How to say "elderly" in Japanese

• 年嵩としかさ
  no-adjectiveCovers 'elderly' in the sense of a senior — someone older in years. A less common word, it is seldom what you want for ordinary talk about elderly people; 年配 is the usual choice.
• 年のいったとしのいった
  expression, prenominal modifierDescribes a person advanced in years, one who has grown old. A less common expression, it is not the everyday word for elderly people in general; for that, 年配 is the usual choice.
• 高年齢こうねんれい
  no-adjectiveCovers the 'aged' sense: advanced age as a plain condition. A less common word, it is seldom the everyday choice for elderly people; 年配 is the usual pick.
• 年配ねんぱいCommon
  no-adjectiveThe common everyday word for 'elderly' meaning older adults in ordinary daily contexts. For most uses of English 'elderly' — people met or spoken of in daily life — this is the word to reach for.
  スミス夫人ふじんは年配ねんぱいの女性じょせいです。↗

  Mrs. Smith is an elderly lady.

年配 is the common everyday word for elderly people; 「年のいった」 describes a person grown old, 高年齢 fits the plain 'aged' sense, and 年嵩 is a less common word for a senior, older in years.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 年嵩としかさsenior
• 年のいったとしのいったolder (person)
• 高年齢こうねんれいaged
• 年配ねんぱいelderly