Translation guide
The English phrase 'last year' refers to the year before the current one. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 去年 (きょねん), but other expressions exist depending on formality and context.
Referring to the year immediately before the current year.
Clarifying the difference between 'last year' and 'the year before last' to avoid common learner mistakes.
去年 (きょねん) is the default, everyday word. 昨年 (さくねん) is formal and often used in business or official writing. In casual conversation, 昨年 can sound stiff.
去年はいい年でした。
Last year was a good year.
昨年の業績をご報告します。
I will report last year's business results.
去年、日本語を勉強し始めました。
I started learning Japanese last year.
去年は多くの人にとって大変な年でした。
Last year was a difficult year for many people.
I went to Japan last year.
去年の夏はとても暑かった。
Last summer was very hot.
A more formal equivalent of 去年, often used in business, news, or official contexts.
昨年の売上は過去最高でした。
Last year's sales were the highest ever.
Used in statistical or comparative contexts, meaning 'the previous year' relative to a given point. Common in reports.
前年比で10%の増加です。
It's a 10% increase compared to the previous year.
Means 'the year before last'. Learners often confuse this with 'last year'. Note that 去年 is 'last year', while 一昨年 is two years ago.
Do not use 一昨年 for 'last year'. It means 'the year before last'.
一昨年は2022年でした。
The year before last was 2022.