noun

  1. first year (of an imperial era).
  2. year something (important) first happened or began.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
元年 がんねん

Contained Kanji Breakdown

beginning, former time, origin
ゲン もと ガン (2nd, N4)
two, two radical (no. 7)
ニ ふた ふだ (1st, N5)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)
year, counter for years
とし ネン ね (1st, N5)