年 配(ねんぱい)

ねんぱい

noun

elderly, older

1. elderly, older, advanced in years

Describes someone who is relatively old. A polite and neutral way to refer to older people, more respectful than alternatives.

年配(ねんぱい)の方(かた)に席(せき)を譲(ゆず)る。

To give up one's seat to an elderly person.

年配(ねんぱい)の男性(だんせい)が話(はな)しかけてきた。

An elderly man spoke to me.

この店(みせ)は年配(ねんぱい)の客(きゃく)が多(おお)い。

This shop has many older customers.

年配(ねんぱい) is a polite, neutral way to describe someone who is older. Often used as a modifier with の.

Common collocations

年配(ねんぱい)の方(かた): older person (polite)
年配(ねんぱい)の男性(だんせい): older man
年配(ねんぱい)の女性(じょせい): older woman
年配(ねんぱい)の客(きゃく): older customer
年配(ねんぱい)者(しゃ): older person (slightly formal)

Similar words

年配(ねんぱい): elderly, older (polite, neutral — most versatile)
お年寄(としよ)り: elderly person (common, warm/respectful)
高齢者(こうれいしゃ): senior citizen (formal, official/medical contexts)
老人(ろうじん): old person (can sound blunt or clinical)

Usage

Generally refers to people in their 50s-70s or older. More polite than 老人(ろうじん) and less formal than 高齢者(こうれいしゃ), making it suitable for everyday conversation.

Related Words

Compare: 高齢者(こうれいしゃ) (senior citizen)

Compare: 老人(ろうじん) (old person)

general

Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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