Japanese Conversation · Level 71
75 words
Japanese word
一昨年
Pronunciation
Romajiototoshi
Meaning
- adverbthe year before last
Example
一昨年、家族と東京へ行きました。ototoshi ka zoku to tō kyō e i ki ma shi ta
I went to Tokyo with my family the year before last.
More examples
一昨年は大学を卒業して、今は会社で働いています。ototoshi wa dai gaku o sotsu gyō shi te ima wa gai sha de hatara i te i ma su
I graduated from college the year before last, and now I work for a company.
Core concept
Marks a whole calendar year that comes two years before the present year.
Common phrases
一昨年の夏ototoshi no natsu
the summer before last
一昨年からototoshi ka ra
since the year before last
Similar words
前々年zenzennen: A formal term for the full calendar year two years before the present year.
Definition in Japanese
現在の年から二つ前の年に。gen zai no toshi ka ra futa tsu mae no toshi ni
Word origin
The spelling 一昨年 (ototoshi) combines 一 (ichi, "one") with 昨年 (sakunen, "last year"), marking one year before last year.
Usage tips
- Unlike English "two years ago," 一昨年 (ototoshi) names a complete calendar year rather than an exact point two years before now.