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.

general
Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.3.31 18:28
10000/10432_nenpai