What's the difference between "viejo", "mayor", and "anciano"????
2
votes
What's the difference between "viejo", "mayor", and "anciano"???? Which of these do I used to describe something and/or someone old in Latin America??
7788 views
updated MAR 21, 2010
posted by SeaShelly544
3 Answers
2
votes
Probably the same differences as there are between old, older and ancient in English.
You could be a newborn less than an hour old and be a hermano(a) mayor.
updated MAR 21, 2010
edited by 0074b507
posted by 0074b507
1
vote
I am not sure but I think "anciano" has less negative connotations than "ancient".
And "mayor" is more respectful.
Let the native speakers clear this up.
updated MAR 21, 2010
edited by ian-hill
posted by ian-hill
Sure it is only a typo but don't you mean mayor rather than meyor? - kenwilliams, MAR 21, 2010
Yes Ken - typing "mayor" and thinking "mejor" - ian-hill, MAR 21, 2010
1
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In addition to what Q says, it's more polite to refer to older people as "ancianos." The term "viejos" for people is impolite.
updated MAR 21, 2010
posted by --Mariana--
