翁
おきな · okina
Old man, venerable gentleman
- venerable, old, father
Other ways to say “old man” in Japanese →
flat · what is pitch accent?
How it’s used
A literary or respectful term for an old man, common in folktales, poetry, and formal writing, not everyday speech.
Not to be confused with 老人 (rōjin), which is the neutral everyday word for an elderly person.
Example sentences
翁は山の頂上に座っていた。
The old man was sitting on the mountain top.
Nihoner
村の翁が昔話を語り始めた。
The village elder began to tell a folk tale.
Nihoner
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Questions
What does 翁 mean?
Old man, venerable gentleman. It can also mean: venerable, old, father.
How do you pronounce 翁?
おきな (okina). Pitch accent: heiban — flat. Press Listen above to hear it.
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