元号

• Reading: げんごう
• Romaji: gengō
• Kanji breakdown: 元 (gen/moto) — origin, beginning; 号 (gō) — name, designation
• Pronunciation: /ɡeŋ.ɡoː/

Meaning

Era name; the official name given to a reign period in the Japanese imperial system. Japan currently uses the era Reiwa, which began in 2019.

A noun fundamental to the Japanese date system. Japan uses 元号 alongside the Western calendar (西暦). Each era begins with the accession of a new emperor. Common eras include 明治, 大正, 昭和, 平成, and 令和. Official documents in Japan frequently use 元号 dates. The system originated in China and was first adopted by Japan in 645 CE with the era 大化.

Examples

1. 令和という元号は2019年から始まった。 The era name Reiwa began in 2019.
2. 日本では公文書に元号を使うことが多い。 In Japan, official documents often use the era name system.
3. 元号が変わるたびに新しい時代の始まりを感じる人が多い。 Many people feel a sense of a new era beginning each time the era name changes.

Usage Guide

Context: government, history, dates, Japanese culture, official documents

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Classical Chinese. 元 means 'origin' or 'beginning'; 号 means 'name' or 'designation'. The term denotes the official name designating a period of rule, a system that spread across East Asia from China.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal