(わかがえ)

わかがえる
verb, godan
to rejuvenate; to look younger
1. to rejuvenate; to become young again
To become youthful again or appear younger than before. Used for both physical appearance and the revitalization of organizations, communities, or things.
髪型(かみがた)()えたら若返(わかがえ)った。
I looked younger after changing my hairstyle.
運動(うんどう)(はじ)めてから、十歳(じゅっさい)若返(わかがえ)った()がする。
Since I started exercising, I feel like I've gotten ten years younger.
新入社員(しんにゅうしゃいん)(はい)って、職場(しょくば)雰囲気(ふんいき)がぐっと若返(わかがえ)った。
With the new employees joining, the workplace atmosphere became noticeably more youthful.

若返(わかがえ)る is an intransitive godan verb. The transitive counterpart is 若返(わかがえ)らせる (to make something/someone younger).

ASPECT (ている):
若返(わかがえ)っている indicates the resulting state of looking or being younger.

PARTICLE PATTERNS:

  • [person]が若返(わかがえ)る (someone rejuvenates)
  • [number](さい)若返(わかがえ)る (become N years younger)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 気持(きも)ちが若返(わかがえ)る (feel rejuvenated)
  • (はだ)若返(わかがえ)る (skin becomes youthful)
  • 組織(そしき)若返(わかがえ)る (an organization gets younger members)

Can be used figuratively for organizations and communities that gain new, younger members or adopt a fresher approach. The noun form 若返(わかがえ)り means rejuvenation.