昔年(せきねん)

せきねん
noun
former years; olden days; years past
formaltime-period
1. former years; olden days; years past
A literary and formal term referring to times long gone by. Used to evoke a sense of nostalgia or historical distance, typically in written or formal spoken contexts.
昔年(せきねん)の面影(おもかげ)が残(のこ)っている。
Traces of former times remain.
昔年(せきねん)の恩(おん)を忘(わす)れることはない。
I will never forget the kindness shown to me in years past.
昔年(せきねん)の栄華(えいが)を偲(しの)ばせる城跡(しろあと)が、静(しず)かに丘(おか)の上(うえ)に立(た)っていた。
The castle ruins, evoking the splendor of bygone years, stood quietly atop the hill.

Composed of 昔(せき) (past, former — the on'yomi of 昔(むかし)) and 年(ねん) (year). A literary and formal word that is used almost exclusively in written language, speeches, and formal essays. In everyday conversation, 昔(むかし) or 以前(いぜん) would be used instead.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 昔(むかし): long ago — the everyday word for the past
  • 往年(おうねん): past years — also literary but more commonly seen, especially in 往年(おうねん)の (of former days)
  • 旧年(きゅうねん): last year; the old year — specifically the previous year, often used at New Year
general
Added 2026.5.5 1:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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