Old in Different Languages
Discover 'Old' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'old' is a common term that carries significant meaning and cultural importance across the globe. It is a word that connects us to our past, our history, and our heritage. 'Old' is a reminder of the wisdom and experiences that come with time, and the beauty of things that have stood the test of time.
Moreover, the translation of 'old' in different languages can provide insight into how different cultures view and value the concept of age. For instance, in Spanish, 'old' is 'viejo/a', while in French, it is 'vieux/vieille'. In Mandarin Chinese, 'old' is '老', and in Japanese, it is 'お年寄り'. These translations not only reflect linguistic differences but also cultural attitudes towards age and the passage of time.
Exploring the translations of 'old' in different languages can be a fascinating journey into the heart of various cultures and languages. It can help us understand how different societies view and value age, and how they express this concept through their language.
Old
Old in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | oud | ||
| In Afrikaans, 'oud' is also used to refer to a type of wooden shoe originating in the Netherlands. | |||
| Amharic | ያረጀ | ||
| The word | |||
| Hausa | tsoho | ||
| The word “tsoho” refers not only to age but also to an attitude of respect and wisdom associated with the elderly in Hausa culture. | |||
| Igbo | ochie | ||
| Ochie, an Igbo word meaning "old", has the alternate meaning "master" in a specific context | |||
| Malagasy | antitra | ||
| A different word for “antitra” is “fosa”, which can refer to an older male or female, and is sometimes used as a term of respect. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | akale | ||
| The word 'akale' also means 'ancient' or 'old-fashioned' | |||
| Shona | yekare | ||
| The word "yekare" in Shona can also refer to something that is withered or dry. | |||
| Somali | duug ah | ||
| The noun "duug ah" (phonetically spelling) can also refer to "the old ones," that is, "elders" or "ancestors" in the context of storytelling | |||
| Sesotho | tsofetse | ||
| In other contexts, "tsofetse" can also refer to someone who is wise or experienced. | |||
| Swahili | zamani | ||
| The word "zamani" in Swahili is derived from the Arabic word "zamān" which also means "time". | |||
| Xhosa | indala | ||
| The word 'indala' also refers to an elder or wise person who is respected for their knowledge and experience. | |||
| Yoruba | atijọ | ||
| Átijọ is an adjective and noun which besides 'old' can also mean: old person, ancient or elderly | |||
| Zulu | okudala | ||
| The word 'okudala' in Zulu can also refer to something that is established or customary. | |||
| Bambara | kɔrɔ | ||
| Ewe | tsitsi | ||
| Kinyarwanda | kera | ||
| Lingala | mokolo | ||
| Luganda | -kadde | ||
| Sepedi | kgale | ||
| Twi (Akan) | dada | ||
Old in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | قديم | ||
| The word "قديم" (old) in Arabic can also mean "honorable" or "venerable". | |||
| Hebrew | ישן | ||
| "ישן" means both "old" in the sense of age and "old" in the biblical context of "ancient times" | |||
| Pashto | زوړ | ||
| The Pashto word "زوړ" shares roots with the Persian word "زور" meaning "force" or "strength". | |||
| Arabic | قديم | ||
| The word "قديم" (old) in Arabic can also mean "honorable" or "venerable". | |||
Old in Western European Languages
| Albanian | i vjetër | ||
| The Albanian word "i vjetër" has a deeper etymology, deriving from the Proto-Albanian root "*weter" (old), which has cognates in Proto-Indo-European, including Latin "vetus" and Greek "heteomai" (to follow) | |||
| Basque | zaharra | ||
| The Basque word "zaharra" can also mean "ancient", "used", "worn", "rotten", "stale", "tired", "feeble", or "weak". | |||
| Catalan | vell | ||
| The Catalan word «vell» originates from the Latin word «vetulus», which also means «old». | |||
| Croatian | star | ||
| While the word 'star' means 'old' in Croatian, it can also refer to an elderly person, especially an elderly woman. | |||
| Danish | gammel | ||
| Aside from meaning "old", "gammel" can also mean "rotten" or "rancid" in Danish. | |||
| Dutch | oud | ||
| In Dutch, "oud" can also mean "intoxicated" or refer to a type of guitar or lute. | |||
| English | old | ||
| The word "old" has several different etymological origins and alternate meanings, including "long-established," "outdated," and "experienced." | |||
| French | vieux | ||
| "Vieux" is also used as a familiar term of endearment, as in "Ma vieille" (my old lady) or "Mon vieux" (my old man). | |||
| Frisian | âld | ||
| The Frisian word "âld" can also mean "elder" or "senior". | |||
| Galician | vello | ||
| Galician "vello" comes from the Latin "vetulus" meaning "very old," and is related to the English word "veteran." | |||
| German | alt | ||
| The word "alt" in German has cognates in other Germanic languages, like "old" in English and "oud" in Dutch. | |||
| Icelandic | gamall | ||
| Gamall can also be found as the first part of words that suggest a state of old age, such as “gamaldags“, “gamling“, “gamaldur“. | |||
| Irish | sean | ||
| The word 'Sean' in Irish may also refer to the ancient Irish people or to the Irish language, and is sometimes used to describe something 'outdated' or 'traditional'. | |||
| Italian | vecchio | ||
| "Vecchio" can also mean "old-fashioned" or "out-of-date" | |||
| Luxembourgish | al | ||
| Al can also mean "older brother" or "big" and is related to the English word "elder". | |||
| Maltese | qadim | ||
| The word "qadim" can also refer to the ancient Arab calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. | |||
| Norwegian | gammel | ||
| Besides the primary meaning of "old", "gammel" is also used to refer to something "familiar" or "established" | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | velho | ||
| In Portuguese, "velho" can also mean "experienced" or "wise". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | seann | ||
| Derived from Old Irish "sen", it means "venerated" and was often applied in a reverential sense. | |||
| Spanish | antiguo | ||
| The word “antiguo” (old), is derived from the Latin word “ante” (before) and “qui” (who), and can also mean "ancient" or "antique" in Spanish. | |||
| Swedish | gammal | ||
| The Swedish word 'gammal' is linguistically related to the English word 'gammer' (an archaic term for an elderly woman) and the German word 'gammen' (play, merriments, or amusement). | |||
| Welsh | hen | ||
| The Welsh word "hen" is also used to mean "ancient" or "venerable". | |||
Old in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | стары | ||
| The word "стары" can also mean "former" or "old-fashioned" in Belarusian. | |||
| Bosnian | stara | ||
| The Bosnian word 'stara' also means 'elder' and is used to respectfully address an older person. | |||
| Bulgarian | стар | ||
| The word "стар" (old) in Bulgarian has the alternate meaning of "senior". | |||
| Czech | starý | ||
| The word "starý" also denotes "venerable" or "long-established", which is reflected in the names of some of Prague's oldest churches such as Starý kostel Panny Marie před Týnem (literally: "Old Church of Our Lady before Týn"). | |||
| Estonian | vana | ||
| The word "vana" can also refer to an abandoned place or an elder or grandparent. | |||
| Finnish | vanha | ||
| In Finnish 'vanha' also means obsolete, out-of-date and backward | |||
| Hungarian | régi | ||
| The word "régi" not only means "old" and "former" in Hungarian but also "ancient" and "antiquated." | |||
| Latvian | vecs | ||
| The word "vecs" in Latvian comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *wet-, meaning "year" or "time", and is cognate with similar words in other Baltic and Slavic languages. | |||
| Lithuanian | senas | ||
| Senas has cognates in other Indo-European languages, such as Lat. senex, "old man" and Eng. sire. | |||
| Macedonian | стар | ||
| In Macedonian, "стар" (star) also means "elder" or "senior", reflecting the respect and wisdom associated with old age. | |||
| Polish | stary | ||
| The word "stary" also means "ancient" in Polish. | |||
| Romanian | vechi | ||
| The word 'vechi' is derived from the Latin word 'vetus', meaning 'aged' or 'old'. It can also refer to something that is out of date or obsolete. | |||
| Russian | старый | ||
| The word "старый" also has connotations of wisdom, experience, and respect in Russian culture. | |||
| Serbian | стара | ||
| The word "стара" can also mean "ancient", "old-fashioned", or "venerable" in Serbian. | |||
| Slovak | starý | ||
| The word "starý" in Slovak can also mean "ancient" or "outdated". | |||
| Slovenian | star | ||
| The Slavic root of the word "star" also appears in other Slavic languages, such as Russian and Polish. | |||
| Ukrainian | старий | ||
| In addition to meaning "old," "старий" can also mean "respected" or refer to a married man. | |||
Old in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | পুরাতন | ||
| In Bengali, "পুরাতন" can also refer to an "ancestor". | |||
| Gujarati | વૃદ્ધ | ||
| The Gujarati word વૃદ્ધ also refers to a respected learned man and a teacher. | |||
| Hindi | पुराना | ||
| The word 'पुराना' ('old') can also refer to ancient times or to previous lives in the context of reincarnation. | |||
| Kannada | ಹಳೆಯದು | ||
| The word "ಹಳೆಯದು" can also mean "ancient" or "outdated". | |||
| Malayalam | പഴയത് | ||
| The Malayalam word "പഴയത്" not only means "old" but also refers to "ancient" or "outdated". | |||
| Marathi | जुन्या | ||
| "जुन्या" (old) can also refer to someone who is wise and experienced in Marathi. | |||
| Nepali | पुरानो | ||
| The Sanskrit word "purana" can refer to a holy book containing myths and legends that are considered historically true in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. | |||
| Punjabi | ਪੁਰਾਣਾ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පැරණි | ||
| Tamil | பழையது | ||
| பழையது has an alternate meaning of 'experienced'. | |||
| Telugu | పాతది | ||
| In Telugu, "పాతది" also means a concubine, an outcaste, or an ascetic. | |||
| Urdu | پرانا | ||
| The word 'پرانا' also means 'last' or 'ancient' in Urdu. | |||
Old in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 旧 | ||
| The Chinese character 旧 (old) originally meant 'previously' and was later extended to mean 'old'. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 舊 | ||
| 舊, originally meaning 'already, previously', was also an honorific title given to people who served the king. | |||
| Japanese | 古い | ||
| 古い is an adjective meaning "old" in Japanese, however it can also mean "former", "previous", or "past". | |||
| Korean | 낡은 | ||
| The word '낡은' has its roots in the Middle Korean word '낡다', meaning 'to decay'. | |||
| Mongolian | хуучин | ||
| 'Хуучин' can also refer to 'former' and 'outdated'. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အဟောင်း | ||
Old in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | tua | ||
| The word "tua" also has the alternate meanings of "senior" and "ancestor". | |||
| Javanese | lawas | ||
| The word "lawas" can also mean "stale", "long-standing", or "ancient" in Javanese. | |||
| Khmer | ចាស់ | ||
| The Khmer word ចាស់ (chas) also means 'mature', 'experienced', or 'long-standing'. | |||
| Lao | ເກົ່າ | ||
| The word "ເກົ່າ" in Lao derives from the Proto-Tai-Kadai word “*kuːj”, which also meant "old" and has modern reflexes in other languages such as the Vietnamese word "cũ". | |||
| Malay | tua | ||
| Malay "tua" "old" is cognate with "tua" "father" in many Philippine languages indicating seniority. | |||
| Thai | เก่า | ||
| The word "เก่า" can also mean "former" or "previous", as in "เก่าแก่" (old and respected), "อดีต" (former or past), or "เก่าๆ" (old-fashioned). | |||
| Vietnamese | cũ | ||
| "Cũ" may also refer to "the past" or "something no longer needed or wanted." | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | luma | ||
Old in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | köhnə | ||
| The word "köhnə" also means "ancient" or "vintage". | |||
| Kazakh | ескі | ||
| The word "ескі" (old) in Kazakh also means "ancient" or "outdated". | |||
| Kyrgyz | эски | ||
| "Эски" means "old" in Kyrgyz, but it can also mean "former" or refer to a location that was previously inhabited. | |||
| Tajik | сола | ||
| The Tajik word "сола" (old) is also used to refer to the elderly. | |||
| Turkmen | köne | ||
| Uzbek | eski | ||
| In Uzbek, the word "eski" can also mean "veteran" or "former". | |||
| Uyghur | كونا | ||
Old in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | kahiko | ||
| Kahiko also refers to traditional Hawaiian practices or cultural forms. | |||
| Maori | tawhito | ||
| Tawhito can also refer to an ancestor or a historical event or person. | |||
| Samoan | tuai | ||
| The word "tuai" can also mean "ancestor" or "parent" in Samoan. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | matanda na | ||
| The Tagalog word "matanda na" (old) has cognates in other Austronesian languages, such as the Indonesian word "tua" and the Malay word "tua". It also has a secondary meaning of "senior" or "elder", which is reflected in its use as a term of respect for older people. | |||
Old in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | achachi | ||
| Guarani | tuja | ||
Old in International Languages
| Esperanto | malnova | ||
| Malnova and its derivates may also mean "decrepit", "in a poor state", or "decreased in power or quality". | |||
| Latin | veteris | ||
| The term 'veteris' has been used to describe not only old objects but also elderly people and old age. | |||
Old in Others Languages
| Greek | παλαιός | ||
| The term 'παλαιός' may refer to an old person or to ancient or antiquated objects, while 'γηραλέος' denotes old age, and 'πρεσβύτης' an old man. | |||
| Hmong | qub | ||
| The use of "qub" to refer to old age is a euphemism, as it primarily means "the first," "ahead of," or "original." | |||
| Kurdish | kevn | ||
| The word "kevn" in Kurdish can also mean "experienced" or "wise". | |||
| Turkish | eski | ||
| In Turkish, "eski" can also refer to antiquities, obsolete things, or old-fashioned ideas. | |||
| Xhosa | indala | ||
| The word 'indala' also refers to an elder or wise person who is respected for their knowledge and experience. | |||
| Yiddish | אַלט | ||
| The Yiddish word "אַלט" not only means "old," but can also be used as a noun to refer to an altar, or as an adjective to describe something as serious or solemn. | |||
| Zulu | okudala | ||
| The word 'okudala' in Zulu can also refer to something that is established or customary. | |||
| Assamese | বুঢ়া | ||
| Aymara | achachi | ||
| Bhojpuri | बूढ़ | ||
| Dhivehi | އުމުރުން ދުވަސްވީ | ||
| Dogri | पराना | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | luma | ||
| Guarani | tuja | ||
| Ilocano | nataengan | ||
| Krio | ol | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | بەتەمەن | ||
| Maithili | पुरान | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯑꯔꯤꯕ | ||
| Mizo | upa | ||
| Oromo | moofaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ପୁରୁଣା | ||
| Quechua | machu | ||
| Sanskrit | वृद्धः | ||
| Tatar | карт | ||
| Tigrinya | ዓብይ | ||
| Tsonga | khale | ||
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