1.
many years; a long period; long service
A long span of years. Most often seen in set expressions praising long, continuous service or membership, and in formal or written contexts rather than everyday speech.
永年の夢がかなった。
My long-cherished dream came true.
永年勤続の表彰を受けた。
He received an award for long years of service.
永年にわたって地域の活動を支えてきた。
She has supported the community's activities for many years.
A formal, largely written word meaning "long years." It appears mostly in fixed expressions rather than as a free noun in conversation, where 長年 is preferred.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 永年勤続: long service (at a company)
- 永年会員: long-standing member
- 永年にわたって: over many years
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 長年: many years — the everyday word; interchangeable in most sentences and far more common in speech
- 永久: permanence, eternity — stresses "forever," not just "a long time"