alt
old
Having reached an advanced age or having existed for a long time.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Schloss ist über 500 Jahre alt.
This castle is over 500 years old.
alt
old
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Meanings
alt
old
Not new, used, or originating from an earlier time.
EXAMPLE
Er zog ein altes Hemd für die Gartenarbeit an.
He put on an old shirt for gardening.
alt
former
Former, previous. Refers to a state or relationship in the past.
EXAMPLE
Gestern habe ich zufällig meine alte Grundschullehrerin getroffen.
Yesterday I happened to run into my former elementary school teacher.
alt
stale
No longer fresh, especially with foods such as bread or pastries.
EXAMPLE
Das Brot von vorgestern ist schon ziemlich alt und hart.
The bread from the day before yesterday is already pretty stale and hard.
alt
old
Used in forms of address to express a familiar, long-standing relationship.
EXAMPLE
Na, du alter Freund, wie geht es dir denn so?
Well, old friend, how are you doing?
Usage tips
Comparative forms
When forming comparisons with 'alt' (old), the vowel changes to an umlaut: 'alt, älter, am ältesten' (old, older, oldest). This change is important for correct comparative sentences.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist älter als ich.
My brother is older than me.
Context clue
The exact meaning of 'alt' depends strongly on the noun. 'Altes Brot' (stale bread) is no longer fresh, an 'altes Auto' (old car) is used, and an 'altes Schloss' (old castle) has a long history.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Brot ist leider schon alt und hart.
Unfortunately, this bread is already stale and hard.
Stating age
To state the age of people or things, you use the fixed structure: subject + 'sein' (to be) + [number] 'Jahre' (years) + 'alt' (old).
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater ist neunzig Jahre alt geworden.
My grandfather turned ninety years old.
Meaning 'former'
In the meaning of 'ehemalig' (former), 'alt' almost always stands directly before the noun. It describes something that belonged to an earlier phase of life.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe am Wochenende einen alten Schulfreund getroffen.
I met an old school friend at the weekend.
Familiar form of address
In the combination 'alter/alte + noun', 'alt' can express affection and a long acquaintance. It is a very informal and friendly expression.
EXAMPLE
Na, du alte Schlafmütze, bist du endlich wach?
Well, you old sleepyhead, are you finally awake?
Compare with
alt vs jährig
year-old / year-long
For a precise statement of age, “jährig” is typically used with a number directly before a noun. “Alt,” by contrast, is used in the fixed predicative form “Jahre alt.” So you say “ein zehnjähriger Hund” (a ten-year-old dog), but “der Hund ist zehn Jahre alt” (the dog is ten years old).
alt
Der Hund meiner Nachbarin ist zehn Jahre alt.
My neighbor’s dog is ten years old.
jährig
Meine Nachbarin hat einen zehnjährigen Hund.
My neighbor has a ten-year-old dog.
In real life
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