Translation guide
In Japan, New Year's morning is a culturally significant time, often associated with specific greetings, foods, and activities. This guide covers how to refer to the morning itself and common expressions used during this time.
Referring to the time period on the morning of January 1st.
The most direct and common way to say 'New Year's morning'. 元旦 (gantan) specifically means the morning of New Year's Day, but is often used for the whole day. Adding 朝 (asa) clarifies it's the morning.
On New Year's morning, we eat osechi dishes with the family.
Similar to 元旦の朝, using 元日 (ganjitsu) which means New Year's Day. Slightly more formal or written.
On New Year's morning, I went to see the first sunrise of the year.
Literally 'first morning', this word originally means New Year's morning. In modern usage, it often refers to the whole day, but context can make it clear you mean the morning.
On New Year's morning, I get up early and visit a shrine.
Expressions used when meeting people for the first time in the new year, especially on New Year's morning.
The standard New Year's greeting, equivalent to 'Happy New Year'. Used from January 1st, including the morning, until around the first week or two.
Happy New Year. I look forward to your continued friendship this year.
Another common New Year's greeting, slightly more formal. Also used from New Year's morning.
Describing things people do on New Year's morning, such as watching the first sunrise or having the first dream.
Watching the first sunrise of the year is a popular New Year's morning activity. 初日の出 (hatsuhinode) means 'first sunrise'.
On New Year's morning, I woke up early to see the first sunrise.
The first shrine or temple visit of the year, often done on New Year's morning or within the first few days.
The first dream of the new year, traditionally considered to be the dream on the night of January 1st (so seen on the morning of January 2nd). Not exactly New Year's morning, but related.
元旦 (gantan) originally means 'first morning', so it inherently refers to the morning of January 1st. However, in modern Japanese, it is often used to mean the whole day. To be precise about the morning, use 元旦の朝.
Happy New Year. I hope it will be a good year.
On New Year's morning, I went to the first shrine visit of the year with my family.
The dream you have on the night of New Year's Day is the first dream of the year.