年頭(ねんとう)

ねんとう
noun
beginning of the year; start of the year
1. beginning of the year; start of the year
The start of a new calendar year, typically January. Often used in formal contexts such as New Year addresses, goal-setting, and business greetings.
年頭(ねんとう)の挨拶(あいさつ)を述(の)べる。
To give a New Year's greeting.
年頭(ねんとう)に立(た)てた目標(もくひょう)をまだ覚(おぼ)えていますか。
Do you still remember the goals you set at the beginning of the year?
社長(しゃちょう)が年頭(ねんとう)の所感(しょかん)として、今年(ことし)の経営(けいえい)方針(ほうしん)を全社員(ぜんしゃいん)に向(む)けて発表(はっぴょう)した。
The company president announced the management policy for this year to all employees as a New Year's address.

Refers to the beginning of a new year, typically January. Combines 年(ねん) (year) and 頭(とう) (head, beginning).

USAGE:

  • Used in formal and semi-formal contexts, especially for greetings, speeches, and goal-setting
  • Common in business settings where executives give 年頭(ねんとう)の挨拶(あいさつ) (New Year's address) or 年頭(ねんとう)所感(しょかん) (New Year's reflections)
  • Not to be confused with the homophone 念頭(ねんとう) (in mind; consideration), which is a completely different word

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 年頭(ねんとう)の挨拶(あいさつ): New Year's greeting
  • 年頭(ねんとう)所感(しょかん): New Year's reflections/address
  • 年頭(ねんとう)に当(あ)たり: at the start of the year (formal opening)
  • 年頭(ねんとう)の目標(もくひょう): New Year's goals

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 年始(ねんし): beginning of the year, New Year — more commonly used for New Year's visits and greetings
  • 新年(しんねん): New Year — the most general term
  • 年初(ねんしょ): beginning of the year — very similar, slightly more neutral/calendrical
general
Added 2026.4.3 7:15
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