Sihan Seiki (四半世紀 - Quarter-Century)

Sihan Seiki

Today, I found the expression 'shihan seiki' (四半世紀) when reading a novel.

'Shi' (四) means "four," 'han' (半) means "half," and 'seiki' (世紀) means "century."

I think that it is easy to guess what it means -- 'shihan seiki' means a quarter of a century, that is, twenty-five years.

In many cases, we just say 'nijū-go nen' (25年 - literally means "twenty-five years"), but by using 'shihan seiki', the wording/sentence will become more formal.

In addition, it can emphasize the length of the 25 years.

四半世紀

今日、小説を読んでいると「四半世紀」という言葉を見かけました。

「四」は "four"、「半」は "half"、「世紀」は "century" を意味します。

想像に難くないかもしれませんが、「四半世紀」は一世紀の四分の一、すなわち「25年」を意味します。

多くの場合、単に「25年」という表現を使いますが、「四半世紀」を使うことでよりフォーマルな言葉遣い・文章になります。

さらに、25年という年月の長さを強調することができます。

• Sihan Seiki
• Shihan Seiki

• Today, I found the expression 'shihan seiki' (四半世紀) when reading a novel.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• 'Shi' (四) means "four," 'han' (半) means "half," and 'seiki' (世紀) means "century."
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• I think that it is easy to guess what it means -- 'shihan seiki' means a quarter of a century, that is, twenty-five years.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• In many cases, we just say 'nijū-go nen' (25年 - literally means "twenty-five years"), but by using 'shihan seiki', the wording/sentence will become more formal.
• In many cases, we just say 'nijū-go nen' (25年 - literally means "twenty-five years"), but by using 'shihan seiki', the wording/sentence will become more formal.

• In addition, it can emphasize the length of the 25 years.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

Great! That's interesting.