永年(えいねん)

えいねん
noun, adverb
many years; long service
formaltime-period
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(えいねん)の夢(ゆめ)がかなった。
My long-cherished dream came true.
永年(えいねん)勤続(きんぞく)の表彰(ひょうしょう)を受(う)けた。
He received an award for long years of service.
永年(えいねん)にわたって地域(ちいき)の活動(かつどう)を支(ささ)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(ながねん) is preferred.

Common collocations

  • 永年(えいねん)勤続(きんぞく): long service (at a company)
  • 永年(えいねん)会員(かいいん): long-standing member
  • 永年(えいねん)にわたって: over many years

Similar words