Translation guide
Expresses a long span of time, typically years. Japanese uses various nouns and adverbs depending on whether you mean 'many years' as a duration, a point in time, or a recurring period.
To say that something takes or lasts for many years.
Commonly used to mean 'for many years' or 'over many years'. Often used with verbs like 続ける (continue) or かかる (take time).
He has been working at this company for many years.
That project took many years.
More formal and often used in written language or official contexts. Can also mean 'many years' as a duration.
The results of many years of research were announced.
Literally 'many years', used adverbially to mean 'for years' or 'for many years'. Very common in everyday speech.
I waited for many years.
She has been studying English for many years.
Emphasizes the length of time, often with a sense of passage. Can be used for 'many years' or 'long years'.
Many years passed.
To refer to something that happened many years ago or will happen many years from now.
Means 'many years ago'. The も emphasizes the quantity.
That's an event from many years ago.
Means 'many years from now' or 'many years in the future'.
Refers to 'years gone by' or 'the old days', often used in nostalgic contexts. Not a direct translation of 'many years' but can imply a long past period.
To express that something happens annually over a long period.
Directly translating 'many years' as 多くの年 (おおくのとし) is unnatural in Japanese. Use the expressions above instead.
長年 (ながねん) is a single word often used in formal or written contexts, while 何年も (なんねんも) is more colloquial and flexible. Both mean 'for many years'.
Completion will be many years from now.
往年の名選手
A great player of many years past
年々、技術が進歩している。
Technology advances year by year (over many years).