前まえ厄やく

noun

the year before a critical age; the year before an inauspicious year

Refers to the year immediately preceding a person's 厄年 (yakudoshi), a traditionally unlucky age in Japanese culture. Often associated with preventive rituals or visits to shrines.

See also: 厄年

• 来らい年ねんは本ほん厄やくだから、今年ことしは前まえ厄やくにあたる。

  Next year is my main unlucky year, so this year is the year before it.

• 前まえ厄やくのうちにお祓はらいを受うける人ひとも多おおい。

  Many people undergo purification rituals during the year before their critical age.