Guide on How to Say Years in Japanese

In the Japanese language, expressing years can vary based on formality and context. While there are some regional variations, we will primarily focus on standard Japanese. Whether you want to discuss a specific year or learn how to express a range of years, this guide will provide you with various tips, examples, and alternatives.

Formal Ways to Express Years

When it comes to formal discussions or writing, there are specific terms commonly used to express years in Japanese. Here are a few examples:

1. Nengo (年号): The official way to express years in Japan is through nengo, also known as “era names.” These era names are assigned to the reign of each emperor in Japan. For example, the current era is Reiwa (令和), which started in May 2019.
2. Western Calendar (西暦): The Western calendar is also widely recognized and used in formal contexts. Since Japan adopted this calendar system in the late 19th century, it is essential to know how to express years using it. The Japanese term for the Western calendar is “seireki” (西暦).
3. Specific Years: For specific years, the format used is a combination of numbers and specific Japanese words for “year” or “nen” (年). For example, 2020 is expressed as “ni-sen-ni-juu-nen” (二千二十年).
4. Japanese Zodiac Animals: Another interesting way to express years is by referring to the Japanese zodiac animals. Each year is associated with a specific animal in a twelve-year cycle. For example, 2021 is the year of the ox, called “ushi-doshi” (丑年).

Informal Ways to Express Years

When it comes to informal conversations or casual writing, Japanese language users sometimes opt for simpler and abbreviated forms to express years. Here are some commonly used informal expressions:

• Just Numbers: In casual contexts, it is quite common to use only numbers to express years. For example, for the year 1990, you can simply say “sen-kyuu-hyaku-kyuu-juu” (1990).
• Yoji-doshi: In informal discussions, people also use the term “yoji-doshi” (四時年), which means “four-character year.” This refers to years like 1989, known as “heisei juu-ichi-nen” (平成十一年).
• Last Year, This Year, Next Year: Another convenient way to express years informally is to use relative terms such as “last year,” “this year,” or “next year.” For example, instead of saying “ni-sen-hachi-nen” (2008), you can say “kyonen” (去年) for “last year.”

Alternative Ways to Express Years

In addition to the formal and informal methods mentioned above, you may encounter alternative ways to express years in specific contexts:

Etto: In some casual conversations, people use the term “etto” to express years. For example, you may hear someone mention “etto nisen” instead of “ni-sen” (2000).

It’s important to note that although these alternative expressions may be used conversationally, they are not commonly seen in formal writing or official documents.

Practice Makes Perfect

To get a better grasp of expressing years in Japanese, it’s helpful to practice with some examples:

1. 2011: “Nisen-juu-ichi-nen” (二千十一年)
2. 1998: “Sen-kyuu-hyaku-kyuu-juu-hachi-nen” (千九百九十八年)
3. 2025: “Nizen-nijuu-go-nen” (二千二十五年)
4. 1987: “Sen-kyuu-hyaku-hachi-juu-nana-nen” (千九百八十七年)

Remember that practicing and hearing these expressions in real-life conversations will greatly enhance your ability to understand and use them accurately.

Conclusion

Expressing years in Japanese depends on the context, formality, and personal preferences. Whether you opt for the formal nengo system, the Western calendar, or informal expressions, understanding these different approaches will allow you to communicate effectively when discussing years in Japanese. Remember to adapt your usage based on the setting and always appreciate the cultural nuances present in the Japanese language and customs. Enjoy your journey of learning and exploring the rich linguistic landscape of Japan!