正月(しょうがつ)

しょうがつ
noun
New Year
time-seasonculture
1. New Year, New Year's
The first month of the year, especially the first few days.
正月(しょうがつ)は店(みせ)が休(やす)みだ。
Stores are closed during New Year's.
お正月(しょうがつ)に神社(じんじゃ)に行(い)った。
I went to a shrine for New Year's.
正月(しょうがつ)は家族(かぞく)と過(す)ごします。
I spend New Year's with my family.
正月(しょうがつ)には親戚(しんせき)が集(あつ)まって食事(しょくじ)をする。
During New Year's, relatives gather and have a meal together.
正月(しょうがつ)は仕事(しごと)が休(やす)みなので、久(ひさ)しぶりに実家(じっか)に帰(かえ)って家族(かぞく)と過(す)ごした。
Since work was off during New Year's, I went back to my hometown after a long time and spent it with my family.

正月(しょうがつ) refers to the New Year period, the most important holiday season in Japan.

Usage

Usually said with お, as お正月(しょうがつ) in polite speech.

Common expressions

  • お正月(しょうがつ)を迎(むか)える: to welcome the New Year
  • 正月(しょうがつ)休(やす)み: New Year's holiday
  • 正月(しょうがつ)料理(りょうり): New Year's cuisine (おせち)
  • 正月(しょうがつ)飾(かざ)り: New Year's decorations

Cultural note

In the narrow sense it means January 1–3 (三が日(さんがにち)). Families gather, visit shrines (初詣(はつもうで)), eat special foods, and give children お年玉(としだま) (money gifts). Many businesses close during this period.

Related Words

Related: 大晦日(おおみそか) (New Year's Eve)
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:14 · Revised 2026.9.29 18:11
01000/01433_shougatsu