Translation and Meaning of: 年鑑 - nenkan

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 年鑑[ねんかん]. It appears in specific contexts and can raise questions about its meaning, usage, and even its origin. In this article, we will explore everything about this word, from its most common translation to how it is perceived in Japan today. You will discover whether it is frequently used in everyday life or if it is more related to formal contexts, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.

What does 年鑑[ねんかん] mean?

The word 年鑑[ねんかん] is composed of the kanjis 年 (year) and 鑑 (mirror, reference), and its most direct meaning is "yearbook" or "almanac." It refers to annual publications that compile data, statistics, events, or relevant information about a specific subject. These records are useful for quick consultations and historical analyses.

In Japan, 年鑑 are common in areas such as economics, sports, culture, and even in specific niches like manga or technology yearbooks. They serve as a kind of organized summary of what happened throughout a year, making it easier to access consolidated information.

How and when to use 年鑑 (ねんかん)?

Although it is not a word used daily in casual conversations, 年鑑 appears frequently in academic, business, and journalistic contexts. If you are reading an article about market trends, for example, you may find references to 経済年鑑[けいざいねんかん] (economic yearbook) as a source of data.

It is worth noting that although it is a formal term, it is not exclusive to extremely technical texts. Even popular magazines can release special editions called 年鑑, especially when they make annual retrospectives. If you are writing a paper or report in Japanese, this word can be useful for citing reliable sources.

Tips for memorizing 年鑑[ねんかん]

An effective way to remember this word is to associate the kanjis that compose it. The first one, 年, is already known to those studying Japanese, as it means "year". The second one, 鑑, has the meaning of "reference" or "model". By combining the two, it becomes easier to remember that 年鑑 is an annual reference, an organized record by year.

Another tip is to practice with real examples. If you like a certain topic, such as cinema or games, research if there is a 年鑑 about it. Seeing the practical application of the word makes it more natural to incorporate it into your vocabulary. Additionally, noting down phrases like "この年鑑は便利です" (This yearbook is useful) can aid in your learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 年報 (nenpou) - Annual report, usually a document that summarizes the activities and results of an organization throughout the year.
• 年度報告書 (nendou houkokusho) - Fiscal exercise report, which presents the financial and operational results of a specific year.
• 年次報告書 (nenji houkokusho) - Annual report, similar to 年報, but often used in more formal or regulatory contexts.
• 年次報告 (nenji houkoku) - Annual report that may include summaries and analyses of the year's activities, usually less formal than the written report.
• 年度報告 (nendou houkoku) - Fiscal exercise report, similar to 年度報告書, but it can be less detailed.
• 年度レポート (nendou repōto) - Annual report, a simpler or summarized version of the financial report, aimed at a broader audience.
• 年次レポート (nenji repōto) - Annual report that is generally simplified, aimed at informing stakeholders in an accessible manner.

年鑑

Romaji: nenkan
Kana: ねんかん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: directory

Meaning in English: yearbook

Definition: A book that summarizes events and statistics in a specific year.

Example Sentences - (年鑑) nenkan

See below some example sentences:

今年の年鑑はとても素晴らしいです。

Kotoshi no nenkan wa totemo subarashii desu

This year's annual look is very wonderful.

• 今年の - This year
• 年鑑 - directory
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 素晴らしい - amazing
• です - verb to be in the polite form