定年

• Reading: ていねん
• Romaji: teinen
• Kanji breakdown: 定 (tei/sada) — fix, determine; 年 (nen/toshi) — year, age
• Pronunciation: /teː.neɴ/

Meaning

Retirement age; compulsory retirement age. The age at which employees are required or expected to retire from a company.

A noun referring to the mandatory retirement age set by companies or organisations. In Japan, the standard retirement age has been gradually raised from 60 to 65. Common expressions include 定年退職 (mandatory retirement) and 定年を迎える (to reach retirement age).

Examples

1. 父は来年定年を迎える。 My father will reach retirement age next year.
2. 定年退職後に旅行を楽しむつもりだ。 I plan to enjoy traveling after I retire.
3. 日本では定年が六十五歳に引き上げられた。 The mandatory retirement age in Japan has been raised to 65.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, life planning, society

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 定 (fixed, determined) and 年 (year, age). Established as a formal employment term during Japan's post-war economic development when lifetime employment became the norm.

Cultural Context

Era: Post-war

Generation: Working age

Social background: Professional