Translation and Meaning of: 年 - toshi

The Japanese word 年[とし] is a fundamental term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. It appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to profound cultural expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origins, and practical uses, as well as curiosities that help to understand how the Japanese perceive the concept of "year" or "age." If you want to truly learn Japanese, knowing words like this is essential.

Meaning and uses of 年 [とし]

In its most basic form, 年[とし] means "year," but its use goes beyond simple time counting. It can also refer to a person's age, as in "年を取る" (to grow old). This duality of meaning is common in Japanese and reflects how time and maturity are interconnected in the Japanese mindset.

In formal contexts, such as documents or news, 年 often appears alongside other kanji to form compound words. For example, 年間 [ねんかん] (period of a year) or 新年 [しんねん] (new year). In colloquial speech, Japanese people frequently use とし alone, especially when talking about age or annual events.

Origin and writing of the kanji 年

The kanji 年 has an interesting history. Originally, in ancient China, it represented a person carrying a harvest, symbolizing the passage of an agricultural cycle. Over time, this meaning expanded to encompass the general concept of "year." In Japan, the character maintained this relationship with time and gathering.

Regarding writing, 年 is composed of 6 strokes and belongs to the group of kanjis taught in the first year of Japanese elementary school. Its most common reading is ねん in compounds and とし when used alone. Memorizing this kanji becomes easier if you associate it with the idea of complete cycles, whether of harvests or years of life.

Cultural curiosities about 年

In Japan, the passage of years is marked by important rituals. New Year's Eve, for example, is called 大晦日[おおみそか] (literally "last day of the year") and involves traditions such as eating soba and visiting temples. The word 年 appears in many of these celebrations, highlighting its cultural significance.

Another interesting aspect is how the Japanese view aging. Unlike some Western cultures, where advanced age may be a taboo, in Japan expressions like 年配[ねんぱい] (elderly person) carry a sense of respect. This reflects deep social values about experience and wisdom accumulated over the years.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 歳 (sai) - age (usually used to indicate a person's age)
• とし (toshi) - year, age (used in more informal contexts or when counting years)
• ねん (nen) - year (more formal use or in terms of time and calendar)

年

Romaji: toshi
Kana: とし
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: year; age

Meaning in English: year;age

Definition: The cycle in which things happen. 365 days.

Example Sentences - (年) toshi

See below some example sentences:

私は年をとっていると感じています。

Watashi wa toshi wo totte iru to kanjiteimasu

I feel like I'm getting older.

I feel old.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 年 (toshi) - noun that means "year"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "year"
• とっている (totteiru) - compound verb that means "to be aging"
• と (to) - particle that indicates the connection between the verb and the next term
• 感じています (kanjiteimasu) - compound verb that means "to feel"

私は来年入学する予定です。

Watashi wa rainen nyūgaku suru yotei desu

I have plans to enter school next year.

I intend to sign up next year.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 来年 (rainen) - noun that means "next year"
• 入学する (nyūgaku suru) - composite verb that means "to enter the school"
• 予定 (yotei) - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私たちは同い年です。

Watashitachi wa onaidoshi desu

We have the same age.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 同い年 - "same age" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating a formal statement