Japanese meaning of 年寄りの冷や水
Reading:
としよりのひやみず (toshiyori no hiyamizu)
English Translation:
An old dog trying new tricks
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Elderly people should avoid risky endeavors.
Cultural Context:
Used as caution in sports, DIY, travel; intersects with Japan’s respect-for-elders norms yet warns of overexertion.
年配者が無理をするのは危険だという意味。
スポーツ・DIY・旅行の注意喚起で使用。敬老文化と両立しつつ無理への警鐘を鳴らす。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 年寄り (toshiyori) = “elderly person” (noun)
• の (no) = possessive/attributive particle
• 冷や水 (hiyamizu) = “cold water” (noun), metaphor for risky or unwise action
Noun phrase + の + noun phrase, used figuratively to caution against unsuitable actions.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it warns against overexertion in old age.
Example
Basic Example
年配の人が若者向けのことに挑戦するのは、年寄りの冷や水だ。
An old dog trying new tricks—when the elderly try youthful things.
Applied Example
担任が恋愛リアリティ番組に出演？年寄りの冷や水だよ…
Our teacher on a dating reality show? That’s an old dog trying new tricks.