vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Viejo" is an adjective which is often translated as "old", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "viejo" and "a" below.
viejo, el viejo, la vieja(
byeh
-
hoh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (elderly)
a. old
Era viejo, pero probablemente no tan viejo como aparentaba.He was old, but probably not as old as he looked.
2. (not new)
a. old
¿Debería quedarme con mi coche viejo o comprarme uno nuevo?Should I keep my old car or buy a new one?
3. (worn out)
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
4. (old person)
a. old man (masculine)
Es un viejo, pero también un pescador experimentado.He is an old man as well as an experienced fisherman.
5. (colloquial) (friend)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. pal (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Qué hay de nuevo, viejo?What's up, pal?
b. buddy (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Qué haces por aquí, viejo?What are you doing around here, buddy?
c. mate (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡Hola, viejo! ¡Mucho tiempo sin verte!Hello, mate! It's been a while!
6. (colloquial) (mother or father)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. dad (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mi viejo no me para de fastidiar.My dad won't stop nagging me.
b. mom (colloquial) (feminine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Vivo con mi vieja y mi hermana en Inglaterra.I live with my mom and my sister in England.
7. (colloquial) (spouse) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. old man (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mi viejo trabaja doce horas, así que no llega a casa hasta pasadas las siete.My old man works twelve-hour day shifts so he doesn't get home until after seven.
b. old lady (colloquial) (feminine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mi vieja y yo estamos buscando un sitio mejor para vivir.My old lady and I are trying to find a better place to live.
los viejos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
8. (colloquial) (mother and father)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. parents
A mis viejos no les interesa tener un teléfono inteligente.My parents aren't interested in having a smartphone.
b. folks (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Sus viejos no piensan ir a la boda porque les queda muy lejos.Her folks aren't planning to go to the wedding because it's too far for them.
9. (colloquial) (senior citizens)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. old people
Los cambios que quiere implementar el gobierno beneficiarán a los viejos.The changes the government wants to bring in will benefit old people.
b. the elderly
Nuestra sociedad debería respetar más a los viejos.Our society should have more respect for the elderly.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
