antiguo

ancient

adjective ahn-TEE-gwoh Common

Also means

former

Usage Note

Antiguo before a noun means 'former' (mi antiguo jefe = my former boss), while after a noun it means 'ancient' or 'old' (un edificio antiguo = an old building) — a classic position-driven meaning split. The noun antigüedad means both 'antiquity' and 'seniority' (in a job). Antiguo also appears in el Antiguo Testamento (the Old Testament).

Examples

"Visitamos un antiguo templo romano."

Natural Translation

We visited an ancient Roman temple.

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