For Some Years
For Years
suffix
When you have years coming and going, you know it is for some years. Don't confuse this one with 来年 which means "next year." The kanji 来 comes after the kanji for year, so instead of "coming year" it's "years that come (and go)." At least, you can think of it that way to differentiate.
You can also add numbers to this word. For example ５年来 means something to the tune of "for five years." But this is a pretty formal word. Just keep that in mind.
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.
二十年来の友人
a friend of twenty years
三十年来のつきあい
a thirty-year relationship
十年来の大雨
the heaviest rainfall in ten years
マイケルは、父の三十年来の友人です。
Michael is my father's friend of thirty years.
コウイチは、ついに十年来のアメリカンドリームをかなえました。
Koichi finally fulfilled his decade-long American dream.
これは五十年来の大作ですよ。
This is a masterpiece fifty years in the making!