来年
rainen[ɾa̠inẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese phrase for "next year" is 来年 (rainen).
来年 is the most standard and commonly used term to refer to the year following the current year.
Meaning: the year after the present year (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 来年 is composed of the kanji 来, meaning "to come" and 年, meaning "year".
Which one should you use?
Use 来年 when referring to the year following the current calendar year. In contrast, use 翌年 to refer to the year following a specific year mentioned in a particular context or story, often translated as "the following year".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
rainen
Did you know?
- In some traditional contexts, instead of saying 'next year', people might refer to the specific zodiac animal associated with that year.
- Japanese speakers often use the phrase 来年こそ to express a strong determination to achieve something next year that they failed to do this year.
- In formal Japanese correspondence, one might see 来年度 instead of 来年 when referring to the next fiscal or academic year, which often starts in April rather than January.
Examples in context
- 来年は卯年だ。Next year is the year of the rabbit.This sentence shows how to use 来年 to identify a zodiac year.Tatoeba #2243192 by tommy_san, translation #684674 by notrwanda
- 彼女は来年結婚する。She'll be getting married next year.This sentence uses 来年 to indicate a future life event.Tatoeba #86330 by bunbuku, translation #317381 by CK
- 来年外国へ行きます。I will go abroad next year.This sentence uses 来年 to express a future intention to go abroad.Tatoeba #152388 by KK_kaku_, translation #262162 by CK
- 来年の春に帰ります。I will go back in the spring of next year.
- いや、翌々年の結婚式だよ。No, it's the wedding after next year.
- 103 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about their future goals.
- 健太 Kenta来年、車を買いたいです。Rainen, kuruma o kaitai desu.I want to buy a car next year.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。私は来年、資格を取ります。Ii desu ne. Watashi wa rainen, shikaku o torimasu.That's nice. I will get a certification next year.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは勉強熱心ですね。Yui-san wa benkyou nesshin desu ne.You are very hardworking, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “next year” translations and entries 来年, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
