As a Noun: 1. A period of a year after the time of talking. English = the next year. 2. A period of one year after some reference time in the past. English = the following year, the year after that. As Modifier: 1. Used at the beginning or end of a sentence to mean the action takes place sometime during the following twelve months or year; or after at least a year. English = in the next year, during the next year; in a year's time. 2. Used at the beginning or end of a sentence to mean the action took place sometime during the twelve months or year after the reference time. English = in the following year.