来年（らいねん、rainen）
- next year

The Japanese word 来年, pronounced らいねん (rainen), means "next year". It refers to the year immediately following the current year. It is a common time expression used to discuss events, plans, or situations that will occur in the future.

⚫︎来年は日本へ旅行する予定です。 Translation: I plan to travel to Japan next year. ⚫︎来年の夏休みは、家族と海に行くつもりです。 Translation: I intend to go to the beach with my family next summer. ⚫︎来年から新しい仕事を始めます。 Translation: I will start a new job next year.

⚫︎You use 来年 when you are talking about something that will happen in the year after the present year. ⚫︎It is typically used in conjunction with other time markers to specify a particular period. ⚫︎来年 is a fairly formal expression. ⚫︎Often used with the particle "の" (no) to indicate a possessive relationship, such as 来年の夏 (rainen no natsu - next year's summer).

⚫︎The word 来年 is primarily written in kanji 来年. ⚫︎The reading is written in hiragana as らいねん. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana.

There are no direct synonyms for "next year" that are used as commonly as 来年. However, phrases that mean something happening next year could include: ⚫︎翌年 (yoku toshi): The following year, which is more formal.

⚫︎去年 (kyonen): Last year. ⚫︎今年 (kotoshi): This year.

来年は大学を卒業するので、就職活動を始めなければなりません。 ・Translation: Because I will graduate from university next year, I have to start job hunting. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the speaker needs to begin job hunting activities in preparation for their graduation in 来年.

来年の東京オリンピックを楽しみにしています。 ・Translation: I am looking forward to the Tokyo Olympics next year. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the speaker's anticipation for the Tokyo Olympics that will occur in 来年.

The word 来年 is formed from: ⚫︎来 (rai): meaning "to come" or "next." ⚫︎年 (nen): meaning "year." Combined, they literally mean "coming year" or "next year."