数年(すうねん)

すうねん
noun
several years; a few years
time-period
1. several years; a few years
An unspecified span of a few years, typically two to five or so. The prefix 数(すう) means 'several' or 'a number of'.
数年(すうねん)前(まえ)に引(ひ)っ越(こ)した。
I moved several years ago.
The town has changed a lot in these past few years.
It is expected to take several more years to complete.

The prefix 数(すう) ('several, a number of') attaches to counters to give a vague quantity.

Common collocations

  • 数年前(すうねんまえ): several years ago
  • この数年(すうねん): these past few years
  • 数年間(すうねんかん): over a period of several years

Related words