Discover How To Say New Year in Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Language Learners
Are you planning on celebrating New Year in Japan? Then you must learn how to say Happy New Year or Akemashite Omedetou in Japanese. Japanese culture has its own traditional ways of ringing in the new year and it involves a lot of wonderful customs that shouldn't be missed. So, in this article, let's talk about how to say New Year in Japanese and some exciting traditions you can expect to encounter during the celebration.
First things first, when is New Year in Japan? Unlike most countries, the Japanese celebrate New Year on January 1st, but the lead-up to it begins much earlier. Many people start preparing for the holiday season by cleaning their homes and decorating the inside and outside with cheerful and colorful ornaments.
Next, let's learn how to say Happy New Year in the Japanese language. It is quite simple, Akemashite Omedetou (あけましておめでとう). You can use this greeting between friends, colleagues, and family members. If you want to offer greetings over email, messages, or social media, you can use the shorthand version Akeome.
Another way to say Happy New Year in Japanese is Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu which is a more formal version and is suitable for business partners, clients, and elderly people.
Many Japanese households welcome the new year by watching Kohaku Uta Gassen, which is a popular music competition where famous musicians compete against each other. It's a unique way for families to celebrate, bond, and enjoy traditional Japanese music in the comfort of their own home.
Another exciting tradition to look forward to during the New Year is Hatsumode. Hatsumode is a religious practice of visiting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to pray for good fortune for the new year. Some of these religious sites go all-out by selling delicious Japanese street food, offering fun activities like games and decorating the locations with bright lights.
If you're looking to experience Japanese culture to the fullest, try joining a group of locals at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day to listen and cheer at temple bells ringing simultaneously across the entire nation.
Moreover, in Japan, it is customary to send out New Year greeting cards called nengajo. These cards typically start being sold from early December, and many people take pride in designing their own unique designs to send to loved ones as a gesture of good faith.
As night dwindles into the morning, many households receive the year's first rays of sunshine while eating osechi ryori, or traditional Japanese New Year's foods. The meal includes an assortment of colorful dishes that have a symbolic meaning attached to them, such as prosperity, good health, and longevity.
To sum up, celebrating the New Year in Japan is a fantastic way to experience Japanese culture, customs, and traditions. Make sure to learn how to say Akemashite Omedetou and join the festivities like Hatsumode, Kohaku Uta Gassen, and send nengajo cards.
In conclusion, with its vibrant colors, beautiful ornaments, and unique traditions, Japanese New Year is a time of joy and connection with others. It is an excellent opportunity for foreigners to dive deep into the culture and experience something truly unique.
"How To Say New Year In Japanese" ~ bbaz
In Japan, the coming of the New Year is an exceptional event. The Japanese observe the holiday with enthusiasm and exuberance. The customs of Japanese people are quite distinct from western culture during this time of the year. First off, it is interesting to learn how they greet each other during this occasion.
How to say Happy New Year in Japanese
The expression for wishing someone a Happy New Year in Japanese is Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. The phrase roughly translates to Congratulations on the Opening of the Year! You can also say Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu, which roughly means, Please take good care of me in the coming year.
The Japanese new year’s greeting
The Japanese commonly use a formal greeting when talking to older people or people in higher positions. The expression for this type of greeting is Shinnen omedetou. It means Happy New Year, but it is better to add gozaimasu at the end, as it adds respectfulness to the greeting.
New Year's Eve in Japan
New Year's Eve in Japan is referred to as Omisoka. It is often considered more important than New Year's Day itself. Japanese people usually spend the evening watching popular shows on television, specially produced for the occasion. The programmes feature a combination of live musical performances, comedy sketches, and quiz shows. Moreover, it is customary to visit a local shrine to ring in the new year.
The custom of eating Toshikoshi Soba
Toshikoshi Soba or year-crossing soba is a type of noodle dish where the noodles are made from buckwheat flour. Eating Soba on New Year's Eve is a long-standing Japanese tradition. It is believed that the dish symbolizes longevity and fortune and eating it ensures good luck in the coming year.
Otoso – traditional New Year’s drink
Otoso is a sweet and spicy sake or rice wine that is served during the New Year's season in Japan. It is usually made by infusing the rice wine with various medicinal herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Otoso is believed to have medicinal properties that help warm the body and increase energy levels.
Final thoughts
Overall, Japanese people celebrate the New Year with traditional customs and practices different from what we have in western countries. Learning how to say Happy New Year in Japanese is a great way to greet your Japanese friends, colleagues, and acquaintances during the holiday season. The other practices and traditions are fascinating to learn about and experience.
Here's to wishing you all a Happy New Year!
Comparison between How To Say New Year in Japanese: Shogatsu vs. Oshogatsu
Definition: What is Shogatsu?
In Japan, New Year's Day is called Shogatsu written as 正月 in kanji, which translates to correct month. The celebration is considered the most important traditional holiday and is typically observed from January 1st to January 3rd. During this time, people engage in various customs like cleaning their homes, visiting temples or shrines, and feasting on traditional dishes.
What is Oshogatsu?
Another way to say New Year in Japanese is Oshogatsu, which is a combination of two words, Osechi and Gatsu. Osechi refers to the traditional New Year's food, while Gatsu just means a month. Therefore, Oshogatsu means the New Year's month and not just the holiday itself.
Pronunciation and Writing
Both Shogatsu and Oshogatsu are written with the same kanji (正月) and can also sound similar in speaking. However, there is a slight difference in pronunciation, which is the O at the beginning of Oshogatsu. It is important to note that in Japanese culture, placing O before a word is a sign of respect, so using Oshogatsu may show honor to the occasion.
| Keywords | Shogatsu | Oshogatsu |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Correct Month | New Year Month |
| Kanji | 正月 | 正月 |
| Pronunciation | Show-gah-tsu | Oh-show-gah-tsu |
Usage and Context
Shogatsu is commonly used to refer to the New Year celebration as a holiday, while Oshogatsu is more of the whole month of January and the days leading up to the celebration. You would say, Shogatsu ni nani o siteimasuka? meaning What are you doing for New Year's? The context is for referring to the holiday or a specific day event. On the other hand, saying that Oshogatsu ni isshukan ryokou shimashita means I went on vacation for the New Year(whole month), which relates to the passage of time rather than a specific event.
Cultural Significance
The celebration of Shogatsu holds immense value to the Japanese culture, showcasing significant historical and religious elements. It is a time to reflect on the past year and hope for a promising one ahead. Many practices include cleaning and decluttering homes, visiting shrines or temples for blessings, eating special meals like osechi-ryori, and having family gatherings or reunion parties.
There is also a tradition called hatsumode, which is the first shrine visit of the year. Millions of people visit their local shrine or temple to pray for good luck, health, and prosperity. This event takes place in the first few days of the new year, and it is common to see people queuing up for hours to make their wishes.
Conclusion
Both Shogatsu and Oshogatsu refer to New Year's in Japan, but their usage differs slightly in context and meaning. Shogatsu primarily relates to the holiday celebration itself, while Oshogatsu represents the whole month of January and the traditions leading up to it. Understanding the significance of these events is crucial in comprehending Japanese culture and traditions.
Regardless of how you say New Year in Japanese, the essence of the holiday remains to be a time of renewal, appreciation, and hope for a prosperous year ahead.
How To Say New Year In Japanese
Japan has a rich culture that is well-known throughout the world. Japanese New Year, or Oshogatsu, is one of the biggest and most important holidays in Japan. It is a time to spend with family, eat traditional food, and celebrate a fresh start. If you're planning a trip to Japan during New Year, or just want to learn more about Japanese culture, it's essential to know how to say New Year in Japanese. Here are some tips and tutorials to help.
Basic Vocabulary
Before we dive into specifics, let's review some basic vocabulary. The word for New Year in Japanese is Shinnen. It's pronounced like shin-nen. Other related words include:
- Oshogatsu - This is the name of the holiday and is used more commonly than Shinnen.
- Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu - This is a greeting used on New Year's Day and means Happy New Year.
- Nengajo - This refers to the New Year's postcards that Japanese people exchange with each other.
Using Shinnen
If you want to use the basic word for New Year in Japanese, you would say Shinnen omedetou gozaimasu. This is a more formal greeting that can be used in various situations, such as when meeting someone for the first time in the new year.
However, there are other phrases that are more commonly used in Japan during the New Year season. Let's take a look at some of them below:
1. Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
This is the most common greeting used during the first few days of January. It is a way to wish someone a happy new year and express respect to others. As mentioned earlier, it means Happy New Year.
You can use this phrase with your friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else you meet during the New Year period. It's important to remember that the phrase is usually accompanied by a bow, and it's customary to say it while facing the person directly.
2. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu
This phrase roughly translates to Please take care of me this year too. It's a polite way to express respect and gratitude to others, and it's often used together with Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu. You can use this phrase when meeting people for the first time in the new year, or when greeting your seniors at work or school.
3. Osechi Ryori
Osechi ryori is a traditional Japanese New Year's meal that consists of various dishes and ingredients with symbolic meanings. The food is usually prepared in advance and stored in special boxes, and it's eaten over several days during the New Year period. If you want to ask someone if they have eaten Osechi Ryori, you can say Osechi wa tabemashita ka? which means Did you eat Osechi?
4. Hatsumode
Hatsumode is the first visit to a shrine or temple in the new year. It's a traditional custom that is considered to bring good luck and fortune. If you're visiting Japan during the New Year period, make sure to check out some of the local shrines and temples and join the Hatsumode celebrations. To ask someone if they have done Hatsumode, you can say Hatsumode wa dekakemashita ka? which means Did you go for Hatsumode?
Conclusion
Knowing how to say New Year in Japanese is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding Japanese culture. However, learning the basic vocabulary and phrases can help you connect with Japanese people and immerse yourself in the local customs and traditions. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some useful tips and tutorials on how to say New Year in Japanese.
How To Say New Year In Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide
If you're interested in learning Japanese, understanding how to say key phrases like Happy New Year is essential. New Year's is a big deal in Japan, as it's a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the upcoming one. Here's everything you need to know about saying New Year in Japanese.
The Word for Year in Japanese
The first step in understanding how to say New Year is to learn the word for year in Japanese. In Japanese, the word for year is 年 (toshi). It's pronounced toe-she. Remembering this word is important because it appears in many Japanese New Year's phrases.
The Basic Phrase
The basic way to say New Year in Japanese is 明けましておめでとうございます(akemashite omedetou gozaimasu). This phrase is pronounced a-keh-mash-tee oh-me-deh-toh go-zah-ee-mas. It's the standard phrase that Japanese people use to greet each other for the new year. It translates to Congratulations on the beginning of the year.
Alternate Ways to Say New Year
While akemashite omedetou gozaimasu is the most common way to say New Year in Japanese, there are a few other options you can use:
- 新年 (shinnen): This word means new year in Japanese. It's pronounced shin-nen.
- 正月 (shougatsu): This word refers to the New Year's holiday period in Japan. It's pronounced show-gah-tsu.
- 除夜の鐘 (joya no kane): This phrase translates to watch-night bell. It refers to the tradition in Japan of ringing bells at midnight on New Year's Eve. The phrase is pronounced joe-yah no kah-neh.
Other Helpful New Year's Phrases
Here are a few other phrases you might find helpful to know when celebrating the New Year in Japan:
- あけましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetou gozaimasu): This phrase means Happy New Year! It's the most common New Year's greeting in Japan.
- 今年もよろしくお願いします (kotoshimo yoroshiku onegaishimasu): This phrase means Please be kind to me again this year. It's a polite way to express one's hopes for a good relationship in the coming year.
- お年玉 (otoshidama): This word refers to the money gifts that Japanese people give to children on New Year's Day. It's pronounced oh-toh-shee-dah-mah.
New Year's Traditions in Japan
Knowing how to say New Year in Japanese is just the beginning. To fully understand the holiday, it's important to learn about some of the traditions associated with it. Here are a few of the most important:
- Hatsumode: Hatsumode is the first temple visit of the year. People visit a shrine or temple to pray for good luck and success in the coming year.
- Osechi Ryori: Osechi Ryori is traditional Japanese New Year's food. It includes a variety of dishes that are eaten to symbolize good luck and fortune.
- Otoshidama: As mentioned above, otoshidama refers to the money gifts given to children on New Year's Day. This tradition is intended to bring good luck and prosperity to the children.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to say New Year in Japanese, you're one step closer to understanding the culture and traditions associated with the holiday. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan or simply want to learn more about the country, knowing key phrases like this is a great place to start. Happy New Year!
People also ask: How To Say New Year In Japanese?
What are the different ways to wish Happy New Year in Japanese?
Japanese people use various expressions to convey greetings and wishes for the New Year. Here are some of the commonly used phrases:
- あけましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu): This is the most common phrase used to wish someone a Happy New Year.
- 今年もよろしくお願いします (Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu): This expression is used to express hope for a continued good relationship in the upcoming year.
- 良いお年を (Yoi otoshi wo): This phrase literally means have a good year, and is often used among friends and family members.
How do you pronounce Happy New Year in Japanese?
The most common expression for Happy New Year in Japanese, あけましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu), is pronounced as ah-keh-mash-ee-teh oh-meh-deh-toh goh-za-i-mas.
How do Japanese people celebrate New Year?
In Japan, New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year. Here are some of the ways Japanese people celebrate New Year:
- Visit temples or shrines: Many Japanese people visit local temples or shrines to pray for a successful and prosperous year.
- Eat traditional New Year's food: Japanese people eat special dishes called osechi ryori which are only available during the New Year period.
- Watch New Year's Eve shows: Japanese people watch a series of TV shows called Kohaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve, which feature popular singers and entertainers competing against each other.
- Send New Year's cards: Japanese people send special postcards called nengajo to their friends and family members to wish them a Happy New Year.
What is the significance of New Year in Japanese culture?
New Year, or Shogatsu is an important time for family gatherings, spiritual reflection, and renewal. It is believed to be a time when new beginnings and fresh starts are possible. Japanese people take this opportunity to set new goals, make resolutions, and reaffirm their relationships with others.