Greetings and welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say the years in Japanese! Whether you are interested in formal or informal ways to express the years, this article will provide you with a wealth of tips, examples, and cultural insights. So, let’s dive right in and explore the fascinating world of Japanese numbers!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways of Expressing the Years
In formal Japanese, the years are typically expressed using a combination of kanji characters and the traditional Japanese counting system. Here’s a breakdown of how to say the years formally:
1. Counting System: In formal settings, the Japanese employ the traditional Chinese counting system known as “On’yomi,” which involves using specific kanji characters for each number. For example:
- 2018 is pronounced as “Nisen-jū-hachi-nen” (二千十八年).
- 2022 is pronounced as “Nisen-nijū-ni-nen” (二千二十二年).
2. Kanji Characters: When expressing the years formally, specific kanji characters are used. Here are some examples:
- The character “二” (ni) represents the number two.
- The character “千” (sen) means one thousand.
- The character “十” (jū) denotes ten.
- The character “八” (hachi) represents eight.
In addition to these formal expressions, it’s important to note that Japanese people often use the Western calendar when writing and communicating internationally. Therefore, you may also come across instances where they use the Western year format, such as “2018” pronounced as “Nisen-jū-hachi-nen” (二〇一八年).
Informal Ways of Expressing the Years
Informal Japanese provides a more casual and conversational way to express the years. Here’s a breakdown of how to say the years informally:
1. Counting System: In everyday conversations, the Japanese use a simplified counting system known as the “Kun’yomi” or “Wago” system. This system involves combining simple numbers with the counter word “nen” to express the year. For example:
- 2018 is pronounced as “Nisen-jū-hachi-nen” (にせんじゅうはちねん)
- 2022 can be pronounced as “Nisen-nijū-ni-nen” (にせんにじゅうにねん)
2. Reading Numbers: When expressing the years informally, numbers are often read individually, digit by digit. For example:
- 2018 would be pronounced as “Ni-maru-ichi-hachi” (2・0・1・8) or “Ni-kyu-gatsu” (2・9・gatsu).
- 2022 could be pronounced as “Ni-maru-ni-ni” (2・0・2・2) or “Ni-ni-gatsu” (2・2・gatsu).
Note: The use of “maru” (〇) to represent zero is common in informal speech to differentiate it from the character used for the number “rei” (零), which can also mean “nothing” or “empty.”
Cultural Insights and Tips
Now that you have a good grasp of how to say the years in Japanese, here are some additional cultural insights and tips to further enhance your understanding:
- Japanese Calendar: Japan operates on the Gregorian calendar, but it also has its traditional calendar based on the reign of emperors. The year 2019, for example, corresponds to Reiwa 1 in the Japanese era calendar.
- Politeness: When referring to past years, it is polite to add the suffix “go” (後) after the year. For instance, “2010年後” (Nisen-juu-nen-go) means “after the year 2010.”
- Year Counting: Japanese people typically count years from the current emperor’s reign. It is essential to be aware of the current era when discussing years in Japan.
- Regional Variations: While the formal and informal methods mentioned earlier are widely used across Japan, please note that there might be slight regional variations in pronunciation or vocabulary.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t hesitate to engage in conversations with native speakers or use language-learning resources to hone your skills in expressing the years confidently and accurately.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now completed our comprehensive guide on how to say the years in Japanese. You’ve learned about formal and informal methods, explored examples, and gained valuable cultural insights. By applying this knowledge, you’ll be able to navigate discussions about years in Japanese with finesse and accuracy.
Enjoy your language journey and have a fantastic time learning Japanese!
