年齢

• Reading: ねんれい
• Romaji: nenrei
• Kanji breakdown: 年 (nen/toshi) — year; 齢 (rei/yowai) — age
• Pronunciation: /neɴ.ɾeː/

Meaning

Age; the number of years a person has lived.

A formal noun for 'age.' More formal than 歳 (sai) or 年 (toshi) when discussing someone's age. Common expressions: 年齢制限 (nenrei seigen, age restriction), 年齢層 (nenreisou, age group), 年齢を重ねる (nenrei wo kasaneru, to grow older — literally 'to pile up years'). Used in official documents, surveys, and formal contexts.

Examples

1. このアプリには年齢制限がある。 This app has an age restriction.
2. 年齢に関係なく誰でも参加できます。 Anyone can participate regardless of age.
3. 彼女は年齢より若く見える。 She looks younger than her age.

Usage Guide

Context: official documents, surveys, health

Tone: formal

Origin & History

Compound of 年 (nen, year) and 齢 (rei, age). The kanji 齢 combines 歯 (tooth) and 令 (command/age), as in ancient times age was estimated by examining teeth.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal