Translation guide
How to express 'getting old' in Japanese, covering aging of people, things, and abstract concepts.
Describing people becoming older in age.
The most common and neutral way to say 'get old' for people. Literally 'take years'.
年を取ると、体が弱くなる。
As you get old, your body becomes weaker.
彼は年を取った。
He got old.
To age visibly, often implying looking older than one's years. Can be negative.
Can be rude if used directly about someone's appearance.
最近、急に老けたね。
You've aged a lot recently.
A more poetic or positive way to say 'get old', emphasizing the accumulation of years and experience.
歳を重ねるごとに、人生の深みが増す。
As you get older, life's depth increases.
To become an old person. More direct and can sound blunt.
もう年寄りになった気がする。
I feel like I've already become an old person.
Describing objects, technology, or information becoming old or obsolete.
General term for things becoming old, worn, or outdated.
このパソコンは古くなった。
This computer has gotten old.
情報が古くなっている。
The information is getting old.
To become outdated or behind the times.
そのデザインは時代遅れになった。
That design has become old-fashioned.
To go out of fashion or become obsolete, often for trends or customs.
Describing food, organic matter, or materials deteriorating with age.
For food going bad or spoiling.
暑さで食べ物が傷みやすい。
Food gets old quickly in the heat.
To rot or decompose. Stronger than 傷む.
To deteriorate or degrade in quality, used for materials, plastics, etc.
プラスチックは紫外線で劣化する。
Plastic deteriorates with UV light.
Describing emotional bonds or memories becoming distant with time.
For feelings or passion cooling down, often in romantic contexts.
彼への気持ちが冷めた。
My feelings for him have gotten old.
To become estranged or drift apart, for relationships.
昔の友達と疎遠になった。
I've grown apart from my old friends.
The English phrase 'get old' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Use context-appropriate verbs as shown above.
年を取る is neutral for aging in years, while 老ける focuses on visible aging and can be negative. Use 年を取る for general statements.
父は年を取ったが、老けてはいない。
My father has gotten older, but he hasn't aged visibly.
その習慣は廃れてしまった。
That custom has died out.
The milk has gone bad.