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'.
As you get old, your body becomes weaker.
To age visibly, often implying looking older than one's years. Can be negative.
Can be rude if used directly about someone's appearance.
You've aged a lot recently.
A more poetic or positive way to say 'get old', emphasizing the accumulation of years and experience.
As you get older, life's depth increases.
To become an old person. More direct and can sound blunt.
I feel like I've already become an old person.
Describing objects, technology, or information becoming old or obsolete.
Describing food, organic matter, or materials deteriorating with age.
Describing emotional bonds or memories becoming distant with time.
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.
My father has gotten older, but he hasn't aged visibly.
That design has become old-fashioned.
その習慣は廃れてしまった。
That custom has died out.
牛乳が腐った。
The milk has gone bad.