alt
Mein Großvater ist schon sehr alt.
My grandfather is already very old.
Having lived for a long time; not young
Der Baum ist über 200 Jahre alt.
The tree is over 200 years old.
Sie trägt ein altes Kleid.
She is wearing an old dress.
Used for people, animals, objects, or abstract concepts (e.g., ideas, traditions).
Former; previous
Mein alter Lehrer war sehr streng.
My former teacher was very strict.
Often used with nouns to indicate something no longer current or in use.
Aged; mature (e.g., wine, cheese)
Dieser Käse ist besonders alt und würzig.
This cheese is especially aged and flavorful.
Common in culinary contexts.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Age vs. Newness
Use 'alt' for something that has existed for a long time (e.g., 'ein altes Haus' = an old house) and 'neu' for something recent (e.g., 'ein neues Auto' = a new car). Avoid confusion with 'frisch' (fresh), which implies recentness in a different way.
Gold Rule
Adjective Declension
As an adjective, 'alt' must be declined based on gender, number, and case. Example: 'ein alter Mann' (masculine nominative), 'die alte Frau' (feminine nominative), 'das alte Haus' (neuter nominative), 'die alten Bücher' (plural nominative).
Word Origin
From Middle High German *alt*, from Old High German *alt*, from Proto-Germanic *aldaz*, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- ("grow, nourish"). Cognates include English *old*, Dutch *oud*, Swedish *gammal*, and Latin *altus* ("high").
Usage Notes
1. 'Alt' is used for both people and objects, but context determines whether it implies 'aged' (positive, e.g., wine) or 'outdated' (negative, e.g., technology). 2. In formal writing, 'betagt' may replace 'alt' for elderly people. 3. For objects, 'gebraucht' (used) is often preferred in commercial contexts.