老朽(ろうきゅう)

ろうきゅう
noun; verb (する)
dilapidation; deterioration from age
1. dilapidation, deterioration from age, decay
The condition of something becoming old and deteriorated through age and wear. Primarily used for buildings, infrastructure, and equipment — not for living things.
老朽(ろうきゅう)した建物(たてもの)を取(と)り壊(こわ)す。
Demolish a dilapidated building.
インフラの老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か)が深刻(しんこく)な問題(もんだい)になっている。
The deterioration of infrastructure is becoming a serious problem.
老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か)した水道管(すいどうかん)の交換(こうかん)工事(こうじ)には莫大(ばくだい)な費用(ひよう)がかかるため、自治体(じちたい)の財政(ざいせい)を圧迫(あっぱく)している。
Replacing deteriorated water pipes requires enormous costs, putting pressure on municipal finances.

USAGE NOTE:
Almost always used with 化(か) (= becoming ~) as 老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か). Applied to physical structures and equipment, not to people. A common topic in Japanese news, particularly regarding aging infrastructure.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か) (aging, deterioration)
  • 老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か)した (deteriorated, dilapidated)
  • 老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か)が進(すす)む (deterioration advances)
  • 老朽(ろうきゅう)化(か)対策(たいさく) (measures against deterioration)
  • 老朽(ろうきゅう)施設(しせつ) (aging facilities)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 劣化(れっか): degradation, deterioration (broader; can apply to quality, materials, or data)
  • 荒廃(こうはい): ruin, devastation (implies more severe decay or abandonment)
general
Added 2026.2.27 16:02
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