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:

この街は毎年夏祭りで賑わう。

Kono machi wa maitoshi natsu matsuri de nigiwau

This city gets excited every year with the summer festival.

This city is crowded every year in the summer festival.

• この街 - this city
• は - Topic particle
• 毎年 - Every year
• 夏祭り - summer festival
• で - Location particle
• 賑わう - be excited, busy

一年に一回のイベントが楽しみです。

Ichinen ni ikkai no ibento ga tanoshimi desu

I look forward to the event once a year.

• 一年 (ichi-nen) - one year
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 一回 (ik-kai) - once
• の (no) - Article that indicates possession or attribution
• イベント (ibento) - event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ (tanoshimi) - Prazer, diversão
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

一昨年の夏に日本を訪れました。

Issakunen no natsu ni Nihon wo otozuremashita

I visited Japan two years ago.

• 一昨年 - "the year before last", i.e. "the year before last"
• の - Possession particle
• 夏 - "summer"
• に - particle of time
• 日本 - Japan
• を - direct object particle
• 訪れました - "visited"

一見は十年の修行という言葉がある。

Hitomi wa jūnen no shugyō to iu kotoba ga aru

There is a saying that a single look is equivalent to ten years of training.

At first glance, there is a ten -year training.

• 一見 - means "at first sight" or "at first glance".
• 十年 - means "ten years".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 修行 - means "training" or "discipline".
• という - an expression that indicates that the previous word is quoted or mentioned.
• 言葉 - means "word" or "expression".
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".

今年は良い年になりますように。

Kotoshi wa yoi toshi ni narimasu you ni

May this year be a good year.

• 今年 (kotoshi) - This year
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 良い (yoi) - Good
• 年 (toshi) - Year
• に (ni) - particle that indicates purpose or objective
• なります (narimasu) - become
• ように (youni) - expression that indicates desire or hope

今年は豊作になるように祈っています。

Kotoshi wa hōsaku ni naru yō ni inotte imasu

I pray for a good harvest this year.

• 今年 - This year
• は - Topic particle
• 豊作 - abundant harvest
• に - target particle
• なる - become
• ように - for what
• 祈っています - I'm praying

今年は暑い夏だった。

Kotoshi wa atsui natsu datta

This year was a hot summer.

• 今年 - This year
• は - Topic particle
• 暑い - hot
• 夏 - summer
• だった - past of the verb "to be"

今年度の予算は増えました。

Konendo no yosan wa fuetamashita

This year's budget has increased.

• 今年度の - This fiscal year
• 予算は - budget
• 増えました - Increased

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

元年は新しい始まりです。

Gannen wa atarashii hajimari desu

The first year is a new beginning.

• 元年 - New Year
• は - Topic particle
• 新しい - New
• 始まり - Beginning
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)