VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
adjectivenounnoun

vieil

old

Mot qui décrit une personne ou une chose qui a beaucoup d’années ou qui n’est plus jeune.

The word "vieil" in French is a form of the adjective "vieux," which means "old."

Explanation:

  • "Vieil" is the masculine singular form used before a vowel or a mute h to make pronunciation easier and smoother.
  • It means "old" as in describing age or longstanding existence.

Usage:

  • vieil homme = old man (here "vieil" is used instead of "vieux" because "homme" starts with a vowel sound)
  • vieux livre = old book (here "vieux" is used because "livre" starts with a consonant)

Synonyms and differences:

  • Vieux: The regular masculine singular form of "old"
  • Ancien: Also means old but usually refers to something former or previous rather than simply old age (e.g., "ancien professeur" = former teacher)
  • Âgé: More formal and polite, implies advanced age (e.g., "une personne âgée" = an elderly person)

Summary:

  • "Vieil" is a form of "vieux" used before vowels or mute h.
  • Meaning: old (masculine singular)
  • Helps with pronunciation in French sentences.

Make “vieil” part of your vocabulary.

Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Mon voisin a un vieil arbre dans son jardin.adjective

My neighbor has an old tree in his garden.

Ce vieil homme marche lentement.adjective

That old man walks slowly.

Un vieil immeuble se dresse au centre du village.adjective

An old building stands in the center of the village.

As-tu déjà visité ce vieil atelier abandonné ?adjective

Have you ever visited this old abandoned workshop?

Keep exploring French

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play