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年長ける (としたける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

年長としたける

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

Describes a person becoming older, often with a nuance of advancing in years. Can be used neutrally or with a sense of having aged noticeably.

祖そ父ふも年とし長たけて、以い前ぜんより物もの忘わすれが多おおくなった。
My grandfather has grown old and forgets things more often than before.

年とし長たけてもなお、彼かの女じょは好こう奇き心しんを失うしなわない。

Even as she ages, she never loses her curiosity.

Kanji

年year, counter for years
長long, leader, superior

Similar words

老ふける
老ける also means 'to age' or 'to grow old', but often carries a stronger nuance of looking or becoming old, sometimes with a negative connotation. 年長ける is more neutral and focuses on the passage of years.
年としを取とる
年を取る is the most common and neutral way to say 'to grow old' or 'to age'. 年長ける is less frequent and slightly more literary.

Etymology

Compound of 年 (toshi, 'year, age') and 長ける (takeru, 'to excel at' or 'to be advanced in'). The verb 長ける originally meant 'to grow tall' or 'to excel', and here it indicates advancing in years. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with aging.