Meaning

Primary

Elderly Person

Alternatives

Old Person, Elderly

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

For years and years, your comrades have been with you, but now they're all elderly.

This is a less common version of 年配, but you'll still sometimes encounter it.

Reading

ねんぱい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. As this vocab is identical to 年配, it's also read the same. Just remember that the はい turns into ぱい!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 年輩の人

    an elderly person

    年輩の女性

    an elderly woman

    年輩の男性

    an elderly man

    年輩の方々

    elderly people

Context Sentences

このカフェは年輩の方に人気だそうです。

Apparently, this café is popular with the older crowd.

となりの席では、ご年輩の女性が一人でコーヒーを飲んでいらっしゃいました。

Next to me, an elderly woman was drinking coffee by herself.

事故の相手の運転手は70才くらいの年輩者でした。

The other driver in the accident was a 70 year old elderly person.

Kanji Composition