年頃

としごろ
Alternative writings: 年ごろ
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

Approximate or apparent age — used to indicate that someone appears to be around a certain age.

Noun

Examples

彼女は写真より年頃に見える。

She looks about that age more than in the photo.

あの子はもう年頃だから、口うるさく言わないほうがいい。

That child is already at that age, so it's better not to nag them.

彼は見た目は年頃だが、話し方は落ち着いている。

He appears to be around that age, but his manner of speaking is composed.

2

Marriageable age; the age considered suitable for marriage or reaching maturity (often used about women).

NounNoun Taking 'の'

Examples

娘はもう年頃だから、相手のことを真剣に考えたらどうだろう。

Our daughter is already of marriageable age; perhaps she should seriously consider a partner.

親としては子どもが年頃になると心配が増える。

As parents, worries increase when children reach a marriageable age.

彼は年頃の兄弟が多く、家はにぎやかだ。

He has many siblings of marriageable age, so the house is lively.

3

An age when a certain behavior or state commonly occurs; used after a modifying phrase (e.g., 'at the age when one does ~').

Noun

Examples

反抗期に入る年頃だから、親も対応が難しい。

They're at the age when they enter adolescence, so it's difficult for parents to handle.

外で遊ぶ年頃の子どもたちが公園に集まっている。

Children at the age when they play outside are gathering in the park.

4

A dated/literary usage meaning 'for years' or 'for a long time' (rare in modern usage).

AdverbNoun Taking 'の'Dated Term

Examples

年ごろ、その山村は静かで人もまばらだった。(文語的表現)

For many years that mountain village was quiet and sparsely populated. (literary)