Translation guide
In Japan, New Year's greetings are a culturally significant practice involving specific phrases, cards, and first meetings. This guide covers how to express New Year's wishes naturally in Japanese, from common spoken phrases to written nengajō.
明けましておめでとうございます
Happy New Year (standard spoken)
明けましておめでとう
Happy New Year (casual)
謹賀新年
Happy New Year (written on card)
良いお年をお迎えください
Have a happy new year (before Jan 1)
To wish someone a happy new year in person or in casual conversation, typically used from January 1st until mid-January.
The standard polite New Year greeting, equivalent to 'Happy New Year'. Used with acquaintances, colleagues, and in most social situations.
明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
Happy New Year. I look forward to your continued friendship this year.
Casual version used with close friends and family.
明けましておめでとう！今年もよろしくね。
Happy New Year! Here's to another great year together.
A slightly more formal alternative, often used in written messages or formal settings.
新年おめでとうございます。皆様のご健康とご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。
Happy New Year. I wish you all good health and happiness.
To write a New Year's greeting on a postcard, often sent to friends, family, and business contacts to arrive on January 1st.
To exchange greetings when meeting someone for the first time in the new year, often in a workplace or formal setting.
The standard phrase used when seeing someone for the first time after the new year holiday. The second part expresses hope for continued good relations.
あけましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you again this year.
To reply when someone wishes you a happy new year.
Simply repeat the greeting back. For example, if someone says '明けましておめでとうございます', you reply with the same phrase. Adding '今年もよろしくお願いします' is common.
A: 明けましておめでとうございます。B: 明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
A: Happy New Year. B: Happy New Year. I look forward to another great year with you.
To wish someone well for the coming year before the new year begins, typically in late December.
The standard polite phrase used before New Year's Day, meaning 'Please have a good new year.' Used when parting in late December.
それでは、良いお年をお迎えください。
Well then, have a happy new year.
In English, it's common to say 'Happy New Year' in the days leading up to January 1st. In Japanese, 明けましておめでとうございます is only used after the new year has begun. Before the new year, use 良いお年をお迎えください or 良いお年を.
良いお年をお迎えください。
Have a happy new year (said before Jan 1).
It is extremely common to follow a New Year greeting with 今年もよろしくお願いします (casual: 今年もよろしくね). This expresses a desire to maintain a good relationship in the coming year and is almost expected in many social exchanges.
Nengajō (年賀状) are New Year's postcards sent to arrive on January 1st. They use set phrases like 謹賀新年, 賀正, or 迎春, which are rarely spoken aloud. Spoken greetings use 明けましておめでとう(ございます). Do not use nengajō phrases in conversation.
The most common formal written greeting on nengajō, meaning 'Happy New Year' in a respectful, traditional style.
謹賀新年昨年は大変お世話になりました。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Happy New Year. Thank you for your kindness last year. I look forward to your continued support this year.
A shorter, slightly less formal written greeting, also common on nengajō.
賀正新しい年が皆様にとって素晴らしい一年となりますように。
Happy New Year. May the new year be a wonderful one for you all.
Another traditional written greeting, meaning 'welcoming spring' (spring symbolizes the new year).
迎春本年も変わらぬお付き合いのほど、よろしくお願い申し上げます。
Happy New Year. I look forward to our continued relationship this year.
A slightly more emphatic version, combining 'new year' and the standard greeting.
新年あけましておめでとうございます。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Happy New Year. I sincerely look forward to your continued support this year.
Casual shortened version, used with friends and family.
じゃあ、良いお年を！
Alright, happy new year!