(としごろ)

としごろ
noun
age; marriageable age; approximate age
1. marriageable age; age of adolescence
The age at which a person is considered old enough for romance or marriage, or the age of puberty and adolescence when one becomes self-conscious.
年頃(としごろ)(むすめ)がいる。
I have a daughter of marriageable age.
年頃(としごろ)になると外見(がいけん)()にし(はじ)める。
When you reach that age, you start caring about your appearance.
年頃(としごろ)()どもは(おや)(はな)したがらないものだ。
Adolescents tend not to want to talk to their parents.
2. approximate age; about that age
Used to indicate an approximate age or the age at which something typically happens.
(おな)年頃(としごろ)()(あそ)ばせたい。
I want to let them play with children around the same age.
あの(かた)五十(ごじゅう)(さい)年頃(としごろ)()える。
That person looks to be around fifty years old.
学校(がっこう)()がる年頃(としごろ)()(おお)地域(ちいき)だ。
It's an area with many children of school-starting age.

USAGE:
Sense 1 is the most common usage, often referring to teenage or young adult years when someone becomes interested in romance. When parents say their child is 年頃(としごろ), it often implies the child is entering puberty or becoming self-conscious. Sense 2 is more neutral, simply indicating an approximate age.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 年頃(としごろ)(むすめ) (daughter of marriageable age)
  • (おな)年頃(としごろ) (around the same age)
  • 年頃(としごろ)()ども (adolescent child)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 年齢(ねんれい): age — neutral, factual term
  • 適齢期(てきれいき): appropriate age (especially for marriage) — more direct