壮 年(そうねん)

そうねん

noun

prime of life; middle age

1. prime of life; vigorous middle age

The period of life when a person is at peak physical and mental vigor, roughly corresponding to the 30s through 50s. Carries a positive connotation of strength and maturity.

壮年(そうねん)の男性(だんせい)。

A man in his prime.

壮年期(そうねんき)に入(はい)ってから体力(たいりょく)の大切(たいせつ)さを感(かん)じる。

After entering middle age, you come to appreciate the importance of physical fitness.

彼(かれ)は壮年(そうねん)にして会社(かいしゃ)を一(ひと)つの大企業(だいきぎょう)に育(そだ)て上(あ)げた。

In the prime of his life, he built the company into a large corporation.

Compound of 壮(そう) (vigorous, robust) and 年(ねん) (year, age). Unlike 中年(ちゅうねん) (middle age), which can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation, 壮年(そうねん) emphasizes vigor and capability.

Related words

Life-stage words, youngest to oldest:

青年(せいねん) — youth; young adult (roughly teens to 20s)
壮年(そうねん) — prime of life (roughly 30s to 50s)
中年(ちゅうねん) — middle age (roughly 40s to 50s; overlaps with 壮年(そうねん) but less positive)
老年(ろうねん) — old age (roughly 60s and beyond)

Common collocations

壮年期(そうねんき) — the prime of life (as a life stage)
壮年(そうねん)の男性(だんせい) — a man in his prime
壮年(そうねん)にして — in one's prime

Register

Somewhat formal and literary. In everyday speech, 中年(ちゅうねん) or specific age references are more common.

Related Words

Compare: 中高年(ちゅうこうねん) (middle-aged and older people)

Compare: ミドルエイジ (middle age)

Related: 老年(ろうねん) (old age)

Related: 青年(せいねん) (youth)

Related: 中年(ちゅうねん) (middle age (roughly 40s to 50s)

general

Added 2026.3.27 0:25 · Revised 2026.10.19 21:31

19500/19755_sounen