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.
昔年の面影が残っている。
Traces of former times remain.
昔年の恩を忘れることはない。
I will never forget the kindness shown to me in years past.
昔年の栄華を偲ばせる城跡が、静かに丘の上に立っていた。
The castle ruins, evoking the splendor of bygone years, stood quietly atop the hill.
Composed of 昔 (past, former — the on'yomi of 昔) and 年 (year). A literary and formal word that is used almost exclusively in written language, speeches, and formal essays. In everyday conversation, 昔 or 以前 would be used instead.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 昔年の友: a friend from years past
- 昔年の記憶: memories of former years
- 昔年を懐かしむ: to look back fondly on past years
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 昔: long ago — the everyday word for the past
- 往年: past years — also literary but more commonly seen, especially in 往年の (of former days)
- 旧年: last year; the old year — specifically the previous year, often used at New Year