年鑑

• Reading: ねんかん
• Romaji: nenkan
• Kanji breakdown: 年 (nen/toshi) — year; 鑑 (kan/kagami) — mirror, model, reference
• Pronunciation: /neɴ.kaɴ/

Meaning

Yearbook; annual publication; a reference book published once a year.

A noun referring to a publication that compiles the events, statistics, or records of a particular year. Common examples: 統計年鑑 (toukei nenkan, statistical yearbook), 天文年鑑 (tenmon nenkan, astronomical almanac). Distinct from 年間 (nenkan, yearly/annual period) which describes a time span. Used primarily in academic, governmental, and media contexts.

Examples

1. 図書館で去年の統計年鑑を調べた。 I looked up last year's statistical yearbook at the library.
2. 学校の年鑑に自分の写真が載っていた。 My photo was in the school yearbook.
3. 年鑑を見れば過去のデータがわかる。 You can find past data by looking at the yearbook.

Usage Guide

Context: libraries, research, publishing

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Composed of 年 (year) and 鑑 (mirror/model/reference). Together they mean 'a reference mirror for the year,' a publication that reflects the events and data of that period.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated