今年(ことし)

ことし
noun, adverb
this year
1. this year
The current year; the year we are in now. Used to talk about events, plans, or states within the present year.
今年(ことし)は忙(いそが)しいです。
I'm busy this year.
今年(ことし)の夏(なつ)はどこに行(い)きますか。
Where are you going this summer?
今年(ことし)は雪(ゆき)が多(おお)かったです。
There was a lot of snow this year.
今年(ことし)は旅行(りょこう)に行(い)きたいので、毎月(まいつき)少(すこ)しずつお金(かね)を貯(た)めています。
I want to go on a trip this year, so I'm saving a little money each month.
今年(ことし)は去年(きょねん)より暖(あたた)かくて、桜(さくら)が早(はや)く咲(さ)きました。花見(はなみ)は三(さん)月(がつ)の終(お)わりにしましたが、天気(てんき)がよくてとてもきれいでした。
This year was warmer than last year, and the cherry blossoms bloomed early. We did hanami at the end of March, and the weather was good so it was very beautiful.

今年(ことし) means this year - the current year we are in.

READING NOTE:
The reading ことし is irregular. 今(こ) is not the standard reading of this kanji.

YEAR SERIES:

  • 去年(きょねん)/昨年(さくねん): last year
  • 今年(ことし)/本年(ほんねん): this year
  • 来年(らいねん): next year
  • 再来年(さらいねん): the year after next

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 今年(ことし)の[season/month]: this year's [season/month]
  • 今年(ことし)も: this year too
  • 今年(ことし)こそ: this year for sure

FORMALITY:

  • 今年(ことし): neutral
  • 本年(ほんねん): formal (used in business, official contexts)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:35 · Revised 2026.2.16 9:05
00500/00722_kotoshi