齢よわいを重かさねる

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

grow old; age; accumulate years

A somewhat literary or formal expression for aging, emphasizing the accumulation of years. Often used in reflective or respectful contexts.

Written forms

齢よわいを重かさねる
Standard kanji form; 齢 is a somewhat formal character for 'age'.
よわいを重かさねる
Kana spelling for the first part, used when the kanji 齢 is considered difficult or for emphasis.

Kanji

齢age
重heavy, important, esteem

Similar words

年としを取とる
年を取る is the common, everyday expression for 'to grow old'. 齢を重ねる is more literary and emphasizes the accumulation of years with a nuance of maturity or dignity.
老おいる
老いる is a more direct verb for 'to age' or 'to become old', often with a focus on physical decline. 齢を重ねる is less about decline and more about the passage of time.

Etymology

From 齢 (よわい, 'age') + を + 重ねる (かさねる, 'to pile up, accumulate'). The phrase literally means 'to pile up years', a metaphorical expression for growing older.