Kotoshi refers to the current calendar year and is used universally in all registers.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the current calendar year.
- Used frequently in both daily life and business.
- Positioned between last year and next year.
Overview
- 1概要：「ことし」は、現在私たちが生きているその年を指す名詞です。漢字では「今年」と書きます。時間軸の中で「去年（きょねん）」と「来年（らいねん）」の間に位置する現在の年を指す、最も基本的で頻繁に使われる言葉の一つです。2) 使用パターン：単体で「ことしは〜」のように主語になったり、「ことしの目標」のように名詞を修飾したりします。また、助詞を伴わず副詞的に「ことし、私は〜」と使うこともあります。3) 一般的な文脈：日常会話では「今年は暑いですね」のような挨拶から、ビジネスでは「今年度の売上」といった計画や実績の報告まで幅広く使われます。4) 類似語との比較：「本年（ほんねん）」という言葉もありますが、これは「今年」の硬い表現であり、公式な文書やスピーチで好まれます。一方、「今年」は親しい間柄からフォーマルな場まで万能に使えます。
Examples
ことしはとても暑いですね。
everydayIt is very hot this year, isn't it?
本年の業績は順調です。
formalThis year's performance is going well.
ことしこそ旅行に行こう！
informalI'm definitely going on a trip this year!
ことしの研究テーマを決定した。
academicI have decided on this year's research theme.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
ことし一年
The whole of this year
ことしこそ
This year, for sure
ことし中
Within this year
Often Confused With
Honnen is a formal, Sino-Japanese version of Kotoshi. It is used primarily in written reports or formal speeches.
Konendo refers specifically to the fiscal or academic year, which often starts in April in Japan, rather than the calendar year.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Kotoshi is the standard word for 'this year' in Japanese. It is neutral and appropriate in almost every social context. When writing formal letters or business documents, you might opt for 'honnen' instead to sound more professional.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes confuse Kotoshi with Konnen. While Konnen is technically correct, it sounds unnatural in daily conversation. Also, remember that it refers to the calendar year (Jan-Dec), not the fiscal year.
Tips
Use Kotoshi for all situations
Kotoshi is versatile and works in both casual and formal settings. You don't need to worry about being too informal when using it.
Don't confuse with Konnen
While Konnen means the same thing, it is an Sino-Japanese reading and sounds much stiffer. Use Kotoshi for speaking.
New Year resolutions
Japanese people often discuss their goals for 'Kotoshi' during the New Year holidays. It is a common conversation starter.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of 'Ko' (this) and 'Toshi' (year). It has been used in Japanese since ancient times to denote the current year.
Cultural Context
In Japan, the year is very significant for planning. People often write their 'Kotoshi no mokuhyo' (this year's goals) at the start of the year.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Koto' (thing) + 'Shi' (year/time). It's the 'year of things' happening right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「ことし」は日常会話からビジネスまで幅広く使えますが、「本年」はよりフォーマルで、公的な文章やスピーチなどで使われる硬い表現です。
漢字では「今年」と書きます。音読みで「こんねん」と読むこともありますが、意味は同じです。
1月1日から12月31日までの期間を指します。年が明けると「去年」に変わります。
はい、正しいです。「ことしの夏」「ことしの目標」のように、後ろの名詞を修飾する形で非常によく使われます。
Test Yourself
___は、日本語を一生懸命勉強します。
文脈的に現在の年を指す「ことし」が最適です。
今年について正しい説明はどれですか？
今年（ことし）は現在進行中の年を指します。
（目標 / ことし / 私の / です / は）
「ことしの」が「私の目標」を修飾する形が自然です。
Score: /3
Summary
Kotoshi refers to the current calendar year and is used universally in all registers.
- Refers to the current calendar year.
- Used frequently in both daily life and business.
- Positioned between last year and next year.
Use Kotoshi for all situations
Kotoshi is versatile and works in both casual and formal settings. You don't need to worry about being too informal when using it.
Don't confuse with Konnen
While Konnen means the same thing, it is an Sino-Japanese reading and sounds much stiffer. Use Kotoshi for speaking.
New Year resolutions
Japanese people often discuss their goals for 'Kotoshi' during the New Year holidays. It is a common conversation starter.
Examples
4 of 4ことしはとても暑いですね。
It is very hot this year, isn't it?
本年の業績は順調です。
This year's performance is going well.
ことしこそ旅行に行こう！
I'm definitely going on a trip this year!
ことしの研究テーマを決定した。
I have decided on this year's research theme.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
じゅうしょ
A2The particulars of the place where someone lives.
住所
A2address, residence
～後
A2after
目覚まし
B1Alarm clock. A clock that makes a noise to wake someone up.
目覚まし時計
B1An alarm clock.
もう少し
B1A little more.
ひとりで
A2Alone.
~のに
B1Even though; despite (particle/conjunction).
ごぜん
A2Morning (a.m.).
煩い
B1Noisy; annoying.
