十二月(じゅうにがつ)

December is literally '十二(じゅうに)月(がつ)' (month twelve). The old Japanese name for December is 師走(しわす), meaning 'teachers run' — reflecting how busy the year-end is.

Cultural note

In Japan, December is dominated by year-end events:

• クリスマス: celebrated commercially but not a national holiday
• 大掃除(おおそうじ): year-end deep cleaning of the home
• 年賀状(ねんがじょう): writing New Year greeting cards
• おせち料理(りょうり): preparing New Year food
• 忘年会(ぼうねんかい): year-end parties ('forget the year' gatherings)

Related words

• 年末(ねんまつ): year-end
• 大晦日(おおみそか): New Year's Eve (December 31st)