Details
Stroke Order
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
Component Breakdown
耂 + 匕
Words & Expressions
Words written with 老
Four-Character Compounds
不老不死
ふろうふし
perpetual youth and longevity; immortality
老若男女
ろうにゃくなんにょ
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)
老少不定
ろうしょうふてい
death comes to old and young alike; uncertainty of life
生老病死
しょうろうびょうし
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
老婆心切
ろうばしんせつ
grandmotherly solicitude for another's welfare; excessive solicitude
月下老人
げっかろうじん
go-between; matchmaker
老成円熟
ろうせいえんじゅく
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
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
Anime & Manga
じいさんばあさん若返る
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
Comedy where an 'elderly' couple turns young.
老後に備えて異世界で８万枚の金貨を貯めます
Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement
A well-known work with 老 in its Japanese title.
我老婆是魔王大人
My Wife is the Demon Queen
A well-known work with 老 in its Japanese title.
我家老婆来自一千年前
My Wife Is from a thousand Years ago
A well-known work with 老 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“old man”
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?
老 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means old man, old age, grow old. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:old man