Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a year that is difficult, unlucky, or marked by misfortune. Japanese offers several words and phrases depending on whether the focus is on personal hardship, poor harvest, economic downturn, or general unluckiness.
Describing a year that was hard for an individual due to bad luck, illness, or personal struggles.
Refers to a traditional unlucky age or year, but often used loosely to mean a year of bad luck or hardship.
今年は厄年みたいな年だった。
This year felt like a really unlucky year.
A direct translation meaning 'bad year'. It is natural but somewhat plain; often used in simple statements.
去年は悪い年だった。
Last year was a bad year.
Means a terrible or disastrous year, emphasizing a series of unfortunate events.
今年は本当に散々な年だった。
This year was a truly terrible year.
Literally 'unlucky year'. More formal and less common in casual speech.
彼にとっては不運な年だった。
It was an unlucky year for him.
Referring to a year when crops failed or food was scarce.
Means a bad harvest or crop failure. Often used in agricultural or historical contexts.
今年は凶作の年だった。
This year was a year of poor harvest.
Also means poor harvest, but slightly less severe than 凶作. Common in everyday farming talk.
Means famine. Used for severe food shortages affecting a wide area.
Describing a year when the economy performed poorly.
Means a year of recession or economic slump. Common in news and business contexts.
2008年は世界的な不況の年だった。
2008 was a year of global recession.
A more casual way to say a year with bad economic conditions.
今年は景気の悪い年になりそうだ。
This year looks like it will be a bad year for the economy.
Years of poor harvest continue.
That year was a great famine.