(じゅくねん)

じゅくねん
noun
mature age, middle age
1. mature age, middle age
A polite, positive way to refer to middle age and beyond, typically people in their 50s and 60s. Emphasizes experience and maturity rather than aging.
熟年(じゅくねん)夫婦(ふうふ)旅行(りょこう)人気(にんき)だ。
Travel for mature couples is popular.
熟年(じゅくねん)離婚(りこん)()えているという記事(きじ)()んだ。
I read an article saying that late-life divorces are increasing.
熟年(じゅくねん)世代(せだい)をターゲットにした健康(けんこう)食品(しょくひん)市場(しじょう)拡大(かくだい)している。
The market for health foods targeting the mature generation is expanding.

USAGE:
A softer, more positive alternative to 中年(ちゅうねん) (middle-aged) or 高齢(こうれい) (elderly). Commonly used in media, marketing, and social commentary. The compound 熟年(じゅくねん)離婚(りこん) (gray divorce) is a well-known social term in Japan.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 熟年(じゅくねん)離婚(りこん) (gray divorce, late-life divorce)
  • 熟年(じゅくねん)夫婦(ふうふ) (mature couple)
  • 熟年(じゅくねん)世代(せだい) (mature generation)
  • 熟年(じゅくねん)(そう) (mature demographic)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 中年(ちゅうねん): middle-aged — neutral, sometimes slightly negative
  • 熟年(じゅくねん): mature — positive, emphasizes experience and fulfillment