Kotoshi refers to the current calendar year, acting as the bridge between last year and next year.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the current calendar year.
- Commonly used in daily conversations and plans.
- Essential vocabulary for time-related expressions.
類語との比較
「本年（ほんねん）」は「今年」の硬い表現で、公的な文書やフォーマルな挨拶（例：本年もよろしくお願いいたします）で使われます。「今年」は口語的で、親しい間柄や日常的な会話に適しています。
Examples
今年はとても暑いですね。
everydayIt is very hot this year.
本年は格別のご愛顧を賜り、厚く御礼申し上げます。
formalWe sincerely thank you for your patronage this year.
今年、何する？
informalWhat are you doing this year?
今年の研究成果は昨年度を上回った。
academicThis year's research results exceeded last year's.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
今年こそ
This year for sure
今年に入って
Since the beginning of this year
今年になってから
Since it became this year
Often Confused With
Honnen is a formal version of Kotoshi. It is used in written documents and professional settings, while Kotoshi is for daily life.
Konnendo refers to the fiscal or academic year, which usually starts in April in Japan. Kotoshi refers strictly to the calendar year from January to December.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Kotoshi is the standard term for the current year in almost all contexts. Use Honnen when writing formal letters or emails to clients or superiors. Avoid using Kotoshi in highly formal written reports if a more professional tone is required.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often add the particle 'ni' after 'kotoshi' (e.g., 'Kotoshi ni...'). While not strictly ungrammatical, it is usually unnecessary and sounds slightly unnatural. Remember that time words like 'kotoshi' often act as adverbs without particles.
Tips
Use with particles for clarity
While 'Kotoshi' can stand alone, adding 'wa' or 'ni' helps clarify the focus of your sentence. For example, 'Kotoshi wa...' sets the topic for the entire year.
Avoid confusing with 'konnen'
Although 'konnen' sounds like it could mean 'this year', it is not standard in spoken Japanese. Stick to 'kotoshi' to avoid sounding unnatural.
New Year greetings
In Japan, people use 'honnen' (a formal version of kotoshi) in New Year cards. It is a sign of politeness and formal respect.
Word Origin
Kotoshi is a compound of 'koto' (this) and 'toshi' (year). It has been used in Japanese since ancient times to denote the present year.
Cultural Context
In Japan, the calendar is very important for business and school, which start in April. Therefore, people often distinguish between the calendar year (Kotoshi) and the fiscal year (Konnendo).
Memory Tip
Think of 'Kotoshi' as 'Koto' (things/events) + 'shi' (time). It is the time for all the things happening now.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「今年」は日常会話で広く使われる一般的な表現です。一方、「本年」はよりフォーマルで、ビジネスメールや公的な文書で使われます。
「ことし」が一般的ですが、古風な表現や詩的な文脈で「こんねん」と読まれることもあります。ただし、現代の会話では「ことし」と読むのが正解です。
1月1日から12月31日まで、その年が終わるまで使います。年が明けると「去年」になります。
英語では「this year」です。文中の位置は日本語と異なり、文末や文頭に置かれることが多いです。
Test Yourself
___は、日本語を一生懸命勉強します。
文脈から現在進行中の年を指す「今年」が最適です。
正しい文はどれですか？
「今年」は時間を示す名詞なので、通常は助詞を伴わず直接文に組み込みます。
（目標 / です / 今年 / の / 私 / 卒業 ）
所有格の「の」を使い、自然な語順に整えます。
Score: /3
Summary
Kotoshi refers to the current calendar year, acting as the bridge between last year and next year.
- Refers to the current calendar year.
- Commonly used in daily conversations and plans.
- Essential vocabulary for time-related expressions.
Use with particles for clarity
While 'Kotoshi' can stand alone, adding 'wa' or 'ni' helps clarify the focus of your sentence. For example, 'Kotoshi wa...' sets the topic for the entire year.
Avoid confusing with 'konnen'
Although 'konnen' sounds like it could mean 'this year', it is not standard in spoken Japanese. Stick to 'kotoshi' to avoid sounding unnatural.
New Year greetings
In Japan, people use 'honnen' (a formal version of kotoshi) in New Year cards. It is a sign of politeness and formal respect.
Examples
4 of 4今年はとても暑いですね。
It is very hot this year.
本年は格別のご愛顧を賜り、厚く御礼申し上げます。
We sincerely thank you for your patronage this year.
今年、何する？
What are you doing this year?
今年の研究成果は昨年度を上回った。
This year's research results exceeded last year's.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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.
