also: こういん
noun
Metal Tiger; 27th term of the sexagenary cycle
Refers to the 27th year in the 60-year cycle, combining the celestial stem 庚 (Metal) and the earthly branch 寅 (Tiger). Used in traditional East Asian calendar systems and astrology.
See also: 干支
2010年は庚寅の年でした。
2010 was the year of the Metal Tiger.
庚寅は干支の27番目にあたります。
Kanoe-tora is the 27th term of the sexagenary cycle.
干支 is the general term for the sexagenary cycle or the Chinese zodiac. 庚寅 is one specific term within that cycle.
Combination of the celestial stem 庚 (kanoe, Metal) and the earthly branch 寅 (tora, Tiger). The native Japanese reading かのえとら derives from the older names for these stems and branches.