1.
New Year's greeting; Happy New Year
A formal expression used on New Year's cards and decorations to celebrate the new year. Literally means 'celebrating the new year.' Primarily a written greeting.
年賀状に「賀正」と書いた。
I wrote 'Happy New Year' on the New Year's card.
会社の入り口に「賀正」の飾りが出ていた。
A New Year's decoration saying 'Happy New Year' was displayed at the company entrance.
「賀正」は目上の人への年賀状には使わない方がいい。
It's better not to use 'gashou' on New Year's cards to people of higher status.
USAGE:
賀正 is a two-character New Year's greeting commonly printed on 年賀状 (New Year's cards) and seasonal decorations. It is considered a somewhat casual abbreviated form.
IMPORTANT: Two-character greetings like 賀正 are traditionally seen as abbreviated and therefore less formal. When writing to superiors or elders, four-character greetings such as 謹賀新年 are preferred.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 賀正の飾り (New Year's greeting decoration)
- 年賀状に賀正と書く (write 'gashou' on a New Year's card)
RELATED WORDS:
- 謹賀新年: respectful New Year's greeting (formal, four characters)
- 迎春: welcoming the new year
- 年賀状: New Year's postcard