Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
年号 (ねんごう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
Japanese era name ; imperial era name
Refers to the named Japanese imperial era used in dates, such as 明治, 昭和, 平成, or 令和. 元号 is a very close synonym and is often preferred in official contexts.
See also: 元号
るい
に
は
西せい
暦れき
で
は
なく
年ねん
号ごう
で
日ひ
付づけ
を
書か
い
て
ください
。
Please write the date on this form using the Japanese era name rather than the Western calendar year.
Similar words 元げん 号ごう Very close synonym for an imperial era name; 元号 is often used in official or administrative contexts, while 年号 is also common in everyday explanation.
西せい 暦れき Means the Western/Common Era calendar year, such as 2026, as opposed to a Japanese era-based date such as 令和8年.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound of 年, 'year,' and 号, 'name, designation, number'; the spelling transparently points to a designation used for years.
