Phrase
middle age
中年
The period of life between youth and old age, roughly ages 45–65; midlife.
- 1.
The period of life directly preceding old age, often defined roughly as ages 45–65; midlife.
老年之前的生命阶段,通常约为45至65岁；中年
老年之前的生命阶段,通常约为45至65岁；中年
In use
Many people begin to experience health issues in middle age.
She decided to go back to college during middle age.
Financial planning for middle age is crucial for a comfortable retirement.
in [noun]
常用作时间状语，表示‘在…时期’。
Many people start experiencing health issues in middle age.
许多人在中年时期开始出现健康问题。
reach [noun]
表示进入某阶段，动词常用 reach 或 enter。
He reached middle age and decided to change careers.
他到了中年，决定换职业。
during [noun]
强调整个期间，与 in 相近但略有侧重。
During middle age, it is important to maintain a healthy diet.
在中年期间，保持健康的饮食习惯很重要。
Common mistakes
He is a middle age man.He is a middle-aged man.
中文中“中年”可以直接修饰名词，但在英语中，用作定语时必须使用复合形容词“middle-aged”，而非名词短语“middle age”。
He is in his middle ages.He is in middle age.
中文“中年”可以泛指一段时期，但英语中“middle age”是不可数名词，不能加复数后缀“-s”。
Connections
Confusing words
- midlife
- 中年（尤指中年危机中的中年） · 'midlife' 常作为修饰语，如'midlife crisis'，而'middle age'是独立名词短语。
- middle ages
- 中世纪 · 'middle ages' 指历史时期，不是人生阶段。
- middle-aged
- 中年的（形容词） · 'middle-aged' 是形容词，修饰名词；'middle age' 是名词短语。
Word family
- middle-aged
- 中年的 · adj
- middle-ager
- 中年人 · n
Learner notes
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.