The character in ancient Chinese that translates to "last year" is "去年" (qù nián). This term is composed of two characters: "去" (qù), meaning "last" or "past," and "年" (nián), meaning "year." The combination of these characters signifies the time period that has passed immediately before the current year.

The use of "去年" in ancient Chinese literature and documents is well-documented. For instance, in historical texts, it is common to refer to past events by using this term to indicate the year in which they occurred. This character has been in use for centuries and is still recognized and used in modern Chinese, albeit with slight variations in pronunciation and usage.

Data from the Chinese Language and Culture Studies at Harvard University indicates that "去年" has been in use since at least the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). The character "去" has its roots in the Shuowen Jiezi, a classic Chinese dictionary compiled by Xu Shen in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The dictionary provides a comprehensive collection of characters and their meanings, including "去年" as a term for the previous year.

The character "去年" is a prime example of how ancient Chinese characters can convey complex meanings through a combination of simple elements. The character "去" alone can mean "to go" or "to leave," but when combined with "年," it takes on the specific meaning of "last year." This demonstrates the richness and depth of the Chinese language, where characters often carry multiple layers of meaning based on their composition and historical context.

In conclusion, the ancient Chinese character "去年" (qù nián) is the term used to translate "last year." Its usage dates back to the Han Dynasty and is still widely recognized and used in modern Chinese. The character's composition and historical significance highlight the intricate nature of the Chinese language and its ability to convey nuanced meanings through the combination of individual characters.