Japanese Phrases and Vocabulary for New Year’s

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has been having a wonderful winter holiday. In Japan, New Years is a big event where everyone gathers with their family. You can read more on Japanese New Year’s traditions here.

If you have any Japanese friends that you’d like to communicate with, here are some important Japanese phrases and vocabulary for New Year’s!

How to say “Happy New Year!”

In Japanese, the verb 明ける (akeru) is used to describe the bringing in of the New Year. This verb means that one period of time is ending and it is going to the next. 

One difference in saying Happy New Year in Japanese, is that you must not say these phrases before the start of the New Year. In English, it’s common to wish people a Happy New Year before New Years.

Another rule, is that you cannot wish someone a “Happy New Year” if they have lost close relatives (parents, siblings, etc…). This is because they are still in their mourning period. People who have lost close family, will often let people know in advance not to send New Years greetings.

Here are some phrases you can use for wishing Happy New Year. They have differences in formality and uses.

Most formal:
新年しんねん明あけましておめでとうございます。
Shinnen akemashite omedetougozaimasu.

Less formal:
明あけましておめでとうございます。
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.

Casual:
明あけましておめでとう。
Akemashite omedetou

Slang:
あけおめ
Akeome

Written only (business signs, emails, letters etc…)
謹賀新年
きんがしんねん

Kingashinnen

Other Useful Phrases:

Along with the “Happy New Year” phrase, you will usually want to add something more. In Japan, it’s common to say something like “please take care of me this year”. This means that you are wishing for nice relations between you and the other person during the coming year..

Formal:
今年ことしもどうぞよろしくお願ねがいします。
Kotoshi mo douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Please take care of me this year.

Casual:
今年ことしもよろしく。
Kotoshi mo yoroshiku.
Please take care of me this year.

New Year’s Vocabulary:

There are lots of unique Japanese New Year foods and traditions. It’s good to know some basic vocabulary so you know what people are talking about!

お正月しょうがつ
Oshougatsu
New Year’s

大晦日おおみそか
Oomisoka
New Year’s Eve

初詣はつもうで
Hatsumoude
First Shrine Visit

お節せち
Osechi
Traditional Japanese New Years food in a box

除夜じょやの鐘かね
Joya no kane
New Years Eve Temple Bell

お年玉としだま
Otoshidama
New Years money envelopes for children

お雑煮ぞうに
Ozouni
Japanese New Years soup

年越としこしし蕎麦そば
Toshi koshi soba
New Years soba noodles

鏡餅かがみもち
Kagami mochi
New Years rice cake

I hope these Japanese phrases and vocabulary for New Year’s can help you communicate in Japanese! If you’re interested in other language learning content be sure to check out How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese or How to say goodbye in Japanese: Beyond sayounara

~Tanuki