noun-modifying (irregular)
annual; yearly
Prenominal modifier used in formal or business contexts for yearly events, reports, plans, etc.
年次報告書を提出してください。
Please submit the annual report.
He studied abroad in his third year.
年次計画を見直す必要がある。
We need to review the annual plan.
year of entry/graduation; class year
Suffix attached to a year or event to indicate the year of joining, graduating, etc. Common in phrases like 入社年次 or 卒業年次.
彼は入社年次が私より一つ上だ。
He joined the company one year before me.
nth-year (student/employee)
Suffix used after a number to indicate the year of study or employment. E.g., 2年次 means second-year student or employee.
彼は大学の3年次に留学した。
He studied abroad in his third year of university.
1年次の社員は研修を受ける。
First-year employees receive training.
彼は私より年次が上だ。
He is senior to me in years of service.
Tanaka and I are from the same class year.
The company announced its annual plan.
毎年 is a common adverb meaning 'every year', while 年次 is a more formal prenominal modifier used in business or official contexts.
annual leave; annual paid vacation
annual report
annual general meeting; AGM
annual paid leave; annual paid vacation
Compound of 年 (year) and 次 (order, sequence). The meaning 'annual' derives from the notion of something occurring in yearly order, while the suffix uses extend the idea of sequential year numbering.