Japanese word

老い

Pronunciation

Romajioi

Meaning

  • nounaging

Example

私は自分の老いを感じます。watashi wa ji bun no o i o kan ji ma su

I feel myself aging.

Illustration for 老い (aging)

More examples

鏡を見るたびに、自分の老いを意識します。kagami o mi ru ta bi ni ji bun no o i o i shiki shi ma su

I become aware of my own aging whenever I look in the mirror.

Core concept

Describes growing old as a gradual change that becomes part of a person's life.

Common phrases

  • 老いを感じるo i o kan ji ru

    feel one's age

  • 老いを受け入れるo i o u ke i re ru

    accept aging

  • 老いを恐れるo i o oso re ru

    fear aging

Similar words

加齢karei: The natural increase in age over time.
老化rōka: The gradual decline in physical or mental function that can come with growing older.

Definition in Japanese

年齢を重ねる過程で生じる心身の変化や、その状態。nen rei o kasa ne ru ka tei de shō ji ru shin shin no hen ka ya so no jō tai

Word origin

The noun 老い (oi, "aging") comes from the continuative form of the native verb 老ゆ (oyu, "to grow old").

Usage tips

  • Compared with the everyday expression 年を取る (toshi o toru), 老い (oi) often sounds more formal and reflective.

Other meanings

  • old agenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word