適齢期(てきれいき)

てきれいき
noun
marriageable age; right age
society
1. marriageable age
The age considered socially appropriate for getting married. Most commonly used in the phrase 結婚適齢期(けっこんてきれいき).
結婚(けっこん)適齢期(てきれいき)を過(す)ぎた。
I've passed the marriageable age.
適齢期(てきれいき)になっても結婚(けっこん)しない人(ひと)が増(ふ)えている。
More and more people are not getting married even when they reach the typical age.
娘(むすめ)が適齢期(てきれいき)なので、親(おや)としては少(すこ)し心配(しんぱい)している。
Since my daughter is at the marriageable age, I worry a little as a parent.
2. right age; appropriate age (for something)
More broadly, the appropriate or optimal age for a particular activity or life stage.
出産(しゅっさん)適齢期(てきれいき)。
Optimal age for childbearing.
入学(にゅうがく)適齢期(てきれいき)の子(こ)ども。
A child of school-entry age.
予防接種(よぼうせっしゅ)の適齢期(てきれいき)は生後(せいご)二(に)か月(げつ)からです。
The appropriate age for vaccination is from two months after birth.

Forms

適齢(てきれい) (appropriate age) + 期(き) (period). The word literally means 'the period of appropriate age.'

Cultural note

The concept of 結婚(けっこん)適齢期(てきれいき) has been a topic of social discussion in Japan. Traditional expectations placed this in the late 20s, but changing social norms mean the concept is increasingly seen as outdated. It remains commonly used, though sometimes with irony.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.3.17 9:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17000/17219_tekireiki