Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
耂 + 匕
Cultural Context
Etymology
A pictograph of an elderly person with long hair and a cane. Means aged person and longevity.
Symbolism
Symbolizes old age, wisdom, and experience. Represents knowledge of those who have lived long and beings deserving respect.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Good old days
Anime & Manga
じいさんばあさん若返る
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again(2018)
Comedy where an 'elderly' couple turns young.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
不老不死
ふろうふし
perpetual youth and longevity; immortality; perpetual youth and longevity
老若男女
ろうにゃくなんにょ
men and women of all ages; men and women of all ages
偕老同穴
かいろうどうけつ
happy life partnership; living faithfully together till death; Venus's flower basket (Euplectella aspergillum); happy life partnership
老少不定
ろうしょうふてい
death comes to old and young alike; uncertainty of life; death comes to old and young alike
生老病死
しょうろうびょうし
the four inevitables in human life (birth, aging, sickness, and death); the four inevitables in human life (birth, aging, sickness, and death)
不老長寿
ふろうちょうじゅ
perpetual youth and longevity; perpetual youth and longevity
老婆心切
ろうばしんせつ
grandmotherly solicitude for another's welfare; excessive solicitude; grandmotherly solicitude for another's welfare
月下老人
げっかろうじん
go-between; matchmaker; go-between
老成円熟
ろうせいえんじゅく
experience that comes with age; experience that comes with age
不老長生
ふろうちょうせい
perpetual youth and longevity; long life without growing old; perpetual youth and longevity
老馬の智
ろうばのち
The wisdom of an old horse; Experience brings valuable wisdom
Proverbs & Idioms
老いては子に従え
おいてはこにしたがえ
In old age, follow your children
Elders should defer to their children
老いては腕まくり
おいてはうでまくり
Rolling up sleeves in old age
Working hard despite being old
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 老 mean in Japanese?
老 means old man, old age, grow old.
How do you read 老?
On'yomi: ロウ (ROU). Kun'yomi: お.いる、ふ.ける (oiru, fukeru).
How many strokes does 老 have?
老 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 老 (old).
Is 老 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 老 (old man, old age, grow old) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for old man