何年(なんねん)

なんねん
noun
how many years, what year
time-general
1. how many years
Used to ask about a duration or quantity of years.
日本(にほん)に何年(なんねん)住(す)んでいますか。
How many years have you lived in Japan?
この問題(もんだい)は何年(なんねん)も続(つづ)いているが、まだ解決(かいけつ)していない。
This problem has continued for many years, but it still hasn't been resolved.
何年(なんねん)も means 'for many years' (emphatic, not a question).
2. what year
Used to ask which year something occurred or will occur.
何年(なんねん)に生(う)まれましたか。
What year were you born?

何年(なんねん) combines 何(なん) (what/how many) with 年(ねん) (year).

Usage

  • As a question: how many years / what year
  • With も: 何年(なんねん)も = for many years (emphatic, not a question)

Common patterns

  • 何年(なんねん)ですか: What year is it?
  • 何年(なんねん)に: in what year
  • 何年(なんねん)も: for many years
  • 何年(なんねん)も前(まえ)に: many years ago
  • 何年(なんねん)生(せい): what school year

Related words

Related Words

Related: 何日(なんにち) (how many days / what date)
Related: 何月(なんがつ) (what month)
general
Added 2026.2.22 15:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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