謹賀新年(きんがしんねん)

Usage

This is the most common formal four-character New Year's greeting (賀詞(がし)). It is primarily written, not spoken. Appears on 年賀状(ねんがじょう) (New Year's postcards), store decorations, and company greetings.

Register

Four-character greetings like 謹賀新年(きんがしんねん) and 恭賀新年(きょうがしんねん) are appropriate for superiors and formal contexts. Two-character greetings like 賀正(がしょう) and 迎春(げいしゅん) are considered less formal and should not be used toward superiors.

Cultural note

Japanese New Year's cards (年賀状(ねんがじょう)) are sent to arrive on January 1st. The greeting printed on the card reflects the relationship between sender and recipient.