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.
高齢者が増えている。
The number of elderly people is increasing.
高齢者向けのサービスが充実してきた。
Services aimed at senior citizens have become more comprehensive.
この地域では高齢者の一人暮らしが深刻な問題になっている。
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 generally refers to people aged 65 and over, following the definition used by the World Health Organization and Japanese government policy.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 高齢者福祉 (elderly welfare)
- 高齢者介護 (elderly care)
- 高齢者向け (aimed at seniors)
- 後期高齢者 (people aged 75 and over)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- お年寄り: a softer, everyday term for elderly people
- 老人: a more direct term that some consider less respectful in modern usage