year
year — 名詞
- yearsingular
- yearsplural
1. a period of 365 days (or 366 in a leap year) beginning on January 1 and ending o
年；年度
從一月到十二月的十二個月期間
a period of 365 days (or 366 in a leap year) beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31, according to the Gregorian calendar. This is the standard unit used for dates, contracts, and official records.
The year 2025 has 365 days and starts on a Wednesday.
2025 年有 365 天，從星期三開始。
Renata was born in the year 1999, on a hot day in July.
Renata 出生於 1999 年，那年七月天氣很熱。
in the year + number for dates
February has 29 days during a leap year, which happens every four years.
閏年的二月有 29 天，這種情況每四年發生一次。
leap year — year with an extra day in February
The company's profits increased by 15 percent last year.
這家公司的利潤去年成長了 15%。
My contract runs until the end of next year.
我的合約有效期到明年年底。
- last year
- next year
- this year
- the year 2000
- leap year
- calendar year
- New Year
- calendar year
more formal; specifically means Jan 1 to Dec 31
- twelve-month period
descriptive; can start at any point, not just January
文法句型
the year + number
in + year
for + number + years
用法筆記
When written as a number, the year is usually preceded by in, not on (❌ on 2025 ✅ in 2025). Year numbers before 1000 are often read as individual digits: 1066 → 'ten sixty-six'.
常見錯誤
2. any 365-day span used by an organisation or field for planning and record-keepin
年度
為特定活動或用途計算的十二個月
any 365-day span used by an organisation or field for planning and record-keeping, starting and ending on a date the group chooses rather than on January 1.
The financial year ends on March 31 for this company.
這家公司的會計年度在三月三十一日結束。
financial year — the 12-month accounting period for a business
Dario's team finished the season with a record of 20 wins this year.
Dario 的球隊本季以二十勝的紀錄結束這個賽季。
Farmers in this region measure their year from the first spring rain.
這個地區的農民以第一場春雨為一年的起點。
The tax year in Australia runs from July 1 to June 30.
澳洲的課稅年度是從七月一日到六月三十日。
tax year — the 12-month period used for calculating tax
Our reporting year covers sales from October through September.
我們的報告年度涵蓋從十月到九月的銷售數據。
- financial year
- tax year
- fiscal year
- reporting year
- school year
- growing year
- fiscal year
specifically about government or company accounting
- tax year
the 12-month period used for filing taxes
文法句型
financial year
tax year
academic year
year ending/starting + date
用法筆記
Common preceding words include financial, fiscal, tax, academic, school, and seasonal. The activity type often appears as a compound modifier: fiscal year, growing year, tournament year.
常見錯誤
3. the months when a school, college, or university holds classes, usually running
學年
學校開課的期間，通常約九個月
the months when a school, college, or university holds classes, usually running from late summer to the following spring or summer and lasting about nine months.
The school year in Taiwan usually begins in late August.
臺灣的學年通常在八月底開始。
school year — the teaching period at a school
Hiro's university has three terms in one academic year.
Hiro 就讀的大學一學年有三個學期。
Students get a long summer break at the end of the academic year.
學生在學年結束時有很長的暑假。
Baraka finished all his exams before the year ended.
Baraka 在學年結束前考完了所有考試。
The college year is divided into two semesters and a summer session.
大學學年分為兩個學期和一個暑期班。
college year — the teaching period at a university/college
- school year
- academic year
- college year
- university year
- summer break
- academic year
the formal term for the teaching period at a university or school
- school year
used mainly for primary and secondary schools
文法句型
the + adjective + year
year + number
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 refers only to the teaching portion of a calendar year. In many countries the academic year spans parts of two calendar years (e.g., September 2024 to June 2025).
常見錯誤
❌ 'I'll graduate this academic year in December.' — if the academic year ends in June, December falls in the same calendar year but a different academic year. Check your school's calendar.
4. all the learners who begin studying at a school or university at the same time a
年級；屆
同年入學的學生群體
all the learners who begin studying at a school or university at the same time and advance through the curriculum together, forming a single cohort.
The first-year students attended an orientation session this morning.
一年級學生今早參加了新生訓練。
first-year — students in their first year of study
Otis is in the same year as his cousin at university.
Otis 和他表弟在大學同一個年級。
The 2024 year at this law school has over 200 students.
這所法學院的 2024 年級有超過兩百名學生。
the [number] year — the cohort that started in that year
Chidi's year organised a charity fundraiser for the local hospital.
Chidi 那一屆為當地醫院舉辦了一場慈善募款活動。
Second-year students often help new arrivals during the first week.
二年級學生常常在第一週幫助新生。
- first year
- second year
- final year
- year group
- the class of
文法句型
the + ordinal + year
year + number
用法筆記
Common in British English; American English uses grade or class instead (e.g., 'she is in the tenth grade'). The ordinal number is often hyphenated when used as a compound adjective: first-year student, third-year course.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I'm a year 3 student.' (American context) — US English uses 'a third-year student' or 'a junior'.
5. a very long period of time, used in casual speech to emphasise that something ha
多年；很久
很長的一段時間（非正式用法）
a very long period of time, used in casual speech to emphasise that something has continued or not happened for many twelve-month cycles.
Selim has not visited his hometown in years.
Selim 已經好多年沒回故鄉了。
in years — for a very long time (informal)
It has been years since Yael last saw her childhood friend.
Yael 已經好多年沒見到她兒時的朋友了。
Imran quit smoking years ago and feels much healthier now.
Imran 多年前戒了菸，現在感覺健康多了。
I have not touched a piano for years, so my playing is rusty.
我已經好多年沒碰鋼琴了，所以彈起來很生疏。
The old theatre sat empty for years before it was renovated.
那間老劇院空置了好多年才被翻修。
for years — for a very long time (emphatic)
- for years
- in years
- years ago
- take years
- ages
equally informal, British English; 'I haven't seen you in ages!'
- a lifetime
stronger; means many years or decades
- a short while
a brief period, opposite of years
- a moment
a very short time
文法句型
for years
years ago
it's been years since…
用法筆記
This sense is almost always in the plural (years) and is informal. It typically appears in negative or emphatic statements (haven't done something in years, waited for years). The singular (a year) does not carry this meaning.
常見錯誤
6. a unit used for stating how old someone is or how long a living thing has existe
歲；年齡
用來表示人或生物活了多久的單位
a unit used for stating how old someone is or how long a living thing has existed; one year of age equals twelve months of life.
Anna is ten years old and loves reading adventure stories.
Anna 十歲，很喜歡看冒險故事。
number + years old — standard structure for stating age
The old oak tree in the park is at least 200 years old.
公園裡那棵老橡樹至少有兩百年了。
Élise spent her early years in a small village near Lyon.
Élise 小時候在里昂附近的一個小村莊度過。
Christopher looks very young for his years, despite being over fifty.
Christopher 看起來比實際年齡年輕很多，儘管他已經五十多歲了。
for his/her years — considering someone's age
People over sixty-five years of age can get a discount on the bus.
六十五歲以上的人可以享有公車優待。
- years old
- years of age
- early years
- later years
- young for one's years
- age
the general concept; 'what is your age?' is more formal than 'how old are you?'
文法句型
number + years old
number + years of age
a person's years
用法筆記
After stating age, use years old (informal) or years of age (formal). The phrase years young is sometimes used playfully for older people but is not standard. In formal writing, a hyphen is used in compound adjectives: a ten-year-old child.
常見錯誤
year after year
idiomhappening every year for many years, often suggesting that the situation does not change.
年復一年
The farmers planted rice in the same fields year after year.
Year after year, the festival draws thousands of visitors to the town.
year in, year out
idiomcontinuing or repeating every year without change, often implying boredom or routine.
年復一年；年年如此
Year in, year out, she took the same train to the same office building.
The team finishes near the bottom of the league year in, year out.
the year dot
idioma very long time ago; since before anyone can remember.
很久以前；遠古時期
That old bakery has been here since the year dot.
Families have celebrated the harvest in this village since the year dot.
put years on someone
idiomto make someone look or feel much older than they are.
使人顯得蒼老
The stress of that job really put years on him.
The illness put years on Grandma, and she moved much more slowly now.
to make someone look or feel much younger than they are.
使人顯得年輕
Getting more sleep has taken years off her appearance.
His new haircut took ten years off him, according to his friends.
used to say that you will never do something or that something will never happen.
絕不；根本不可能
Not in a hundred years would I agree to work with that manager again.
Not in a hundred years did she expect to win the lottery.
turn of the year
idiomthe time around the end of December and the beginning of January when one calendar year changes to the next.
年初；歲末年初
Sales usually drop at the turn of the year.
The company plans to launch the new product around the turn of the year.
year on year
idiomeach year compared with the previous one, used especially in financial or statistical contexts.
逐年；與去年同期相比
The company reported a 5 percent increase in sales year on year.
Energy prices have risen year on year for the past five years.
year — 名詞
1. used after an ordinal number (first, second, third, etc.) to form a compound tha
年級生
用於序數後，指在學的某年級學生
used after an ordinal number (first, second, third, etc.) to form a compound that describes a student at a particular level of study within a school, college, or university.
The first-year students at this college live in shared dormitories.
這所學院的一年級學生住在共用宿舍。
first-year — compound adjective describing a student's level
A third-year medical student assisted with the surgery.
一名三年級醫學生協助了那場手術。
Second-year undergraduates must choose their major by April.
二年級大學生必須在四月前選定主修。
The school held a special lunch for all final-year students.
學校為所有畢業班學生舉辦了一場特別午餐會。
Fourth-year architecture students presented their final projects to a panel of judges.
四年級建築系學生向評審團展示了他們的畢業專題。
fourth-year — compound with ordinal number indicating level
- first-year student
- second-year course
- final-year project
- third-year undergraduate
文法句型
ordinal number + -year
number + -year + noun
用法筆記
The compound is always hyphenated when used adjectivally before a noun (a first-year student) but not when year stands alone as a noun (she is in her first year). In US English the equivalent often uses grade (ninth-grade student) or the class year (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior).
常見錯誤
At some point in the future, often after a long time.
未來某個時候
We may need to build a new school further down the road.
Will electric cars be affordable ten years down the road?
The last part of a person's life, when they are old.
晚年
Grandma spent her declining years reading and gardening.
He wrote his memoirs in his declining years.
donkey’s (years)
idiomA very long time.
很久
I haven't seen my cousin for donkey's years.
That song has been popular for donkey's years.
A person or thing chosen as the best in a particular field for that year.
年度最佳
She was named athlete of the year by the sports magazine.
That model was car of the year in 2020.
Used to say that you would never do something or that something is very unlikely.
絕不
I would never eat insects in a million years.
Not in a hundred years did I expect to win the lottery.
A polite way to say that someone is very old.
年事已高
The professor, a man of advanced years, still teaches classes.
Even at her advanced age, she walks to the market daily.
To make someone look or feel older than they are.
使某人顯老
The stress of the job put years on my father.
That gray hair dye really puts years on you.
the seven-year itch
idiomThe idea that after seven years of marriage, people may want new sexual experiences.
七年之癢
They divorced after seven years, blaming the seven-year itch.
Is the seven-year itch a real phenomenon or just a myth?
Since a very long time ago, often since the beginning of something.
自古以來
This tradition has been around since the year dot.
I've known her from the year dot; we grew up together.
To make someone look or feel younger.
使某人變年輕
A good night's sleep takes years off you.
That new haircut took years off my aunt.
The time when a new century or year begins.
世紀/年之交
Many buildings were constructed at the turn of the century.
Sales have increased since the turn of the year.
year after year
idiomEvery year for many years, repeatedly.
年復一年
The festival attracts tourists year after year.
Year after year, the river floods the same fields.
year by year
idiomGradually as the years pass; each year.
逐年
The town's population grows year by year.
Year by year, technology becomes more advanced.
year in, year out
idiomEvery year without changing; continuously.
年復一年
She works at the same factory year in, year out.
Year in, year out, the birds return to this tree.
A particular year after the birth of Christ, used in formal dates.
公元
The castle was built in the year of grace 1450.
In the year of our Lord 2020, the pandemic began.
year on year
idiomEach year compared with the previous one.
同比
Profits have increased year on year for a decade.
The report shows a year-on-year drop in sales.
同根字
- yearly形容詞B1
- yearly副詞B1
- yearbook名詞B2
- yearling名詞C1
- yearlong形容詞B2
- midyear形容詞C1
- year-round形容詞B2
- new year名詞A2
常見搭配
常用片語
- year after year
- year by year
- year in, year out
- year on year
- turn of the year
- the beginning of the year
- the end of the year
- this time of year
介系詞搭配
- in (the year 2025)
- for (three years)
- during (the year)
- over (the years)
- since (last year)
- by (the end of the year)
- within (a year)