Japanese Phrases and Vocabulary for Christmas
Merry Christmas! Christmas in Japan is considered more of a romantic holiday than a family one! Japanese people use the word クリぼっち(kuribocchi) meaning “alone for Christmas”, if you don’t have a Christmas date. You can read more on Japanese Christmas traditions here.
Whoever you decide to spend your Christmas with, these phrases and vocabulary will be useful to converse in Japanese!
How to say “Merry Christmas”
In Japanese, there are several ways to wish Merry Christmas. Keep in mind not to say these phrases before the holiday. You can only use it during Christmas eve or Christmas day.
メリークリスマス – Merii Kurisumasu
メリクリ – Merikuri (slang)
クリスマスおめでとう – Kurisumasu omedetou
Phrases you might use for your Christmas date:
クリスマスイブ一緒に過ごさない？
Kurisumasu ibu issho ni sugosanai?
Do you want to spend Christmas Eve together
イルミネーション見に行かない？
Irumineeshon mi ni ikanai?
Do you want to go see the illuminations?
今年のクリスマスは雪が降るといいな。
Kotoshi no kurisumasu wa yuki ga furu to iina/
I hope there’s snow this christmas!
クリスマスプレゼント何がいい？
Kurisumasu puresento nani ga ii?
What do you want as your Christmas present?
イルミネーションがとても綺麗！
Irumineeshon ga totemo kirei!
The illuminations are beautiful!
最高のクリスマスだったね。
Saikou no kurisumasu dattane.
This was the best Christmas ever.
Christmas Vocabulary:
Santa claus
サンタさん – santa san (cute way to say Santa)
サンタクロース – santakuroosu
Christmas tree
クリスマスツリー – Kurisumasu tsurii
Christmas cake
クリスマスケーキ – Kurisumasu Keeki
Iluminations
イルミネーション – Irumineeshon
Decorations
飾りつけ – Kazaritsuke
Snow
雪 – yuki
Reindeer
トナカイ – tonakai
Christmas present
クリスマスプレゼント – kurisumasu puresento
KFC (typical Christmas meal)
ケンタッキー kentakkii
ケンタ kenta (even shorter slang)
Angel
天使 – tenshi
Jesus
イエス – iesu
Snowman
雪だるま – yukidaruma
Christmas song
クリスマスソング – kurisumasu songu
Chimney
煙突 – Entotsu
Fireplace
暖炉 – Danro
Candles
ろうそく – rousoku
I hope these Japanese phrases and vocabulary for Christmas can be helpful for you during the holiday season. If you want more Japanese language learning content be sure to see How to say goodbye in Japanese: Beyond sayounara or How to say sorry in Japanese: 10 useful phrases. メリークリスマス！
~Tanuki