Translation guide
The period of life when a person is old. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases, with nuances ranging from neutral to respectful or euphemistic.
Referring to old age as a life stage or condition, often in neutral or descriptive contexts.
Commonly used for 'old age' as a life stage, especially when discussing retirement, living arrangements, or future plans. Neutral and widely understood.
老後の生活について考える。
I think about life in old age.
老後に備えて貯金する。
I save money for old age.
A more formal or literary term for old age, often used in medical or academic contexts.
老年になると体力が衰える。
Physical strength declines in old age.
Literally 'advanced age', used in formal or statistical contexts, such as '高齢者' (elderly person). Often appears in compound words.
高齢化社会が進んでいる。
The aging society is advancing.
A poetic or literary term for aging or old age, often used in reflective or philosophical contexts.
老いを感じる瞬間。
A moment when I feel old age.
Expressing old age politely, often when referring to someone else's age or in formal situations.
Honorific form of 高齢, used to show respect when talking about someone's advanced age. Common in formal speech or customer service.
ご高齢の方には席を譲りましょう。
Let's offer our seats to elderly people.
A respectful expression meaning 'to be old' or 'to be advanced in years'. Literally 'to partake of years'. Used to describe someone elderly with deference.
お年を召した方に道を尋ねられた。
An elderly person asked me for directions.
Literally 'to take years', meaning to grow old. Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context. Often used in first person or casual talk.
Using set phrases or proverbs that convey the idea of old age or aging.
An idiom meaning 'the repetitive complaints of old age', used to describe an elderly person's grumbling or rambling.
祖父の老いの繰り言にはもう慣れた。
I've gotten used to my grandfather's old-age ramblings.
老後 (ろうご) is the most common and neutral term for 'old age' as a life stage, especially in personal contexts like retirement. 老年 (ろうねん) is more formal and often used in academic or medical writing. 高齢 (こうれい) is formal and frequently appears in compounds like 高齢者 (elderly person) or 高齢化 (aging population). For everyday conversation about one's own future, 老後 is the best choice.
The literal translation 古い年齢 (furui nenrei) is incorrect and unnatural. Use the terms listed above depending on context.
年を取ると、新しいことを覚えるのが大変だ。
When you get old, it's hard to learn new things.