Meaning

Primary

This Year

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The now year is which year? It is this year.

Reading

ことし
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for 今年 (ことし) is kinda weird, what with the part and all. Just imagine the こん reading you learned for has been shortened to here, if that helps. Then the part uses its kun'yomi reading とし. It's an odd combo, so here's a mnemonic:

Your goal this year is to treat everyone with courtesy (ことし). You're going to be nice and polite to everyone this year, even on social media. After all, there's too much negativity in the world right now. Oh yes, no doubt about it — this year will be one of courtesy.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 今年で四十二才

    forty two years old this year

    今年でやめる

    to quit this year, to quit after this year

    今年でおわる

    to end this year, to end after this year

Context Sentences

今年はダイエットをしたいです。

I want to be on a diet this year.

私の子は、今年、大学一年生になります。

My child will be a freshman in college this year.

今年の四月に日本へ来たばかりです。

I just came to Japan in April of this year.

Kanji Composition