Phrase · 🌸 Euphemism and tact
Mi vecino ya está algo entrado en años.
My neighbour is getting on a bit now.
C2euphemism: old ageAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Mideterminermy1st sing.vecinonounneighbourmasc. · sing.yaadverbby nowestá1verbisestar · present · 3rd sing.algo2adverbsomewhatentrado1adjectivegetting on (lit. entered)masc. · sing.en1prepositioninaños1nounyearsaño · masc. · pl..
- entrado → años: entrado en años: getting on
- entrado → vecino: entrado agrees with vecino
- algo → entrado: algo softens the adjective
Word for word: “My neighbour is already somewhat entered in years.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1estar entrado en años = to be getting on in years: a tactful way to say old. Feminine entrada en años. Formal register: impersonalisation, nominalisation and correspondence →
- 2algo before an adjective = somewhat, rather: a further softener. Quantifiers: muy, mucho, poco, bastante, demasiado →
Variations
- Mi vecino ya es una persona mayor.
- Mi vecino ya tiene sus años.
- Mi vecino ya está mayor.