1.
beginning of the new year, start of the year
The period right after the new year begins, typically the first days or weeks of January. Commonly used to indicate timing of events or plans for early in the coming year.
年明けに会いましょう。
Let's meet in the new year.
年明け早々に仕事が始まる。
Work starts right at the beginning of the new year.
新しいプロジェクトは年明けから本格的にスタートする予定だ。
The new project is scheduled to start in earnest after the new year.
USAGE:
Typically refers to early January. The expression 年明け早々 (right at the start of the new year) is very common. Often used in business and daily conversation to schedule things for early in the coming year. Contrast with 年越し (seeing in the new year / New Year's Eve).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 年明け早々: right at the start of the new year
- 年明けから: from the new year
- 年明けに: at the beginning of the new year
- 年明け後: after the start of the new year