百ひゃく年ねん目め

noun

the hundredth year

Literal meaning: the 100th year of an era, period, or age. Often used in historical or chronological contexts.

• この町まちは百ひゃく年ねん目めを迎むかえた。

  This town reached its hundredth year.

noun

end of one's rope; out of luck; rare chance; unusually good fortune

Idiomatic use derived from the idea of a once-in-a-century event. Sense 2 (out of luck) is often used in the phrase 百年目の不作 (a once-in-a-century bad harvest). Sense 3 (rare chance) is less common and may appear in expressions like 百年目の幸運 (once-in-a-century luck). Both are figurative and somewhat literary.

• 今年ことしの不ふ作さくは百ひゃく年ねん目めだと言いわれている。

  This year's poor harvest is said to be a once-in-a-century event.

• こんな幸こう運うんは百ひゃく年ねん目めだ。

  Such good fortune is a once-in-a-century occurrence.