矍鑠(かくしゃく)

かくしゃく
na-adjective
hale and hearty, vigorous in old age
formalagehealth
1. hale and hearty, vigorous in old age
Describes elderly people who remain energetic, healthy, and mentally sharp despite their advanced age.
祖父(そふ)は90歳(さい)でも矍鑠(かくしゃく)としている。
My grandfather is hale and hearty even at 90.
矍鑠(かくしゃく)たる老人(ろうじん)が毎朝(まいあさ)ジョギングをしている。
A vigorous old man jogs every morning.
彼女(かのじょ)は80代(だい)とは思(おも)えないほど矍鑠(かくしゃく)としていて、毎日(まいにち)庭(にわ)の手入(てい)れをしている。
She is so hale and hearty you wouldn't believe she's in her 80s, tending to her garden every day.

A literary and somewhat formal term used to praise elderly people who remain mentally and physically vigorous.

Common patterns

  • 矍鑠(かくしゃく)としている (is hale and hearty)
  • 矍鑠(かくしゃく)たる〜 (hale and hearty ~, literary)
  • 矍鑠(かくしゃく)とした老人(ろうじん) (a vigorous elderly person)

Usage

This is a complimentary term exclusively used for elderly people. The kanji are rare and difficult, so the word is often written in hiragana. It conveys admiration for those who defy the typical expectations of aging.

Related Words

Related: 壮健(そうけん) (healthy, robust, sound)
general
Added 2026.2.4 15:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09500/09902_kakushaku