Italian · People & Family
"Elderly person" in Italian: anziano / anziana
l'anziano / l'anziana
Elderly person in Italian is l'anziano (ahn-TSYAH-noh) masculine and l'anziana feminine. Plural gli anziani is common in public announcements.
On the bus
Cedo il posto a un'anziana.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce anziano / anziana
Say it
ahn-TSYAH-noh
/anˈtsja.no/
Anziano stresses TSYAH: ahn-TSYAH-noh. Z like ts. Anziana is ahn-TSYAH-nah.
"Elderly person" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'anziano / l'anziana | the elderly man / woman Default noun. | Default noun. |
| gli anziani | the elderly Plural / group. | Plural / group. |
| una persona anziana | an elderly person Polite alternative. | Polite alternative. |
| posto per anziani | seat for the elderly Transit. | Transit. |
How to use anziano / anziana in real life
- 1On the bus
Cedo il posto a un'anziana.
I'm giving my seat to an elderly woman.
Un'anziana.
- 2Neighborhood
L'anziano del piano di sotto è gentile.
The elderly man downstairs is kind.
L'anziano.
- 3Clinic
Gli anziani hanno la priorità oggi.
The elderly have priority today.
Gli anziani.
Mistakes English speakers make with anziano / anziana
Incorrect: È un elderly.
Correct: È un anziano / un'anziana.
Use anziano/anziana.
Incorrect: La anziano aspetta.
Correct: L'anziano aspetta. / L'anziana aspetta.
Match gender; elide the article.
Good to know
Giving up a seat for un anziano is expected politeness. News and forms prefer anziani; friends may still say nonno/nonna when they know the person.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Helping on a crowded tram
ChatPal
Quell'anziano cerca posto?
Is that elderly man looking for a seat?
You
Sì, offro il posto all'anziano.
Yes, I'll offer the seat to the elderly man.
ChatPal
Bravo: gli anziani apprezzano.
Good: the elderly appreciate it.
You
È normale.
It's normal.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Elderly person" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Elderly person" in Italian
Masculine and feminine?
Anziano / anziana.
Plural?
Gli anziani / le anziane.
Polite phrase?
Una persona anziana.
Pronunciation?
ahn-TSYAH-noh.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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