年 Year

Meaning

Primary

Year

Alternative

Age

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. You can also use this word to talk about someone's age.

Reading

とし

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun'yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn't learn that reading, so here's a mnemonic to help you with this word:

This year you plan on tossing (とし) out all your old stuff as a New Year's resolution. You pronounce it "toshing" though, because it has more vigor that way.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 年を〜

  年をかさねる

  to grow old, the years go by

  年をまたぐ

  to span the years

  年をとる

  to grow old

• 〜年

  その年

  that year, that age

  この年

  this year, this age

  あたらしい年

  a new year

Context Sentences

いい年になりますように。

May it be a good year.

２０２１年はオリンピックの年でした。

2021 was the year of the Olympics.

あの年からずっと木を切ってないよ。

I haven't cut down a tree since that year.

Kanji Composition

1. 年

   ねん Year