Translation guide
The English word 'old' covers several distinct concepts in Japanese, including age of people/animals, age of objects, former states, and familiarity. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being described and the nuance intended.
Describing a person or animal that has lived for many years
an old man · my old dog · she is getting old
Standard, neutral way to say someone is old (literally 'has taken years'). Can be used for people and animals.
彼は年を取っている。
He is old.
うちの犬は年を取っている。
Our dog is old.
Polite noun for an elderly person. Use when referring to seniors respectfully.
More literary/formal term for being aged, often implying frailty. Not commonly used in casual speech.
彼は老いているが、まだ元気だ。
He is old, but still energetic.
Formal adjective meaning 'elderly', often used in official contexts or news.
高齢の方が優先されます。
Elderly people are given priority.
Describing an object that has existed for a long time or is worn from use
an old house · old clothes · this computer is old
Referring to something that one used to have or a previous state/role
my old job · my old car · my old boyfriend
The most natural way to say 'previous' or 'former' for possessions, jobs, partners, etc. Literally 'before's'.
前の仕事は大変だった。
My old job was tough.
Describing a relationship or acquaintance that has lasted a long time
an old friend · we're old pals
Literally 'from long ago', used to describe long-standing relationships. Very natural for 'old friend'.
彼は昔からの友達です。
He is an old friend (a friend from long ago).
Asking or stating how old someone or something is
How old are you? · a ten-year-old boy
The standard way to ask 'how old' for people and sometimes things. Literally 'how many'.
Describing information, technology, or ideas that are no longer current
old news · that's an old way of thinking
Using 古い (furui) to describe a person is incorrect and can be offensive. 古い is for objects, not living things. Use 年を取っている or お年寄り instead.
前の (mae no) means 'previous' (the one you had before), while 古い (furui) means 'aged' (the thing itself is old). If you say 古い車, it means the car is an old model. If you say 前の車, it means the car you owned previously, regardless of its age.
前の車は新しかった。
My old (previous) car was new.
古いコインを見つけた。
I found an old coin.
祖父はとても年を取っている。
My grandfather is very old.
彼は大学時代からの古い友達だ。
He's an old friend from college.
Here 古い友達 is acceptable because it means 'long-standing friend', not 'aged friend'.
お年寄りに席を譲りましょう。
Let's give up our seats for the elderly.
The most common word for 'old' when referring to inanimate objects, buildings, etc. Implies age or being from the past.
Idiomatic phrase meaning something shows signs of long use or wear, often with a positive nuance of being well-used or experienced.
このギターは年季が入っているね。
This guitar has seen some years, hasn't it?
Means 'old-style' or 'outdated', emphasizing that something is not modern. Often used for technology or systems.
旧式のコンピューターを使っている。
I'm using an old computer (outdated model).
I ran into my old girlfriend.
Prefix meaning 'former' or 'ex-', often used for people (ex-boyfriend, ex-president) or previous states.
元大統領が来日した。
The former president visited Japan.
元彼にメールした。
I texted my ex-boyfriend.
Means 'old' in the sense of 'from long ago', often nostalgic. Can be used for former things but emphasizes the distant past.
昔の友達に手紙を書いた。
I wrote a letter to an old friend (from long ago).
Means 'many years of', emphasizing the duration of a relationship or habit.
長年の友人と再会した。
I reunited with an old friend (of many years).
お子さんはいくつですか？
How old is your child?
More direct way to ask age, literally 'what age'. Slightly more formal than いくつ.
何歳ですか？
How old are you?
Counter for age. Attach to number. For example, 10歳 (じゅっさい) = 10 years old.
10歳の男の子
a ten-year-old boy
Also used for outdated information or ideas. Same word as for aged objects.
それは古いニュースだ。
That's old news.
Means 'outdated' or 'behind the times', stronger than 古い for ideas or fashion.
その考え方は時代遅れだ。
That way of thinking is old-fashioned.
The kanji 老 (rou) appears in words related to aging, like 老人 (roujin, old person) or 老後 (rougo, old age). These are more formal and sometimes carry a nuance of frailty. In casual conversation, 年を取っている or お年寄り are safer choices.
My old (previous) car was new.
The kanji 老 (rou) appears in words related to aging, like 老人 (roujin, old person) or 老後 (rougo, old age). These are more formal and sometimes carry a nuance of frailty. In casual conversation, 年を取っている or お年寄り are safer choices.