anciano

Anciano is a term used in Spanish to denote a person who is advanced in age, functioning as both a noun for "an elderly person" and as an adjective meaning "old" or "elderly." In Italian the cognate term is anziano; anciano is not standard in Italian but may appear in multilingual texts. In English-language usage, anciano is primarily found in ethnographic, anthropological, or religious writing as a loanword.

As a noun, anciano can carry neutral or respectful connotations; contexts may vary by region. In everyday Spanish, more neutral alternatives such as persona mayor or adulto mayor are common in some countries, while anciano can be polite when referring to an elder family member or community figure.

Culturally, elders often hold a central role in family and community life, preserving memory, customs, and knowledge. In some religious or communal settings, the term anciano can refer to a leadership role akin to an elder or presbyter.

Demographically, many societies face aging populations due to longer life expectancy and lower birth rates. This raises policy concerns around healthcare, pensions, long-term care, and social inclusion. Efforts commonly focus on promoting active and independent aging, accessibility, and protection against elder abuse or discrimination.

See also: elder, elderly, aging, senescence, ageism.