年間

• Reading: ねんかん
• Romaji: nenkan
• Kanji breakdown: 年 (nen) — year; 間 (kan) — interval, period, between
• Pronunciation: /ne.n.ka.n/

Meaning

During the year; yearly; annual. Used to indicate a span of one or more years.

A noun and suffix used to express a duration in years or activities spanning a year. Common patterns: 年間100冊本を読む (read 100 books a year), 3年間 (a period of three years), 年間パス (annual pass). When following a number, it specifies how many years the period spans. As a standalone modifier, it means 'per year' or 'throughout the year.'

Examples

1. 年間を通して気温が高い地域に住んでいる。 I live in a region where the temperature is high throughout the year.
2. この会社で5年間働いた経験がある。 I have five years of experience working at this company.
3. 年間200万人以上の観光客が訪れる。 More than two million tourists visit every year.

Usage Guide

Context: statistics, business, travel

Tone: informational

Origin & History

Compound of 年 (nen, year) and 間 (kan, interval/period). Together, 'year interval' — a span measured in years.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal