gordo/flaco or gordo/delgado

Question

I have been studying opposites and came across two words for thin, "flaco" and "delgado." Is there a difference, and when would you use each one. Also for old I have seen "mayor" and "viejo." What is the difference here and when would I use one or the other? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Actually, delgado is polite!

• Flaco will be rude unless it comes from a person very close related to a slim person who is using it in a cute/friendly/loving way. I.E ¿Flaco, hiciste la tarea?, ¿Flaca, que vas a hacer esta tarde?

• I will put this expression ALMOST at the same level as "gordo" and "gorda". ¡Uy gorda, como estás de linda!, ¡Ay gordo, ayúdame a lavar el carro! -- These words are absolutely okay in Spanish when used between people that have a close or special connection/realtionship. Otherwise, will be totally rude. ( I said ALMOST because women are more prompt to get offended by them than men)

• I can tell you by experience. I was very thin when I was a youngster (Not that I am overweight now), and it was infuriating when someone that I didn't know called me "flaco"

• Un hombre flaco or una mujer flaca is rude
• Un hombre delgado or una mujer delgada is a very polite way to point at someone.

...unless it comes from a very close friend and they are using it as a cute way,,, - JoyceM, May 23, 2012

"A very close person" is a person who stands very close to you. - JoyceM, May 23, 2012

....unless it is coming from/unless it comes from a very close friend who is using it in a cute way - sinsonte, May 23, 2012

Sound like delgado is the more polite way to say it, thanks for your time! - RichSean1725, May 23, 2012

My pleasure! - farallon7, May 23, 2012

Thanks sinsonte! - farallon7, May 23, 2012

Answer 2

"Delgado" is more like "thin" and "flaco" is "skinny."

"Viejo" is a little disrespectful when used as a noun, but it´s OK as an adjective.

"Mayor de edad" and "anciano" are more polite.

Interesting, muchas gracias! - RichSean1725, May 23, 2012

Viejecito, viejecita are other cute, tender ways to point out some one who is old. Delgado could also be a last name. Go figure! - farallon7, May 23, 2012

I agree. Diminutives are like that. You can even call someone "cabroncito" and usually he won be offended, however, best to know him well - 005faa61, May 26, 2012

Answer 3

Un cometario, las parejas de antónimos son (al menos como me las sé yo):

gordo/flaco (fat/skinny)

grueso/delgado (thick/thin)

Muchas gracias! - RichSean1725, May 23, 2012

Answer 4

In knew a guy in Puerto Rico that called everybody "flaco" or "flaca" kind of as a term of endearment, (Oye, flaco, ven acá...) even if they weren't very "skinny!" I agree that "delgado" would be more polite and mean "thin," as opposed to "flaco" meaning "skinny" and being less polite. Good question!

Interesting, muchas gracias! - RichSean1725, May 23, 2012

Answer 5

Delgado and Flaco are the same

delgado y flaco

Mayor to me seems more polite. Like saying 'older' an 'older person' as opposed to 'old'

That's what I think at least.

Muchas gracias! - RichSean1725, May 23, 2012

Delgado and flaco are not the same sinsonte, and mayor is just the short way to say "mayor de edad" - farallon7, May 23, 2012