老朽化（ろうきゅうか、roukyuうka）
- aging

The Japanese word 老朽化, pronounced ろうきゅうか (rōkyūka), means "aging," "deterioration," or "becoming obsolete" due to age or wear and tear. It describes the process where something gradually loses its functionality, strength, or value over time. This term is applicable to various objects, infrastructure, systems, or even organizations. It implies a decline in condition.

⚫︎その橋は老朽化が進んでいる。 Translation: That bridge is deteriorating. ⚫︎建物の老朽化対策が必要だ。 Translation: Measures are needed to address the aging of the building. ⚫︎このシステムは老朽化しているので、新しいものに置き換える必要がある。 Translation: This system is becoming obsolete, so it needs to be replaced with a new one.

This word is used to describe the declining condition of something over time. It can be used in formal and informal contexts. You can use 老朽化 when discussing physical structures like buildings and bridges, technological systems, equipment, or even management practices. It's often used in discussions about maintenance, repair, and replacement.

老朽化 is typically written in kanji. ・老 (rō) means "old." ・朽 (kyū) means "decay" or "rot." ・化 (ka) means "change" or "become." The word is usually written in kanji and the reading is hiragana. The okurigana is usually present as 化. There are no other ways to write this word.

⚫︎ 劣化 (rettka) - deterioration, degradation ⚫︎ 腐敗 (fuhai) - decay, corruption ⚫︎ 摩耗 (mamō) - wear and tear ⚫︎ 陳腐化 (chimpuka) - obsolescence, becoming outdated

⚫︎ 新規化 (shinkika) - renewal ⚫︎ 更新 (kōshin) - update, renewal ⚫︎ 維持 (iji) - maintenance, preservation ⚫︎ 復旧 (fukkyū) - restoration, recovery

古いインフラの老朽化が経済に影響を与えている。 ・Translation: The aging of old infrastructure is impacting the economy. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 老朽化 can be used to describe the impact of deteriorating infrastructure on the economy.

長年使用された機械は老朽化が進み、修理が必要になった。 ・Translation: The machinery used for many years had deteriorated and needed repair. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the machine is 老朽化 and as a result, a repair is needed.

The word 老朽化 is a compound word derived from: ・老 (rō) - "old." ・朽 (kyū) - "to rot" or "to decay." ・化 (ka) - "to change" or "to become." Thus, it literally means "to become old and decayed."