元号

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 元号 is read as げんごう and means “era name”.
• Basic usage: The examples show an era name on an old coin and era names listed alongside Gregorian years.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Distinguishing senses and uses
  • 元号 is the name assigned to an era; 和暦 is the dating system that uses such names and year counts.