Translation guide
Expressions for referring to past years, earlier periods, or previous years in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you mean 'in the past generally', 'a specific previous year', or 'the early part of a period'.
Referring to years gone by in a general, often nostalgic or reflective sense.
A common, natural word for 'long ago' or 'in the old days'. Covers 'former years' when speaking generally about the past.
In former years, this area was all rice fields.
A direct translation meaning 'previous years' or 'years before'. More formal and less common in casual speech.
Compared to former years, this year's sales are growing.
Literary or formal word for 'years gone by', often used in set phrases like 往年の名選手 (a great player of former years).
Masterpieces of former years are being revived in theaters.
Referring specifically to the year immediately before the current one.
Standard word for 'last year'. More formal than 去年 but very common in writing and polite speech.
This time last year I was abroad.
Casual and common word for 'last year'. Used in everyday conversation.
Means 'the previous year' in a relative sense, often used in business or statistical contexts.
Referring to the early part of a specific era, reign, or period.
去年 is everyday 'last year'. 昨年 is slightly more formal, common in writing and polite speech. 前年 is relative 'the year before' and is typical in reports or comparisons.
Last summer was hot.
I will report last year's sales.
Profits increased from the previous year.
The phrase 'former years' does not have a single direct equivalent. Translating it word-for-word as 前の年々 or 以前の年々 sounds unnatural. Choose the expression based on the specific meaning you intend.
Last year was a tough year.
前年比で10％の増加となった。
There was a 10% increase compared to the former year.
The early years of the 1990s were the period of the bubble collapse.