Translation guide
In Japanese, counting years uses the counter 年 (ねん). The pronunciation changes for certain numbers, and there are specific words for 'this year', 'last year', 'next year', etc. This guide covers how to count years, express ages, and use common year-related phrases.
To say 'X years' as a duration or to identify a year by number (e.g., '3 years', 'year 2024').
The basic counter for years is 年 (ねん). It attaches to numbers, but some numbers have irregular readings. For most numbers, use the standard on'yomi reading of the number plus ねん. Note: 4年 is よねん, not しねん (which means 'death'). 7年 is しちねん or ななねん (both used). 9年 is くねん or きゅうねん (くねん is more common in counting).
私は日本に3年住んでいます。
I have lived in Japan for 3 years.
2024年はオリンピックがありました。
In the year 2024, the Olympics were held.
Adds emphasis on the duration of a period of years. Often used when specifying a continuous span of time.
Means 'number of years'. Used in formal or technical contexts.
To say how old someone or something is.
The counter for age is 歳 (さい), often simplified to 才. Irregular readings: 1歳 (いっさい), 8歳 (はっさい), 10歳 (じゅっさい/じっさい), 20歳 (はたち). For 'how old', use 何歳 (なんさい).
私は25歳です。
I am 25 years old.
彼は今年20歳になります。
He will turn 20 this year.
To refer to relative years.
This year.
To say what year/grade someone is in school.
Attach to a number to indicate school year. E.g., 一年生 (いちねんせい) = first-year student. For 'what year', use 何年生 (なんねんせい).
私は大学2年生です。
I am a second-year university student.
To express years in the Japanese era system (e.g., Reiwa 6).
Japan uses era names. Common ones: 昭和 (Showa), 平成 (Heisei), 令和 (Reiwa). The year is the number of years since the era began. E.g., 令和6年 (Reiwa 6) = 2024.
令和6年は2024年です。
Reiwa 6 is the year 2024.
年 is for counting years (duration, year numbers). 歳 is for age. Saying 私は20年です would mean 'I am 20 years (duration)', not 'I am 20 years old'. Use 私は20歳です for age.
While 3年 means '3 years', 3年間 emphasizes the duration. It's often used when the time span is the focus, like 'for 3 years'.
日本語を2年勉強しています。
I've been studying Japanese for 2 years.
彼女は10歳です。
She is 10 years old.
今年は何年ですか？
What year is it now?
彼は5年間アメリカに留学していました。
He studied abroad in America for 5 years.
勤続年数は20年です。
My years of service are 20 years.
Formal word for 'age'. Used in official documents or polite inquiries.
年齢を教えてください。
Please tell me your age.
This year is extremely hot.
Last year.
去年日本に行きました。
I went to Japan last year.
Next year.
来年はもっと勉強します。
I will study more next year.
Every year. Both readings are common; まいとし is slightly more conversational.
毎年花見をします。
We do cherry blossom viewing every year.
The year before last.
一昨年は大雪でした。
The year before last had heavy snow.
The year after next.
再来年には完成する予定です。
It is scheduled to be completed the year after next.