Translation guide
The English phrase "every year" can be expressed in Japanese through adverbs, nouns, or set phrases. The most common and versatile option is 毎年 (まいとし/まいねん), which directly means "every year." Other expressions like 年々 (ねんねん) emphasize year-by-year change, while 例年 (れいねん) refers to an average or typical year. The choice depends on whether you are talking about a recurring event, a trend, or a comparison to other years.
To say that something happens each year, without exception or as a regular occurrence.
The most common and neutral way to say 'every year.' Can be read as まいとし or まいねん; both are widely used, with まいとし slightly more common in speech.
毎年、家族で旅行に行きます。
Every year, I go on a trip with my family.
このお祭りは毎年8月に開催されます。
This festival is held every year in August.
Used to describe something that happens almost every year, often with a nuance of frequency or inevitability.
彼は毎年のように新しい車を買っている。
He buys a new car almost every year.
Literally 'once per year.' Used when specifying the frequency of an event, often in schedules or formal contexts.
健康診断は年1回受けてください。
Please get a health checkup once a year.
To describe a gradual change or comparison from one year to the next.
Means 'year by year' or 'annually,' emphasizing a continuous trend or change over time. Often used with verbs like 増える (increase) or 減る (decrease).
この町の人口は年々減少している。
The population of this town is decreasing every year.
年々、技術が進歩している。
Technology is advancing year by year.
Using 毎年 with a progressive verb form can also express an ongoing trend, but 年々 is more natural for emphasizing the incremental change.
毎年、物価が上がっている。
Prices are rising every year.
To refer to what usually happens in a given year, or to compare a specific year to the norm.
Means 'average year' or 'usual year.' Used when talking about typical annual patterns, such as weather, events, or statistics.
今年の夏は例年より暑い。
This summer is hotter than usual (than an average year).
例年通り、会議は3月に開かれる。
As every year, the meeting is held in March.
Means 'about the same as an average year.' Often used in weather forecasts or economic reports.
今年の米の収穫量は例年並みだ。
This year's rice harvest is about average.
To describe something that is held or celebrated once a year.
A formal term meaning 'annual,' used in official names of events, reports, or meetings. Not used in casual conversation.
年次報告書を提出してください。
Please submit the annual report.
Means 'once-a-year' and is used as a modifier for special events or occasions.
年に一度の大掃除をした。
I did the annual big cleaning.
毎年 simply states that something happens every year. 年々 emphasizes a gradual change over the years. 例年 refers to a typical or average year, often used for comparison. Choose based on whether you are describing a recurring event, a trend, or a norm.
English phrases like 'every single year' for emphasis do not have a direct equivalent. Instead, use 毎年必ず (まいとしかならず) or 毎年欠かさず (まいとしかかさず) to add emphasis, but these can sound strong. Often, 毎年 alone is sufficient.