JLPT · Level 104
46 words
Japanese word
年号
Pronunciation
Romajinengō
Meaning
- nounera name
Example
新しい年号が決まりました。atara shi i nen gō ga ki ma ri ma shi ta
A new era name was chosen.
More examples
この手紙に書かれた年号から、年代を推測できます。ko no te gami ni ka ka re ta nen gō ka ra nen dai o sui soku de ki ma su
You can estimate the period from the era name written in this letter.
Core concept
It gives a historical period a recognized name that also identifies the years belonging to it.
Common phrases
年号を定めるnen gō o sada me ru
establish an era name
年号を改めるnen gō o arata me ru
change the era name
Similar words
元号gengō: A name assigned to a period of an emperor's reign and used to label its years.
Definition in Japanese
時代を区切り、その期間の年を示すために定めた名称。ji dai o ku gi ri so no ki kan no toshi o shime su ta me ni sada me ta mei shō
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese word 年号 (nengō) combines 年 (nen, "year") with 号 (gō, "name or designation") to mean a name assigned to years.
Usage tips
- The current Japanese 年号 (nengō) is Reiwa, which began in 2019 and appears in dates used in Japan.