年 — meaning in English: Year

nen · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for decade

精神

seishin

年

nen

好意

kōi

大陸

tairiku

贈り物

okurimono

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 年 (nen) when talking about age, anniversaries, or the passage of time. For example, during New Year celebrations, people often wish each other a happy new year using phrases that include 年 to signify the start of a new calendar year.

Synonyms & nuances

Another word for year in Japanese is 年間 (nenkan), which specifically refers to a duration of one year regarding a specific event or situation. You would use 年 (nen) in general discussions about time, while 年間 (nenkan) is more precise in contexts like fiscal years or annual reports.

Culture

The word 年 has its roots in ancient Chinese characters, where it originally referred to the harvest and the completion of a cycle. In Japan, 年 not only marks the passage of time but is also integral in cultural practices, such as the celebration of Shichi-Go-San, a festival for children, which celebrates their growth each year.

FAQ

Q.How do you use 年 in a sentence?

You can use 年 by saying '今年は2023年です' which means 'This year is 2023.' It’s commonly used to reference the current year or discuss events happening in a specific year.

Q.What is the difference between 年 and 年間?

年 (nen) refers to a general year, while 年間 (nenkan) emphasizes a timeframe, often used in technical or formal contexts. For instance, you might say '年間の合計' to mean 'total for the year.'

Q.Is there a specific way to count years in Japanese?

Yes, when counting age, you might use the word 歳 (sai) with 年 to specify how old someone is, like '彼は10歳です' meaning 'He is 10 years old.' This differentiates between the concept of years and age.

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