生まれ年
umaredoshi
The English phrase "birth year" is translated into Japanese as 生まれ年 (umaredoshi).
生まれ年 refers to the specific year in which a person was born.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating a birth year, the counter 年 (nen) is used after the year.
How do you pronounce it?
umaredoshi
Did you know?
- In Japan, people often identify their 'birth year' by the era name of the Emperor rather than the Western calendar. For example, someone might say they were born in 昭和 'Showa' or 平成 'Heisei' instead of 1980 or 1990.
- In many Japanese contexts, knowing someone's birth year is the primary way to determine their social standing and the level of politeness (keigo) required when speaking to them.
- There is a cultural distinction between 生まれ年 'birth year' and the 'school year' group. Children born between April 2nd of one year and April 1st of the next are considered part of the same age cohort in school.
Examples in context
- 生まれ年はいつですか？Umarenen wa itsu desu ka?What is your birth year?
- 彼の生まれ年は分かりません。Kare no umarenen wa wakarimasen.I don't know his birth year.
- 書類に生まれ年を書いてください。Shorui ni umarenen o kaite kudasai.Please write your birth year on the document.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are filling out a registration form together.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さん、生まれ年はどこに書きますか？Kenta-san, umarenen wa doko ni kakimasu ka?Kenta, where do I write my birth year?
- 健太 Kentaその上の欄に書いてください。sono ue no ran ni kaite kudasai.Please write it in the section above.
- 陽葵 Himariわかりました。ありがとうございます。wakari mashita. arigato gozaimasu.I understand. Thank you.
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、どういたしまして。iie, dou itashimashite.No problem.
