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"Big" is an adjective which is often translated as "grande", and "old" is an adjective which is often translated as "viejo". Learn more about the difference between "big" and "old" below.
big(
bihg
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (large)
2. (meaningful)
a. grande
He made a series of big mistakes that resulted in the destruction of the forest.Cometió una serie de grandes errores que resultaron en la destrucción del bosque.
b. gran
The fact that she hasn't kept her word presents us with a big problem.El hecho de que no ha honrado su palabra nos presenta con un gran problema.
c. grave
There was a big accident on the highway this morning.Hubo un grave accidente en la carretera esta mañana.
3. (important)
a. gran
We have visitors from a big European company who will be touring our factory today.Tenemos visitantes de una gran empresa europea que recorrerán nuestra fábrica hoy.
b. importante
Our biggest client is the publishing company.Nuestro cliente más importante es la editorial.
d. grande
He got the chance to play in the big leagues for the first time when he was 19.Tuvo la oportunidad de jugar en las grandes ligas por primera vez cuando tenía 19 años.
4. (in age)
5. (generous)
a. generoso
It was very big of her to pay for a vacation for all her brothers and sisters.Fue muy generoso de su parte pagarles unas vacaciones a todos sus hermanos.
6. (stingy)
7. (colloquial) (as intensifier)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Don't be such a big idiot!¡Pero no puedes ser semejante pedazo de idiota!
Your brother is just a big bully!¡Qué tan bravucón es tu hermano!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. a lo grande
In order to achieve great results, you need to think big.Para generar grandes resultados, debes pensar a lo grande.
9. (boastfully)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
He always acts big in front of people, but then he's a poor bastard when he's at home.Siempre se da importancia frente a la gente, pero después en su casa es un pobre tipo.
Ricardo gets on my nerves. He talks big, but never gets anything done.Ricardo me crispa. Fanfarronea, pero nunca logra nada.
old(
old
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (not new)
a. viejo
My old printer still works really well.Mi vieja impresora sigue funcionando estupendamente.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I will be fifty years old tomorrow.Mañana cumpliré cincuenta años.
My son is four years old.Mi hijo tiene cuatro años.
3. (antique)
4. (worn)
a. viejo
Even though this old shirt is full of holes, it's still my favorite.Aunque esta camisa vieja tenga agujeros, todavía es mi favorita.
5. (former)
a. antiguo
I'm happily married but still think about my old boyfriend.Estoy felizmente casada pero todavía pienso en mi antiguo novio.
a. viejo
Joe and Peter are old friends who met in college.Joe y Peter son viejos amigos que se conocieron en la universidad.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
He's such a good old dog.Es un buen perro.
We had a grand old time at the party last night.La pasamos requetebien en la fiesta anoche.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
8. (old people)
a. las personas mayores (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The party was a hit for both young and old.La fiesta fue un éxito tanto para los jóvenes como para las personas mayores.
b. los viejos (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).
Social planning should focus more on the needs of the old.La planificación social debería enfocarse más en las necesidades de los viejos.
c. los ancianos (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 are respected in many cultures.En muchas culturas, los ancianos se respetan.
