お正月(しょうがつ)

おしょうがつ
noun
New Year
1. New Year; New Year's holiday
The New Year celebration period in Japan, typically the first few days of January.
お正月(しょうがつ)は家族(かぞく)で過(す)ごす。
I spend New Year's with my family.
お正月(しょうがつ)に実家(じっか)に帰(かえ)る。
I go back to my parents' home for New Year's.
お正月(しょうがつ)におせち料理(りょうり)を食(た)べる。
We eat osechi ryori during New Year's.

お正月(しょうがつ) is the most important holiday period in Japan, traditionally celebrated for the first three days of January.

CULTURAL TRADITIONS:

  • 初詣(はつもうで): first shrine visit of the year
  • おせち料理(りょうり): traditional New Year foods
  • お年玉(としだま): money given to children
  • 年賀状(ねんがじょう): New Year cards

NOTE:
The お- prefix is honorific. 正月(しょうがつ) can also be used without it.

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Added 2026.1.16 17:15 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05586_oshougatsu