How to read･･･
We have learned to read "1999" as nineteen ninty-nine.
Since we entered the2000s, I hear many people read 2020 as two thousand twenty .
I understand if it is 2005, I read this as two thousand five, though.
Doeas it depend on which we like, or formal or informal?
回答
This year is two thousand twenty two. It is also twenty twenty two. Both are correct and equal in terms of formality.
You brought up an interesting point. I think there is a reason why we say “two thousand twenty two.”
My first guess.
At the moment you start saying “twenty,” your friend will not know how large or small the number you are going to say. It can be 2022, 28 thousand, 24 million, or just 27.
On the other hand, when you start saying “two thousand,” your friend will immediately understand that you are referring to a 4-digit number starting with two.
However, in normal conversations, your friend would know that you are referring to a 4-digit year unless you are talking about a science fiction movie.
My second guess.
It is easy to say “two thousand (2000),” compared to “one thousand nine hundred (1900).”
“Twenty” has 2 syllables.
“Two thousand” has 3 syllables.
“Nineteen” has 2 syllables.
“One thousand nine hundred” has 6 syllables.
Maybe that’s it, but it’s only my guess.
ご回答ありがとうございます。
でも、すみません、私が間違っています。
”read" ではなく "pronounce" とすべきでした。
言いたかったのは中学生の頃、西暦は二けたごとに区切って読む、
つまり、”nineteen ninety -nine" 、 というように習いました。
2000年代に入って、2005年を "two thousand five"
と読むのは良いのですが、2020年を "two thousand twenty"と読む傾向があるのかと思いまして… 上記のように "twenty twenty" と二けたに区切っては読まなくなったのかしらと。それは個人の好みなのか、フォーマルか否かによるものか、などと考えていました。