高齢者(こうれいしゃ)

こうれいしゃ
noun
elderly person; senior citizen
formalperson
1. elderly person; senior citizen
A formal term for an older person, typically referring to those aged 65 and over. Widely used in official, medical, and media contexts.
高齢者(こうれいしゃ)が増(ふ)えている。
The number of elderly people is increasing.
高齢者(こうれいしゃ)向(む)けのサービスが充実(じゅうじつ)してきた。
Services aimed at senior citizens have become more comprehensive.
この地域(ちいき)では高齢者(こうれいしゃ)の一人暮(ひとりぐ)らしが深刻(しんこく)な問題(もんだい)になっている。
In this area, elderly people living alone has become a serious problem.

Usage

A formal, neutral term used in news, government documents, and healthcare. In Japan, 高齢者(こうれいしゃ) generally refers to people aged 65 and over, following the definition used by the World Health Organization and Japanese government policy.

Common collocations

  • 高齢者(こうれいしゃ)福祉(ふくし) (elderly welfare)
  • 高齢者(こうれいしゃ)介護(かいご) (elderly care)
  • 高齢者(こうれいしゃ)向(む)け (aimed at seniors)
  • 後期(こうき)高齢者(こうれいしゃ) (people aged 75 and over)

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: シニア (loanword, casual)
Compare: 老人(ろうじん) (a more direct term that some consider…)
Compare: 年配(ねんぱい) (elderly, older)
Compare: 中高年(ちゅうこうねん) (middle-aged and older people)
general
Added 2026.3.8 15:39 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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