正月(しょうがつ)

しょうがつ
noun
New Year
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.

POLITE FORM:
Often prefixed 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

CULTURE:
Typically refers to January 1-3 (三(さん)が日(にち)). Families gather, visit shrines (初詣(はつもうで)), eat special foods, and give children お年玉(おとしだま) (money gifts). Many businesses close during this period.

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Added 2026.1.8 21:14 · Revised 2026.3.11 17:45
01000/01433_shougatsu