老

JLPT N3

old

Readings

On’yomi: ロウ (rō)

Kun’yomi: お(いる), ふ(ける) (o(iru), fu(keru))

• お(いる) – to grow old • ふ(ける) – to age, to become old (physically or in time, e.g., night grows

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

老人

ろうじん

elderly person

老いる

おいる

grow old

老化

ろうか

aging

老後

ろうご

old age

老人会

ろうじんかい

seniors club

Example Sentences

老人です。

ろうじんです。

He is elderly.

年を老います。

としをおいます。

I grow old.

老化です。

ろうかです。

It is aging.

老後です。

ろうごです。

It is old age.

老人会です。

ろうじんかいです。

It is a seniors club.

Cultural Note

🎌 In Japanese culture, aging is associated with wisdom and dignity. The word “敬老の日” (Respect for the Aged Day) reflects deep social respect toward elders. Unlike in some cultures where aging may be viewed negatively, in Japan, 老 carries an honorable tone — symbolizing experience and life’s depth.