caan4 nin4殘年残年

Jyutpingcaan4 nin4

Yalechàahn nìhn

Definition

Senectitude; one's remaining years or old age.

writtenpeopletime

How it's used

Refers specifically to the final stage of life, carrying a slightly melancholic or literary tone. Unlike everyday terms for elderly people, it emphasizes the twilight years and the feeling of nearing the end of one's life. It is rarely used in casual conversation and is more common in written prose or reflective speech.

Examples

keoi5佢喺hai2殘caan4年nin4仲zung6堅gin1持ci4寫se2作。

He persists in writing even in his old age.

jan4人dou3到caan4殘nin4年zeoi3最gan2緊jiu3要gin6健hong1康。

Health is the most important thing when one reaches old age.

Common phrases

caan4殘nin4年jyu4餘lik6力

remaining strength in one's twilight years

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply elderly, as it specifically implies the very late, final phase of life. Using it to describe a middle-aged person or someone who is merely retired would sound overly dramatic or even morbid.