お正月
oshōgatsu
Japanese for "new year" is お正月 (oshōgatsu).
The term is used to refer to the traditional New Year holiday period in Japan.
Meaning: year following the current year (noun)
Which one should you use?
The standard polite form is お正月. You can also use the neutral or plain form 正月, which is created by removing the お prefix.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お正月 is the standard polite way to refer to the holiday. The neutral form 正月 is more plain.
How do you pronounce it?
oshōgatsu
When do people say it?
In Japan, お正月 refers specifically to the traditional New Year holiday period rather than just the calendar date of January 1st. When wishing someone a Happy New Year, you can use the formal phrase Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, the informal Akemashite omedetou or simply the informal Omedetou.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'Happy New Year', Japanese people often use the verb 'to open' (akeru) in the phrase 明けましておめでとう, literally wishing that the year has 'opened' or 'dawned' beautifully.
- The phrase Akemashite omedetou is only said after the New Year has actually begun, unlike the English 'Happy New Year' which is common before the date.
- The traditional food eaten during お正月, called osechi ryōri, is specially packed in boxes and designed to be kept for several days so that cooks can rest.
Examples in context
- お正月は何するの？What are you doing for New Year?This example is useful for asking about plans for お正月.Tatoeba #3718522 by verbum, translation #3748427 by nagoyablue
- もうすぐお正月です。It will soon be New Year.This example is useful for noting that お正月 is approaching.Tatoeba #194445 by small_snow, translation #31618 by Dejo
- お正月休みはどうするの？What are you planning to do for the New Year vacation?Tatoeba #226996 by bunbuku, translation #64343 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their plans for the upcoming holiday.
- 陽太 Yotaお正月に帰省する予定なの？Oshōgatsu ni kisei suru yotei nano?Are you planning to go back home for the New Year?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、家族とゆっくり過ごしたいんだ。Un, kazoku to yukkuri sugoshitai nda.Yeah, I want to spend some relaxing time with my family.
- 陽太 Yotaいいなあ。お正月料理が楽しみだね。Ii naa. Oshōgatsu ryōri ga tanoshimi da ne.That's nice. You must be looking forward to the New Year food.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんだよ。陽太はどうするの？Sō nan da yo. Yōta wa dō suru no?Exactly. What about you, Yota?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
