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:

再来年に日本に行きたいです。

Sairainen ni Nihon ni ikitai desu

I want to go to Japan next year.

I want to go to Japan again next year.

• 再来年 (sairainen) - means "in the following year" or "two years from now".
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates destination or location.
• 日本 (nihon) - the name of the country Japan.
• に (ni) - again, the particle that indicates the destination or location.
• 行きたい (ikitai) - means "to want to go".
• です (desu) - a particle that indicates the conclusion of the sentence and is used to express politeness.

少年は未来の希望だ。

Shounen wa mirai no kibou da

Young people are the hope for the future.

The boy is the hope of the future.

• 少年 (shounen) - a young
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 未来 (mirai) - future
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 希望 (kibou) - hope
• だ (da) - verb to be"

年寄りは尊敬すべき存在です。

Toshiyori wa sonkei subeki sonzai desu

The elderly are a respectable presence.

The elderly are respected.

• 年寄り - means "old person" in Japanese.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 尊敬 - means "respect" in Japanese.
• すべき - verb form that indicates an obligation or duty.
• 存在 - means "existence" in Japanese.
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense.

年賀状を書くのが楽しみです。

Nengajou wo kaku no ga tanoshimi desu

I am excited to write New Year's cards.

I am excited to write a New Year's card.

• 年賀状 - New Year's card
• を - object particle
• 書く - write
• のが - nominal particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ - Prazer, diversão
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

年月が過ぎるのは早いものだ。

Toshidzuki ga sugiru no wa hayai mono da

The years passed quickly.

• 年月 - means "years and months" in Japanese
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 過ぎる - verb that means "pass" or "overtake"
• の - particle that indicates a nominal phrase
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 早い - adjective that means "fast" or "early"
• もの - noun meaning "thing" or "object"
• だ - verb that indicates the affirmative present form of the sentence

年長者は尊敬されるべきだ。

Nenchōsha wa sonkei sareru beki da

The older ones must be respected.

The elder must be respected.

• 年長者 - means "older person" or "elderly".
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "年長者".
• 尊敬 - means "respect" or "admiration".
• される - passive form of the verb "suru", which means "to be done" or "to happen". In this case, it indicates that respect is something that is "done" or "happens" towards the elderly.
• べき - indicates obligation or duty. In this case, it indicates that it is a duty to respect the elderly.
• だ - shortened form of "desu", which is a polite way of saying "to be" or "to be". In this case, it indicates that the sentence is an affirmation.

彼女は来年赤ちゃんを産む予定です。

Kanojo wa rainen akachan o umu yotei desu

She plans to have a baby next year.

She will have a baby next year.

• 彼女 - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "she" is the subject of the sentence
• 来年 - means "next year" in Japanese
• 赤ちゃん - means "baby" in Japanese
• を - object particle in Japanese, indicating that "baby" is the object of the action
• 産む - means "to give birth" in Japanese
• 予定 - means "plan" or "schedule" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative

晩年を豊かに過ごしたいです。

Ban'nenn wo yutaka ni sugoshitai desu

I want to spend my years old rich and satisfactorily.

I want to spend my last rich years.

• 晩年 (ban nen) - It means "final years" or "last years" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 豊か (yutaka) - means "rich" or "abundant" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 過ごしたい (sugoshitai) - It means "to want to pass" or "to want to live" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - polite way of "being" in Japanese

来年は良い年になります。

Rainen wa yoi toshi ni narimasu

Next year will be a good year.

• 来年 - Next year
• は - Topic particle
• 良い - good
• 年 - Year
• に - target particle
• なります - become

私は今年二十歳です。

Watashi wa kotoshi nijuu sai desu

I am 20 years old this year.

I am 20 years old this year.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 今年 (kotoshi) - noun meaning "this year"
• 二十 (hatachi) - numeral meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - suffix indicating age
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form