養老
Meanings
provision for the elderly; preparation for old age; supporting older people
A formal noun meaning care, support, or arrangements for elderly people or for one's own old age. In modern usage it is especially likely in compounds such as 養老施設 or 養老保険 rather than casual standalone conversation.
The local government is improving facilities for the elderly.
I took out endowment insurance to prepare for my old age.
spending one's old age in comfort; comfortable retirement
A literary or formal use referring to living out one's later years peacefully and comfortably. Modern everyday Japanese more often says 老後を過ごす or 老後を安楽に送る.
He chose his hometown as the place to spend his old age in comfort.
Yōrō era; Japanese era from 717 to 724
Historical era-name use: 養老 refers to the Japanese nengō from 717.11.17 to 724.2.4, during the Nara period.
Yōrō is one of the era names from the Nara period.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が養老院に入るfor someone to enter a home for the elderly
My grandmother is going to enter a home for the elderly.
- 養老〈数〉年the nth year of the Yōrō era
This temple was built in the second year of the Yōrō era.
- 養老保険に加入するto take out whole life (endowment) insurance
My father took out whole life insurance for the future.