年 号(ねんごう)

ねんごう

noun

era name

1. era name; name of an imperial era

A name assigned to a period of years in the Japanese calendar system, traditionally changing with each new emperor. Examples include 令和 (Reiwa), 平成 (Heisei), and 昭和 (Shōwa).

今(いま)の年号(ねんごう)は令和(れいわ)です。

The current era name is Reiwa.

新(あたら)しい年号(ねんごう)が発表(はっぴょう)されたとき、日本中(にほんじゅう)が注目(ちゅうもく)した。

When the new era name was announced, all of Japan paid attention.

日本(にほん)では西暦(せいれき)と年号(ねんごう)の両方(りょうほう)が使(つか)われていて、公的(こうてき)な書類(しょるい)には年号(ねんごう)が多(おお)い。

In Japan both the Western calendar and era names are used, and official documents often use the era name.

A fundamental concept in Japanese culture and daily life. Government documents, official forms, and many business documents use the 年号(ねんごう) system alongside or instead of the Western calendar (西暦(せいれき)). Learners in Japan will encounter 年号(ねんごう) on everything from insurance forms to driver's licenses.

Recent era names

令和(れいわ) (2019-present)
平成(へいせい) (1989-2019)
昭和(しょうわ) (1926-1989)
大正(たいしょう) (1912-1926)
明治(めいじ) (1868-1912)

Common collocations

年号(ねんごう)が変(か)わる: for the era name to change
年号(ねんごう)を使(つか)う: to use the era name system
新(しん)年号(ねんごう): new era name

Similar words

元号(げんごう): era name — synonymous; 元号(げんごう) is the more formal/official term, while 年号(ねんごう) is more commonly used in daily conversation
西暦(せいれき): Western calendar year — the Gregorian calendar system, the alternative to 年号(ねんごう)
和暦(われき): Japanese calendar — the calendar system based on 年号(ねんごう)

Related Words

Compare: 元号(げんごう) (era name)

Compare: 西暦(せいれき) (Western calendar year)

Compare: 和暦(われき) (Japanese calendar)

general

Added 2026.5.6 22:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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