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"An" is an indefinite article which is often translated as "un", and "old man" is a noun which is often translated as "el anciano". Learn more about the difference between "an" and "old man" below.
an(
ahn
)An indefinite article is a word that indicates that a noun is not specific (e.g., a girl).
1. (general)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
old man(
old
mahn
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el anciano (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The old man worried that he might break his hip if he slipped on the ice.El anciano temía romperse la cadena si se resbalaba en el hielo.
b. el viejo (M) (colloquial)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
The old man who lives next door to me asked me to help him clean his garage.El viejo que vive en la casa de al lado me pidió que le ayudara a limpiar su garaje.
2. (colloquial) (relative)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. el padre (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My old man told me that he would punish me if I arrived home later than 8 pm.Mi padre me dijo que me castigaría si llegaba a casa más tarde de las 8 pm.
3. (colloquial) (husband)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. el esposo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I have to prepare dinner before my old man returns home from work.Tengo que preparar la cena antes de que mi esposo regrese a casa del trabajo.
b. el marido (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My old man works two jobs so that I can stay home and take care of the children.Mi marido tiene dos trabajos para que yo pueda quedarme en casa y cuidar a los niños.
c. el viejo (M) (colloquial) (Mexico)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
My old man bought me new jewelry for our anniversary.Mi viejo me compró joyas nuevas por nuestro aniversario.
