1.
time, years, the passage of time
A literary word for a long stretch of time that has passed. Carries a reflective, sometimes wistful tone about the flow of months and years.
長い歳月が流れた。
Many years have passed.
歳月とともに記憶は薄れていく。
Memories fade with the passage of time.
完成までに長い歳月と多大な費用がかかった。
It took many years and great expense to complete.
USAGE:
A somewhat literary word. More evocative and reflective than 時間 or 年月. Often used when looking back on a significant span of time or when emphasizing the weight of time passed. Common in written language, speeches, and narrative.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 歳月が流れる: time passes (poetic)
- 歳月が経つ: years go by
- 長い歳月: many years, a long time
- 歳月をかける: to spend years on something
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 年月: years and months (more neutral, less literary)
- 月日: days and months, time (everyday, warm tone)
- 時: time (general, abstract)