Meaning 1potentially disparaging; also found in narrative descriptions · 82%
A woman of advanced age referred to using a nominalized adjective.
Natural examples
Im Märchen lebt die Alte am Waldrand.
In the fairy tale, the old woman lives near the forest.
Die Alte an der Haltestelle sucht ihre Tasche.
The old woman at the bus stop looks for her bag.
Der Junge hilft der Alten über die Straße.
The boy helps the old woman cross the street.
Usage note
Capitalize and decline like an adjective: die Alte, der Alten; plural Alte or die Alten. It can sound disrespectful; ältere Frau is more polite.
Mini-lesson: Alte
A woman of advanced age referred to using a nominalized adjective. Capitalize and decline like an adjective: die Alte, der Alten; plural Alte or die Alten. It can sound disrespectful; ältere Frau is more polite.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «Alte»?