年始(ねんし)

ねんし
noun
beginning of the year, New Year
1. beginning of the year, New Year
The first days of the new calendar year, typically referring to early January.
年始(ねんし)の挨拶(あいさつ)に行(い)く。
I'm going to make a New Year greeting visit.
年始(ねんし)は親戚(しんせき)の家(いえ)を回(まわ)る予定(よてい)だ。
I plan to visit my relatives' homes at the start of the new year.
年末年始(ねんまつねんし)の休(やす)みは実家(じっか)で過(す)ごすことにしている。
I always spend the year-end and New Year holidays at my parents' house.

USAGE:
Most commonly appears in the compound 年末年始(ねんまつねんし) (year-end and New Year period). On its own, 年始(ねんし) often refers specifically to the custom of visiting people to exchange New Year greetings (年始回(ねんしまわ)り).

CULTURAL NOTE:
年始(ねんし)の挨拶(あいさつ) (New Year greetings) is an important social custom in Japan. People visit relatives, neighbors, and business associates in early January. In business contexts, companies may send 年始(ねんし) greeting cards or make courtesy calls.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 年始(ねんし)の挨拶(あいさつ): New Year greeting
  • 年始回(ねんしまわ)り: rounds of New Year visits
  • 年末年始(ねんまつねんし): year-end and New Year period
  • 年始(ねんし)休暇(きゅうか): New Year holidays

Related Words

Pair verb: 年末(ねんまつ) (year-end)
general
Added 2026.2.13 14:17 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
11000/11059_nenshi