year of a large crop; good year (for fruit, etc.)
Refers to a year when harvests, especially fruit, are abundant. Often contrasted with なり年 (なりどし), a poor crop year.
See also: 生り年 (なりどし)
今年はみかんの表年で、たくさん収穫できた。
This year is a good year for mandarin oranges, and we had a large harvest.
表年と裏年を繰り返す果樹もある。
Some fruit trees alternate between good years and bad years.
high pollen year
Used specifically for years with high pollen counts, especially cedar pollen, which affects hay fever sufferers. This usage is an extension of the 'abundant year' meaning.
今年はスギ花粉の表年で、花粉症がひどい。
This year is a high cedar pollen year, and my hay fever is severe.
bad year for fruit; off year · low pollen year
Compound of 表 (おもて, 'front' or 'surface') and 年 (どし, 'year'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but 表 likely implies a 'prominent' or 'good' year, contrasting with 裏 (うら, 'back') for a poor year.