往年|おうねんounen[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectiveyears gone by; earlier years; former years; the past

• Synonym往時おうじWrittenWritten word for bygone days, stressing the past era itself; 「往年」 broadly covers past years and often modifies people or things, as in 「往年の名選手」.
• Synonym往日おうじつWrittenDays gone by; rare even in writing and carries a nostalgic feel. In everyday use, say 「昔」 or 「往年」.
• Related昔むかしNeutralThe everyday word for the past, covering both distant and recent times, as in 「昔話」; 「往年」 is more literary.
• Related従前じゅうぜんWrittenOfficialese word for before or up to now, as in 「従前どおり」; centers on prior practices or rules rather than bygone years.
• Related昔年せきねんWrittenA literary word for old times, rarely seen even in writing; 「往年」 or 「昔」 is the usual choice.
• Antonym近年きんねんNeutralRecent years, standing opposite 「往年」's bygone years, as in 「近年の傾向」.
• Antonym現今げんこんWrittenThe present day, in written style, set against 「往年」's past years, as in 「現今の情勢」.

For past years in general, use 「往年」, as in 「往年の名選手」 or 「往年の勢い」. In everyday talk say 「昔」; in official prose 「従前」; for bygone days in writing 「往時」. The opposites are 「近年」 and 「現今」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 過ぎ去すぎさった昔むかし。