Translation guide
The English word 'aged' can refer to people, things, or processes. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
To state how old someone is, or to describe someone as being of a certain age.
Use this counter after a number to say someone's age. It is the most common and neutral way.
He is 30 years old.
a five-year-old child
A formal noun meaning 'age'. Often used in official contexts or when asking about age politely.
Please tell me your age.
Can mean 'age' in casual speech, but is less common than the counter 〜歳. Often used in set phrases.
Maybe it's because of my age, but I get tired easily.
To say that something has been aged, like cheese, wine, or wood, implying improved quality over time.
Refers to the process of aging or maturing, especially for food and drink. Can be used as a noun or verb (熟成する).
Specifically means 'long-aged' or 'long-matured', emphasizing the duration.
long-aged whisky
Literally 'old sake', refers to aged sake. Can be used for other aged alcohols in some contexts.
To refer to someone who is old in age, often with respect or neutrality.
A polite and common term for 'elderly' or 'advanced age'. Used in formal and everyday contexts.
Please give up your seat for elderly people.
Means 'elderly' or 'middle-aged and older'. Slightly softer than 高齢 and often used in conversation.
A more formal or literary term for old age. Often used in official documents or literature.
To specify the age of a person or thing in a descriptive phrase.
Attach 歳の to a number to modify a noun. This is the standard way to say 'aged X'.
a man aged 30
a dog aged 10
The phrase 年取った (としとった) means 'aged' in the sense of 'gotten old' for living beings, but it can sound blunt or negative. Avoid using it for inanimate objects or food.
an aged cat (literally 'a cat that has gotten old')
熟成 (じゅくせい) is aging/maturing, often after fermentation, while 発酵 (はっこう) is fermentation itself. Cheese and wine are 熟成, but bread and beer are 発酵.
fermented food
This wine is well aged.
This aged sake has a mellow flavor.
年配の男性が道を尋ねてきた。
An elderly man asked me for directions.
老齢年金
old-age pension