also: ふるとし
noun, adverb
the old year; last year
Refers to the previous year, often used in New Year's greetings or when contrasting with the new year. The reading きゅうねん is more formal; ふるとし is colloquial and often written in kana.
旧年中は大変お世話になりました。
Thank you very much for your kindness during the past year.
ふるとしのことは忘れて、新しい一年を始めよう。
Let's forget about last year and start the new year.
Kana spelling for the reading ふるとし, which is more common than the kanji form.
Compound of 旧 (old, former) and 年 (year). The reading きゅうねん is on'yomi; ふるとし is a kun'yomi reading where 旧 is read as ふる (old) and 年 as とし (year).