Meaning and Usage
"今年" (ことし) means "this year" and is used to refer to the current calendar year. It is a very common word in everyday conversation and writing.
Common Contexts
You will often hear or see "今年" when talking about plans, events, or experiences related to the current year, such as holidays, seasons, or work.
Collocations and Patterns
- 今年は (ことしは): "this year" as the topic, often to introduce plans or observations.
- 今年の + noun (ことしの): "this year's" to specify something belonging to or happening in this year.
- 今年から (ことしから): "starting this year," used to indicate a change or new start from this year.
Register and Politeness
"今年" is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts without change.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "今年" with "去年" (きょねん, last year) or "来年" (らいねん, next year). Pay attention to the context and the kanji to avoid mixing them up.