Meaning
老年 refers to the later stage of life, typically the period when someone is elderly or has reached old age. It describes the time period rather than the person themselves, though it's often used in compounds that relate to elderly people and their circumstances.
Usage
This is a neutral, formal term commonly used in medical, social, and demographic contexts. When referring to elderly people themselves, Chinese speakers more commonly say 老年人 (lǎo nián rén). The term appears frequently in formal writing, news articles, and discussions about aging, healthcare, and social services for the elderly.
Examples
- 01他的父母已经步入老年，需要更多的照顾。, .His parents have already entered old age and need more care.
- 02老年生活应该过得健康快乐。.Life in old age should be lived healthily and happily.
Characters
Common collocations
- 老年人elderly person
- 老年生活life in old age
- 步入老年to enter old age
- 老年痴呆senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease
Antonyms
Origin
Composed of 老 (old) and 年 (year/age), literally meaning 'old years.' This straightforward compound has been used in Chinese for centuries to denote the latter period of human life.