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How to say 'New year' in Japanese | 正月

Wondering how to say 'New year' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for New year is 'Shougatsu', written as 正月 in Japanese.'New year' in hiragana is しょうがつ.

    word

    正月

    Meaning

    New year

    Reading

    しょうがつ

    shougatsu

    Kanji

    正Correct 月Moon, Month

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '正月 (しょうがつ)' refers to the 'New Year' period, specifically the first few days of January. This term is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is associated with various traditions, celebrations, and customs. During this time, people often visit shrines, eat special foods like 'おせち料理 (おせちりょうり)', and spend time with family. Example sentences include: We celebrate New Year in Japan「日本では正月を祝います」(にほんではしょうがつをいわいます). I will visit my grandparents during New Year「正月に祖父母を訪ねます」(しょうがつにそふぼをたずねます). The atmosphere during New Year is very festive「正月の雰囲気はとてもお祭り気分です」(しょうがつのふんいきはとてもおまつりきぶんです).

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N4

    Kanji Grade

    1

    Frequency

    3337

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 正月

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    正

    Meaning

    Correct

  • kanji

    月

    Meaning

    Moon, Month

Words Related to 正月 Through the Kanji 正

These 25 Words contain the Kanji 正 as well.

  • word

    正しい

    Meaning

    Correct

  • word

    正に

    Meaning

    Exactly

  • word

    正確

    Meaning

    Accurate

  • word

    正直

    Meaning

    Honest

  • word

    正面

    Meaning

    Front

  • word

    正

    Meaning

    Correct

  • word

    正式

    Meaning

    Formal

  • word

    正午

    Meaning

    Noon

  • word

    正門

    Meaning

    Main gate

  • word

    正解

    Meaning

    Correct

  • word

    正方形

    Meaning

    Square

  • word

    正座

    Meaning

    Kneel

  • word

    正当

    Meaning

    Just, Legitimate

  • word

    正常

    Meaning

    Normal

  • word

    改正

    Meaning

    Revision

  • word

    修正

    Meaning

    Correction

  • word

    正義

    Meaning

    Justice

  • word

    公正

    Meaning

    Fairness, Justice

  • word

    適正

    Meaning

    Appropriate, Fair

  • word

    正しく

    Meaning

    Exactly

  • word

    不正

    Meaning

    Wrongdoing

  • word

    正体

    Meaning

    True form, Identity

  • word

    訂正

    Meaning

    Correction

  • word

    正規

    Meaning

    Regular

  • word

    正す

    Meaning

    Correct

Words Related to 正月 Through the Kanji 月

These 22 Words contain the Kanji 月 as well.

  • word

    月曜日

    Meaning

    Monday

  • word

    月

    Meaning

    Moon

  • word

    今月

    Meaning

    This month

  • word

    先月

    Meaning

    Last month

  • word

    箇月

    Meaning

    Months

  • word

    来月

    Meaning

    Next month

  • word

    半月

    Meaning

    Half month

  • word

    再来月

    Meaning

    Month after next

  • word

    月日

    Meaning

    Date

  • word

    月末

    Meaning

    Month end

  • word

    生年月日

    Meaning

    Birthdate

  • word

    月給

    Meaning

    Salary

  • word

    月刊

    Meaning

    Monthly

  • word

    月謝

    Meaning

    Tuition

  • word

    毎月

    Meaning

    Monthly

  • word

    三日月

    Meaning

    Crescent

  • word

    年月

    Meaning

    Years

  • word

    年月日

    Meaning

    Date

  • word

    月初め

    Meaning

    Start

  • word

    月夜

    Meaning

    Moonlit night

  • word

    月見

    Meaning

    Moon viewing

  • word

    満月

    Meaning

    Full moon

Learn the Word 正月

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Shougatsu' (正月) mean?

'Shougatsu' means 'New year' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.