Greeting and showing respect is very important in Japan, it is thus important to know how to say “Happy new year” in Japanese!
In order to become good at Japanese, you must understand the importance of Japanese honorifics and how to greet people during certain festivals. Then after, you should focus on other aspects of the language, such as days of the week in Japanese. For now, let’s focus on how to greet people properly during Japanese new year!
In this article, we will be showing you ways on how say “Happy New Years” in Japanese and give you some important information that you should know about Japanese new year!
How to Say Happy New Year in Japanese
Here are 10 ways to say “Happy New year” in Japanese. How long it takes to learn Japanese or these phrases depends on many things. If you keep getting confused about which one to use, the best is to first learn the most common way of saying “Happy new year!” before diving into the more complex phrases.
Happy new year – Shin’nen’omedetō (新年おめでとう)
The most common way to say “Happy new year” in Japanese. If you struggle to remember the other phrases, this is your go-to way of saying “happy new year” as it can be used in any given situation.
I wish you a good new year – Yoiotoshiwo (良いお年を)
You can only use this phrase until the 23rd of December. The phrase means to hope that someone has an excellent new year.
Happy new year – Hinnen omedetô gozaimasu (新年おめでとう ございます)
One of two phrases that are used from the 1st of January. A simple phrase to wish someone a “Happy new year” in Japanese.
Happy new year to you – Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu (明けましておめでとう ございます)
The second of the two phrases that are used are from the 1st of January. Similar to the previous phrase, it can also mean “Congratulations on the New Year which is beginning”.
Have a good year – Yoiotoshiwo o mukae kudasai (良いお年をお迎えください)
A phrase used in formal situations. Similar to “happy new year”, just worded differently and more formally.
Happy new year – Akeome (あけおめ)
An informal phrase. Some short and simple to wish your friends and family a happy new year!
Please treat me well next year – Kotoyoro (ことよろ)
This is one of the few phrases that does not translate well to English. This informal phrase means to convey something along the lines of “I hope our relationship/friendship remains strong or gets stronger in the new year”. As in, you hope this person remains in your life as the new year comes and goes.
See you next year – Mata rainen (また来年)
Informal. You would use this phrase when you know you won’t see someone during the year that is coming to an end, or during the new year festivities.
I look forward to having a good relationship with you this year – Kotoshimo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (今年もよろしくお願いします)
Another phrase that is hard to directly translate into English. Similar to Kotoyoro, this informal phrase means to show gratitude towards your family and friends
I haven’t seen you in a long time – Watashi wa anata ni nagaiai-kai tte inai (私はあなたに長い間会っていない)
A formal way to greet someone if you have not seen them for a long time!
Do Japanese Celebrate Happy New Year?
As people wait for the clock to strike Yonaka (夜中 or midnight, one of many words used to describe time in Japanese), do Japanese people actually celebrate New Year?
Yes! Although, the Japanese do not celebrate the Lunar New year. New Year celebrations or festivities happen between the 1st (with the first sunrise of the new year) to the 3rd of January, which is called Sanganichi (三が日).
During this time, shops will mainly be closed and people tend to decorate their homes, or do some very deep cleaning! Food traditions include zōni (雑煮) which are rice cakes boiled with vegetables, also known as a soup, and a variety of osechi (おせち) dishes. It is tradition to send “Happy New Year” cards to the people who have helped you throughout the old year. Children will receive new year’s gifts from their elders, which is called o-toshidama (お年玉) in Japanese. No wonder the kids get so excited during the New Year celebrations!
Words for Happy New Year Japanese
Here are some Japanese words that could come in handy during the New Year’s celebrations!
| Japanese | Romaji | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 食べ物 | tabemono | Food |
| キャンドル | kyandoru | Candle |
| 乾杯 | kanpai | Toast |
| 踊り | odori | Dancing |
| パーティ | pāti | Party |
| 花火 | hanabi | Fireworks |
| 飲酒 | inshu | Drinking |
| 年 | toshi | Year |
| 寺 | tera | Temple |
| 真夜中 | mayonaka | Midnight |
| カウントダウン | kaunto daun | Countdown |
| パレード | parēdo | Parade |
| 大晦日 | ōmisoka | New Year’s Eve |
| 正月 | shōgatsu | New Year’s Holiday |
| 元日 | ganjitsu | New Year’s Day |
FAQs for Happy New Year in Japanese
Most commonly you would say Shin’nen’omedetō (新年おめでとう). Before the 23rd of December, you can say Yoiotoshiwo (良いお年を) and after the 1st of January, you can either say Hinnen omedetô gozaimasu (新年おめでとう ございます) or Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu (明けましておめでとう ございます).
You can reply by repeating the phrase; Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu (明けましておめでとう ございます), which in this case means “Happy New Year to you too.” You may also use any of the other ways to say “Happy new year” in Japanese discussed above as a response.
New Year in Japanese is called Shin’nen (新年).
Say Happy New Year in Japanese to Your Friends!
We hope this article gave you the knowledge you need to wish your friends and family a Happy New Year in Japanese! How about learning how to say “I love you” in Japanese next?
Of course, learning a language on your own can be quite a struggle, and very frustrating if you just can’t get a grip on something! No worries though— Our professional online language tutors can guide you to achieve any of your language learning goals! The best part is, you can learn in the comfort of your home. Can’t find what you are looking for? No worries. You can customize courses to meet your language learning goal!
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