老朽化

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 老朽化(ろうきゅうか) means the aging and deterioration of a building, bridge, facility, or equipment over time.
• Basic usage: It is used for repairs to an aging bridge or preparations for deteriorating equipment. Typical patterns are 老朽化した橋 and 設備の老朽化に備える.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Understand it as change over time
  • It is not a single breakdown but an overall decline caused by age and long use.
• Difference from 劣化
  • 劣化(れっか) broadly means a decline in quality or performance from various causes, while 老朽化 focuses on facilities becoming old and worn.