おせち

noun

osechi; New Year dishes

1. osechi; traditional Japanese New Year dishes

Traditional Japanese cuisine prepared for the New Year celebration, consisting of various dishes with symbolic meanings, typically served in special lacquered boxes.

元日(がんじつ)の朝(あさ)、おせち料理(りょうり)を食(た)べた。

On New Year's morning, I ate osechi dishes.

今年(ことし)はおせちを自分(じぶん)で作(つく)ってみた。

This year I tried making osechi myself.

デパートでおせちを予約(よやく)した。

I ordered osechi from a department store.

Full form

おせち料理(りょうり) (osechi ryouri) is the full term.

Common dishes

黒豆(くろまめ) (black soybeans - for health)
数(かず)の子(こ) (herring roe - for fertility)
栗(くり)きんとん (sweet chestnuts - for wealth)
伊達巻(だてまき) (rolled omelet - for learning)
紅白(こうはく)かまぼこ (fish cake - good fortune)

Cultural note

Osechi dishes are designed to be prepared in advance and eaten cold over the first few days of the New Year, allowing families to rest from cooking.

Related Words

Related: 正月(しょうがつ) (New Year)

general

Added 2026.2.3 11:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09649_osechi