Japanese word

高齢

Pronunciation

Romajikōrei

Meaning

  • nounold age

Example

高齢になると、疲れやすくなります。kō rei ni na ru to tsuka re ya su ku na ri ma su

As people reach old age, they get tired more easily.

Illustration for 高齢 (old age)

More examples

医師は、高齢の患者にも分かりやすく説明します。i shi wa kō rei no kan ja ni mo wa ka ri ya su ku setsu mei shi ma su

Doctors explain things clearly even to elderly patients.

Core concept

It points to a later stage of life marked by having lived many years, rather than to a person's exact age.

Common phrases

  • 高齢の人kō rei no hito

    elderly person

  • 高齢になるkō rei ni na ru

    reach old age

  • 高齢でもkō rei de mo

    even in old age

Similar words

高齢者kōreisha: A person whose age places them in a later stage of life.
年配nenpai: An older person or group viewed by comparison with the surrounding age range.

Definition in Japanese

年を多く重ねた年齢。また、その年齢にある状態。toshi o ō ku kasa ne ta nen rei ma ta so no nen rei ni a ru jō tai

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 高齢 (kōrei) combines 高 (kō, "high") with 齢 (rei, "age") to express an advanced age.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 高齢 (kōrei) often describes a life stage or age group, while 高齢者 (kōreisha) is the usual noun for an older person.

Opposites

  • 若年jakunenyoung agenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word