旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)

きゅうしょうがつ
noun
Lunar New Year
time-seasonculture
1. Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year
The New Year as observed in the traditional lunisolar calendar, falling in late January or February. Widely celebrated in China, Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian countries. In Japan, it is observed in some regions such as Okinawa and by Chinese communities.
旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)は二月(にがつ)ごろだ。
Lunar New Year falls around February.
中国(ちゅうごく)では旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)が一年(いちねん)で最(もっと)も大(おお)きな祝日(しゅくじつ)だ。
In China, Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year.
旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)の時期(じき)になると、多(おお)くの観光客(かんこうきゃく)がアジア各地(かくち)から日本(にほん)を訪(おとず)れる。
When the Lunar New Year period arrives, many tourists from across Asia visit Japan.

Cultural note

Japan switched from the lunisolar calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1873, and most of the country now celebrates 正月(しょうがつ) (New Year) on January 1. However, 旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ) is still recognized in some areas, particularly 沖縄(おきなわ) and in 中華街(ちゅうかがい) (Chinatown) areas like Yokohama and Kobe.

Common collocations

  • 旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)を祝(いわ)う: to celebrate Lunar New Year
  • 旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)の時期(じき): the Lunar New Year period
  • 旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ)休(やす)み: Lunar New Year holiday

Etymology

旧(きゅう) (old, former) + 正月(しょうがつ) (New Year) — literally "old New Year," referring to the New Year of the old (pre-Gregorian) calendar.

Related Words

Related: 正月(しょうがつ) (New Year)
general
Added 2026.2.23 19:01 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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