年間(ねんかん)

ねんかん
counter
years (duration)
1. years (duration)
A counter for counting the duration of time in years. Emphasizes the span or period of time.
三(さん)年間(ねんかん)日本(にほん)に住(す)んでいました。
I lived in Japan for three years.
年間(ねんかん)売(う)り上(あ)げは百万(ひゃくまん)円(えん)です。
Annual sales are one million yen.
Using 年間 as 'annual'
十(じゅう)年間(ねんかん)の経験(けいけん)があります。
I have ten years of experience.

年間(ねんかん) emphasizes the span or duration of time in years, and can also function as a prefix meaning "annual" or "yearly."

TWO USES:
1. Duration counter: 三(さん)年間(ねんかん)住(す)んだ (lived for three years) — emphasizes the full span
2. Prefix meaning "annual": 年間(ねんかん)売(う)り上(あ)げ (annual sales), 年間(ねんかん)計画(けいかく) (annual plan)

COMMON COUNTING:

  • 一(いち)年間(ねんかん): one year (duration)
  • 数(すう)年間(ねんかん): several years
  • 十(じゅう)年間(ねんかん): ten years

CONTRAST WITH 年(ねん):
年(ねん) is the general counter for years (三(さん)年(ねん) = three years) and is also used for naming years (2024年(ねん)). 年間(ねんかん) specifically stresses the continuous period or span.

general
Added 2026.1.7 21:26 · Revised 2026.3.26 15:22
00500/00974_nenkan