今年

• Reading: ことし
• Romaji: kotoshi
• Kanji breakdown: 今 (kon/ima) — now, present; 年 (nen/toshi) — year
• Pronunciation: /ko.to.ɕi/

Meaning

This year. Refers to the current calendar year.

While the kanji reading would suggest こんねん (kon-nen), the standard reading is the native Japanese ことし (kotoshi). Used to discuss events, goals, and plans for the current year. Can be used with both past and future tense depending on whether the event has already occurred.

Examples

1. 今年の目標は毎日運動することです。 My goal for this year is to exercise every day.
2. 今年は桜が早く咲きました。 The cherry blossoms bloomed early this year.
3. 今年こそ日本に行きたいです。 This year, I definitely want to go to Japan.

Usage Guide

Context: goals, seasonal events, daily conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Combines 今 (ima, now) and 年 (toshi, year) using native Japanese readings rather than Sino-Japanese readings. One of several time words that use kun-yomi instead of on-yomi.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal