Italian · Emotions & Descriptions
"Old" in Italian: vecchio/a
vecchio/a
Old in Italian is vecchio (VEHK-kyoh) masculine and vecchia feminine. Una casa vecchia is an old house. For people, older ages often prefer anziano/a to sound kinder than vecchio.
Apartment description
È un palazzo vecchio ma ristrutturato.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce vecchio/a
Say it
VEHK-kyoh
/ˈvɛk.kjo/
Vecchio stresses VEHK: VEHK-kyoh. Soft chi like ky. Vecchia is VEHK-kyah.
"Old" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| vecchio / vecchia | old Things; sometimes people (can sound blunt). | Things; sometimes people (can sound blunt). |
| vecchi / vecchie | old (plural) Plural agreement. | Plural agreement. |
| anziano / anziana | elderly Politer for people. | Politer for people. |
| antico / antica | ancient / antique History and style—not just worn-out. | History and style—not just worn-out. |
How to use vecchio/a in real life
- 1Apartment description
È un palazzo vecchio ma ristrutturato.
It's an old building but renovated.
Vecchio for the building.
- 2Clothes donation
Do via le scarpe vecchie.
I'm giving away the old shoes.
Vecchie agrees with scarpe.
- 3Photo album
Questa è una foto vecchia di mia nonna.
This is an old photo of my grandmother.
Foto is feminine: vecchia.
Mistakes English speakers make with vecchio/a
Incorrect: Una macchina vecchio.
Correct: Una macchina vecchia.
Feminine noun takes vecchia.
Incorrect: Quel signore è molto vecchio (said bluntly to his face).
Correct: Quel signore è anziano.
Anziano is usually kinder when talking about a person's age.
Good to know
Vecchio is fine for objects and playful nicknames among friends, but describing a stranger as vecchio can sting—anziano is safer. Antico praises history (un borgo antico), not necessarily something worn out.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Browsing a flea market
ChatPal
Ti piace questo orologio vecchio?
Do you like this old watch?
You
Sì, ma cerco una borsa più vecchia, anni Settanta.
Yes, but I'm looking for an older bag, seventies.
ChatPal
Quella valigia vecchia lì potrebbe andare.
That old suitcase there might work.
You
Perfetto: niente troppo vecchio e rotto, però.
Perfect: nothing too old and broken, though.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Old" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Old" in Italian
How does vecchio agree?
Vecchio/vecchia/vecchi/vecchie.
Vecchio or anziano for people?
Anziano is politer for elderly people; vecchio can sound harsh.
What about antico?
Antico means ancient or antique in style—not just old and worn.
How do I say old town?
Often il centro storico, or un borgo antico.
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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