Last time we talked about New Year Soba. We will continue the trend and explore deeper into Japan’s New Year culture. Today, let’s learn the word Kinga Shinnen (謹賀新年) meaning “Happy New Year” in Japanese.

New Year’s is one of the most important holidays in Japan. Similar to how Christmas in the Western world, it is a time when families gather and spend quality time together.

Every year, Japanese people will send New Year greeting cards to friends and family. Kinga Shinnen (謹賀新年）is one of the most popular greeting messages used in these cards. Be wary though, that it is normally reserved for writing in greeting cards, and not used when speaking.

Other Japanese New Year traditions include enjoying traditional Japanese New Year dishes, watching special television programming, and visiting shrines and temples. The Japanese New Year is full of traditions and culture. If you get a chance definitely try and experience it in Japan!

Let’s remember the following useful sentences before going to Japan!

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●Nengajou no aisatsu ha kinga shinnen ni shimashitaka?
(年賀状の挨拶は謹賀新年にしましたか？)
> Did you use Kinga Shinnen as the greeting for your greeting cards?

And since Kinga Shinnen is not really used when speaking, let’s learn the following as well!

●Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!
(明けましておめでとうございます！)
> Happy New Year! (in conversation)

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Now all that’s left is to go out there and try using them in Japan!


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Okaidoku (お買い得) Fun! Japan Words vol.125