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.
元旦の朝は家族でおせち料理を食べます。
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.
元日の朝、初日の出を見に行きました。
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.
元旦は早起きして神社にお参りします。
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.
明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
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.
新年おめでとうございます。良い一年になりますように。
Happy New Year. I hope it will be a good year.
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'.
元旦の朝、初日の出を見るために早起きしました。
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.
元旦の朝、家族で初詣に行きました。
On New Year's morning, I went to the first shrine visit of the year with my family.
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.
The dream you have on the night of New Year's Day is the first dream of the year.