老 木(ろうぼく)

ろうぼく

noun

old tree; aged tree

1. old tree; aged tree

A tree that has lived for many years, typically with a thick trunk, gnarled branches, and a sense of long history. Often used reverently for trees in temple grounds, shrines, or scenic spots.

庭(にわ)に大(おお)きな老木(ろうぼく)がある。

There is a large old tree in the garden.

境内(けいだい)の老木(ろうぼく)は樹齢(じゅれい)500年(ねん)と言(い)われている。

The old tree in the temple grounds is said to be 500 years old.

台風(たいふう)で村(むら)のシンボルだった老木(ろうぼく)が倒(たお)れてしまった。

The old tree that was the symbol of the village fell in the typhoon.

Compound of 老(ろう) (old, aged) + 木(ぼく) (tree). A literary, somewhat reverent term—conveys respect for the tree's age rather than a neutral observation.

Common collocations

樹齢(じゅれい)数百(すうひゃく)年(ねん)の老木(ろうぼく): a centuries-old tree
老木(ろうぼく)が倒(たお)れる: an old tree falls
老木(ろうぼく)を守(まも)る: to protect an old tree

Similar words

古木(こぼく): old tree — near synonym, slightly more poetic
御神木(ごしんぼく): sacred tree (at a shrine) — religiously revered
大木(たいぼく): large tree — emphasizes size rather than age
巨木(きょぼく): giant tree — emphasizes great size

Related Words

Compare: 御神木(ごしんぼく) (sacred tree)

Compare: 大木(たいぼく) (large tree)

Compare: 巨木(きょぼく) (giant tree)

general

Added 2026.6.1 12:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

28500/28520_rouboku