年賀(ねんが)

ねんが
noun
New Year's greeting
1. New Year's greeting, New Year's congratulations
A greeting or celebration for the New Year. Most commonly used in compounds like 年賀状 (New Year's card) and 年賀はがき (New Year's postcard).
年賀(ねんが)はがきを書(か)く。
To write New Year's postcards.
年賀(ねんが)状(じょう)は十二月(じゅうにがつ)に準備(じゅんび)する。
I prepare New Year's cards in December.
今年(ことし)は百(ひゃく)枚(まい)の年賀(ねんが)状(じょう)を出(だ)したので、返事(へんじ)が届(とど)くのが楽(たの)しみだ。
I sent a hundred New Year's cards this year, so I'm looking forward to getting replies.

年賀(ねんが) means New Year's greeting or congratulation. It is most commonly seen in compounds.

Compounds

  • 年賀(ねんが)状(じょう): New Year's greeting card
  • 年賀(ねんが)はがき: New Year's postcard (sold by Japan Post)
  • 年賀(ねんが)回(まわ)り: New Year's visits to friends and relatives

Cultural note

Sending 年賀(ねんが)状(じょう) is a major tradition in Japan. Cards are prepared in December and delivered on January 1st. Each card typically includes a greeting, a brief personal message, and often an illustration of the zodiac animal for the coming year. In recent years, the number of cards sent has declined as more people use email or social media.

Related Words

Related: 年賀状(ねんがじょう) (New Year's card)
general
Added 2026.2.14 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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