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 is a polite, neutral way to describe someone who is older. Often used as a modifier with の.
Common collocations
- 年配の方: older person (polite)
- 年配の男性: older man
- 年配の女性: older woman
- 年配の客: older customer
- 年配者: older person (slightly formal)
Similar words
- お年寄り: elderly person (common, warm/respectful)
- 高齢者: senior citizen (formal, official/medical contexts)
- 老人: old person (can sound blunt or clinical)
Usage
Covers people from late middle age up, and can be relative: 私より年配の人 (someone older than me). The politest form is ご年配の方. More polite than 老人 and less formal than 高齢者, making it suitable for everyday conversation.