Korean word

재작년

Pronunciation

Romanizationchaejangnyeon

Meaning

  • nounthe year before last

Example

재작년에는 일이 많았어요.chae jang nyeo ne neun i ri ma na sseo yo

There was a lot of work the year before last.

Illustration for 재작년 (the year before last)

More examples

재작년부터 한국어를 공부했어요.chae jang nyeon bu teo han gu geo reul kong bu hae sseo yo

I started studying Korean the year before last.

Core concept

A point two calendar years behind the present year, with last year between it and now.

Common phrases

  • 재작년부터chae jang nyeon bu teo

    from the year before last

  • 재작년에 비해chae jang nyeo ne pi hae

    in comparison with the year before last

Similar words

작년changnyeon: The previous calendar year in its entirety.
올해olhae: The year covering the present time.
지지난해chijinanhae: A calendar year two years back, separated from now by one intervening year.

Definition in Korean

올해를 기준으로 두 해 전의 해를 가리키는 말.ol hae reul ki ju neu ro tu hae cheo nui hae reul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

The word combines Sino-Korean elements meaning "again" and "last year" to place the year one step earlier than last year.

Usage tips

  • The nearby word 작년 (jangnyeon, "last year") refers to one year back, while 재작년 (jaejangnyeon, "the year before last") refers to two years back.

Opposites

Word lists with this word