Japanese word

老化

Pronunciation

Romajirōka

Meaning

  • nounaging

Example

運動は老化を遅らせます。un dō wa rō ka o oku ra se ma su

Exercise slows aging.

Illustration for 老化 (aging)

More examples

紫外線は肌の老化を早めることがあります。shi gai sen wa hada no rō ka o haya me ru ko to ga a ri ma su

Ultraviolet rays can speed up skin aging.

Core concept

Describes a gradual shift toward an older state as time passes.

Common phrases

  • 老化を防ぐrō ka o fuse gu

    prevent aging

  • 老化を遅らせるrō ka o oku ra se ru

    slow aging

  • 老化が進むrō ka ga susu mu

    aging progresses

Similar words

加齢karei: The process of growing older as the age of a living thing increases.
老いoi: The condition of being or becoming old, usually in a person.
老朽化rōkyūka: The gradual decline of a building, machine, or other object because of age and use.

Definition in Japanese

生物や物が、時間の経過とともに老いて性質が変化すること。sei butsu ya mono ga ji kan no kei ka to to mo ni o i te sei shitsu ga hen ka su ru ko to

Word origin

The Japanese noun 老化 (rōka) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 老 (rō, "old") and 化 (ka, "change into").

Usage tips

  • In English, aging applies not only to people but also to materials such as wood and wine.

Opposites

  • 若返りwakagaerirejuvenationnoun

Related words

  • 老化するrōkasuruageverb

Word lists with this word