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).
年賀はがきを書く。
To write New Year's postcards.
年賀状は十二月に準備する。
I prepare New Year's cards in December.
今年は百枚の年賀状を出したので、返事が届くのが楽しみだ。
I sent a hundred New Year's cards this year, so I'm looking forward to getting replies.
年賀 means New Year's greeting or congratulation. It is most commonly seen in compounds.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 年賀状: New Year's greeting card
- 年賀はがき: New Year's postcard (sold by Japan Post)
- 年賀回り: New Year's visits to friends and relatives
CULTURAL NOTE:
Sending 年賀状 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.