老化

• Pinyin: lǎo huà
• Hanzi breakdown: 老 = old; 化 = 亻(person) + 匕 — transform/change

Meaning

To age; to deteriorate with age; aging. The process of becoming old.

Can describe biological aging, material degradation, or outdating of systems/infrastructure. Often used in discussions of population aging, equipment maintenance, and infrastructure.

Examples

1. 设备老化严重，需要更新换代。 The equipment has seriously deteriorated and needs to be upgraded.
2. 人口老化是许多国家面临的挑战。 Population aging is a challenge facing many countries.
3. 这种材料具有抗老化性能。 This material has anti-aging properties.

Usage Guide

Context: demographics, maintenance, science

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 皮肤老化是自然现象。(Skin aging is a natural phenomenon.)
• 老化的电线存在安全隐患。(Aging electrical wires pose safety hazards.)

Don't Say

• 用老化形容人变得成熟。(老化 implies deterioration — use 成熟 for positive maturing)

Origin & History

Compound of 老 (old) + 化 (transform/-ify). The process of becoming old.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal