年々・年年|ねんねんnennen[0]heiban (flat)
としどしtoshidoshi
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
年々年々 is the more common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It is written entirely in kanji.
年年年年 is a less common written form than 年々. It is also written entirely in kanji, but beginners should generally choose 年々.
Definitions
- noun, adverbyear by year; annually; every year; from year to year
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym毎年まいとしNeutralNoun and adverb for 'every year' without exception; the most common everyday word, as in 「毎年夏に行く」 or 「毎年暑い」. Unlike 「年々」, it doesn't stress year-on-year change.
- Synonym年ごとにとしごとにNeutralA phrase for something that happens every year, stressing each individual year. 「年々」 instead highlights continuous change over the years, as in 「年々増える」.
- Related年年歳歳ねんねんさいさいWrittenA four-character idiom meaning year after year; poetic and literary, often used to lament the passing of the years.
Use 「年々」 for gradual change continuing year by year, as in 「年々暑くなる」. Use 「毎年」 for the everyday 'every year' with no nuance of change, 「年ごとに」 to stress each individual year, and 「年年歳歳」 for a poetic 'year after year'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- （ネンネン、としどし）毎年。
- （ネンネン）年がたつごとに、だんだん。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
