Translation guide
Expresses how something changes, happens, or is tracked on an annual basis.
Describing how something increases, decreases, or evolves each year.
Adverb meaning 'year by year' or 'annually', often used with verbs of change like 増える (increase) or 減る (decrease).
この町の人口は年々増えています。
The population of this town is increasing year by year.
Literally 'as the years pass', emphasizing gradual change over time. Slightly more formal or written.
年を追うごとに技術が進歩している。
Technology is advancing year by year.
Combines 'every year' with ～ていく to show ongoing change. Natural in spoken Japanese.
毎年暑くなっていくね。
It's getting hotter year by year, isn't it?
Listing or comparing figures, events, or achievements for each year.
Means 'by year' or 'for each year', used when presenting data or events separately per year.
年ごとの売上をグラフにまとめました。
I compiled the year-by-year sales into a graph.
Specifically 'by fiscal/academic year', common in business or educational contexts.
年度別の予算を比較する。
Compare the budget year by year (by fiscal year).
Formal written term meaning 'each year', often in reports or historical records.
各年のデータを分析した。
We analyzed the data for each year.
Comparing one year with the next, often in statistics or performance.
Abbreviation for 'year-on-year comparison', very common in business news.
売上は前年比110%でした。
Sales were 110% year on year.
Means 'compared to the previous year', used in formal reports.
対前年で5%の成長を記録した。
We recorded 5% growth year on year.
Avoid direct translations like '年によって年' (year by year) which is unnatural. Use the patterns above depending on context.
年々 emphasizes gradual change over years, while 毎年 simply means 'every year' as a recurring event. Use 年々 for trends, 毎年 for habits or schedules.
会社の利益は年々増加しています。
The company's profits are growing year by year.
年ごとのデータを見直します。
We review the year-by-year data.