旧正月おめでとうございます
kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu
The English phrase "happy lunar new year" is translated into Japanese as 旧正月おめでとうございます (kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu).
This phrase is a greeting used to wish someone well during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Which one should you use?
Use 旧正月おめでとうございます specifically for the Lunar New Year to distinguish it from the standard Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a complete, polite greeting that does not require a subject or object to be grammatically correct.
How do you pronounce it?
kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu
Did you know?
- The word 旧 in the phrase literally means 'old'. This creates a linguistic distinction between the 'old' lunar calendar and the 'new' standard calendar used for most Japanese holidays.
- In Japan, 旧正月 is primarily celebrated in specific regions like Okinawa and among the Chinese community, rather than nationwide.
- When saying おめでとうございます, it is common to bow slightly to show respect to the person receiving the wish.
Examples in context
- 旧正月おめでとうございます。kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu.Happy Lunar New Year.
- 皆さん、旧正月おめでとうございます！minasan, kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu!Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!
Example conversation
Himari and Daito meet for the first time during the lunar holiday.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さん、旧正月おめでとうございます。Daitō-san, kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu.Happy Lunar New Year, Daito.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんも、旧正月おめでとうございます。Himari-san mo, kyūshōgatsu omedetō gozaimasu.Happy Lunar New Year to you too, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari今年はどこかへ行きますか。Kotoshi wa dokoka e ikimasu ka.Are you going anywhere this year?
- 大翔 Hiroto家族と家で過ごすつもりです。Kazoku to ie de sugosu tsumori desu.I plan to spend it at home with my family.
