Translation guide
The process of growing old, or the state of being old. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you're talking about people, things, or the abstract concept.
Describing the natural process of getting older, often with a neutral or positive nuance.
The standard term for biological ageing, often used in medical or scientific contexts. Can be used for both people and animals.
老化を防ぐ方法を探しています。
I'm looking for ways to prevent ageing.
老化は自然なプロセスです。
Ageing is a natural process.
A more formal or clinical term for the passage of years, often used in medical or demographic contexts. Emphasizes the increase in age rather than the decline.
加齢による体力の低下は避けられない。
A decline in physical strength due to ageing is unavoidable.
The most common everyday phrase meaning 'to grow old' or 'to age'. Neutral and widely used in conversation.
年を取ると、時間が早く感じる。
As you get older, time seems to pass faster.
父もずいぶん年を取った。
My father has aged a lot.
A more poetic or positive way to say 'to age', emphasizing the accumulation of years and experience. Often used in formal speeches or writing.
歳を重ねるごとに、人生の深みが増す。
As you age, the depth of life increases.
Describing the condition or appearance of being elderly.
The noun for 'old age' or 'ageing' as a state. Can be used poetically or in everyday language.
老いは誰にでも訪れる。
Old age comes to everyone.
彼の顔には老いの兆しが見える。
Signs of ageing are visible on his face.
Refers to advanced age, often used in formal or statistical contexts. More neutral than '老い'.
Describing the process of deterioration or maturation over time for non-living things.
Technical term for deterioration over time due to ageing. Used for materials, buildings, etc.
この建物は経年劣化が激しい。
This building has severe ageing deterioration.
Positive ageing, like maturing of cheese, wine, or skills. Implies improvement over time.
Loanword from English, used specifically for ageing of materials like metal or wood, or in audio equipment (burn-in).
Referring to the demographic trend of an increasing proportion of elderly people.
The standard term for societal ageing. Used in news, policy, and everyday discussion.
日本は高齢化が急速に進んでいる。
Japan's population is ageing rapidly.
老化 (rouka) is the biological process of ageing, often with a nuance of decline. 加齢 (karei) is the clinical increase in age, neutral. 年を取る (toshi o toru) is the everyday phrase for getting older, used in casual conversation.
老化防止の化粧品
anti-ageing cosmetics
加齢に伴う変化
changes associated with ageing
年を取るのは悪いことじゃない。
Getting older isn't a bad thing.
老化 implies deterioration. For positive ageing of food or drink, use 熟成 (jukusei). For people, 老化 can sound negative if used carelessly; prefer 年を取る in casual contexts.
高齢化社会が進んでいる。
The ageing of society is progressing.
このワインは熟成に10年かかった。
This wine took 10 years to age.
ギターの木材をエージングする。
Age the wood of the guitar.