Translation guide
The process of growing older, or the state of being old. Japanese expressions vary depending on whether you're talking about people, things, or society, and whether the nuance is neutral, positive, or negative.
Describing the natural process of aging in people, animals, or living things.
The standard, neutral term for biological aging. Used for people, animals, and sometimes objects (like materials).
老化を防ぐ方法を探している。
I'm looking for ways to prevent aging.
老化は自然なプロセスだ。
Aging is a natural process.
A common, everyday phrase meaning 'to grow old' or 'to age'. More colloquial than 老化.
年を取るにつれて、体が弱くなる。
As you age, your body becomes weaker.
彼は年を取っても元気だ。
Even though he's aging, he's still energetic.
A formal, often medical or academic term for the process of aging. Commonly used in compounds like 加齢による変化 (age-related changes).
加齢に伴う記憶力の低下
age-related memory decline
Referring to old age or the condition of being elderly.
A somewhat poetic or literary term for old age, often used in reflective contexts.
老いを感じる瞬間
a moment when you feel your age
A neutral, formal term for advanced age. Used in official contexts like 高齢者 (elderly person).
Similar to 高齢 but more formal and less common. Often used in legal or administrative contexts.
Describing how things change over time, either negatively (deterioration) or positively (maturing, like wine or cheese).
Deterioration over time due to age. Used for buildings, products, materials.
この建物は経年劣化が進んでいる。
This building is showing signs of aging.
Aging in the positive sense of maturing, like cheese, wine, or meat. Also used metaphorically for skills or ideas.
A general, colloquial way to say something gets old or ages. Can be used for objects, but not for people.
この車も古くなったね。
This car has aged, hasn't it?
Referring to the demographic trend of an increasing proportion of elderly people.
The standard term for societal aging. Used in news, policy, and everyday conversation.
日本は高齢化が急速に進んでいる。
Japan's population is aging rapidly.
While 老化 is correct for biological aging, it can sound clinical or blunt when talking about someone directly. Use 年を取る or euphemisms like 歳を重ねる (to accumulate years) in polite conversation.
お年を召す
to grow old (honorific)
老化 emphasizes the decline or changes associated with aging, while 加齢 is a neutral term simply meaning 'advancing in age'. In medical contexts, 加齢 is preferred for objective descriptions.
老化は避けられない。
Aging is inevitable.
人口の高齢化は世界的な問題だ。
The aging of the population is a global issue.
このワインはもっと熟成が必要だ。
This wine needs more aging.
高齢化社会
aging society
老齢年金
old-age pension
熟成したチーズ
aged cheese
ワインを熟成させる
to age wine
The combined issue of low birthrate and aging population, a common phrase in Japanese social discourse.
少子高齢化は深刻な問題だ。
The aging population and low birthrate are serious problems.