adverb, noun
year after year; every year; annually
A yojijukugo emphasizing the passage of years, often with a sense of continuity or repetition. Used in formal or literary contexts.
歳歳年年、同じ祭りがこの町で開かれる。
Year after year, the same festival is held in this town.
歳歳年年、人は変わりゆく。
People change as the years go by.
毎年 is the common, everyday word for 'every year', while 歳歳年年 is a literary yojijukugo with a more poetic or formal tone.
年々 also means 'year by year' but is more neutral and commonly used; 歳歳年年 adds emphasis through reduplication and is more literary.
A yojijukugo formed by reduplication of 歳 (year) and 年 (year), emphasizing the continuous passage of years. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern in classical Chinese-influenced expressions.