1.
men and women of all ages, everyone regardless of age or gender
A four-character compound meaning people of all ages and genders — literally "old, young, male, female." Used to emphasize that something includes or applies to everyone without exception.
老若男女に愛される映画だ。
It's a film loved by people of all ages.
この祭りには老若男女問わず参加できる。
Anyone can participate in this festival, regardless of age or gender.
このゲームは老若男女を問わず楽しめるように設計されており、操作も簡単だ。
This game is designed to be enjoyable by people of all ages and genders, and the controls are simple.
READING NOTE:
The reading ろうにゃくなんにょ uses the Buddhist-influenced pronunciation にゃく (for 若) and にょ (for 女). This is a set four-character compound — the reading cannot be changed.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 老若男女問わず (regardless of age or gender)
- 老若男女に人気がある (popular with everyone)
- 老若男女が集まる (people of all ages gather)
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 誰でも: anyone (simpler, more casual)
- 万人: everyone, all people (literary)