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)には初詣(はつもうで)に行(い)く人(ひと)が多(おお)い。
Many people go for their first shrine visit during New Year's.
子供(こども)のころ、お正月(しょうがつ)にお年玉(としだま)をもらうのが楽(たの)しみだった。
When I was a child, I looked forward to receiving New Year's money.

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 (三(さん)が日(にち)). The お- prefix is honorific; 正月(しょうがつ) is the plain form.

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 greeting cards
  • 門松(かどまつ): pine decorations placed at entrances

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • お正月(しょうがつ)を迎(むか)える: to welcome the New Year
  • お正月(しょうがつ)気分(きぶん): New Year's mood
  • お正月(しょうがつ)休(やす)み: New Year's holiday

USAGE:
Many businesses close from December 29 to January 3. Families typically gather at the 実家(じっか) (parents' home) during this period.

Related Words

Synonym: 正月(しょうがつ) (New Year (plain))
core
Added 2026.1.16 17:15 · Revised 2026.4.8 13:19
05500/05586_oshougatsu