Translation guide
How to talk about returning to work after the New Year holiday in Japanese, including common greetings and phrases used in workplace settings.
The speaker wants to state that they or someone else is resuming work after the New Year break.
Literally 'work beginning', this is the standard term for the first day back at work after the New Year holiday. Often used as a noun.
今日は仕事始めです。
Today is the first day back at work after the New Year.
A more general phrase meaning 'to resume work'. Can be used for any break, not just New Year.
正月休みが終わって、仕事を再開しました。
The New Year holiday ended and I resumed work.
Means 'to return to work'. Natural in casual conversation.
明日から仕事に戻ります。
I'll be back at work from tomorrow.
The speaker wants to greet coworkers when seeing them for the first time after the New Year break.
Standard New Year greeting in a workplace setting. Combines 'Happy New Year' with 'I look forward to working with you again this year'.
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 working with you again this year.
A simpler morning greeting that combines 'Good morning' with the New Year wish. Suitable for daily use in the first days back.
おはようございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
Good morning. I look forward to working with you this year as well.
A more formal version of 'Happy New Year', sometimes used in written messages or formal speeches.
新年あけましておめでとうございます。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Happy New Year. I kindly ask for your continued support this year.
The speaker wants to mention that the New Year vacation is over and work is starting again.
Means 'the New Year holiday ends'. Commonly used to explain the transition back to work.
正月休みが終わって、今日から仕事です。
The New Year holiday is over, and I'm back at work from today.
Literally 'after the break', this noun is often used to refer to the period right after a holiday. Can be combined with '仕事'.
休み明けはいつも忙しい。
It's always busy right after the break.
The New Year holiday in Japan typically runs from around December 29 to January 3. Most companies resume business on January 4 or the first weekday after. Greetings like 明けましておめでとうございます are exchanged during the first few days back, often until around January 7 or the first week.
Do not directly translate 'resuming work after the New Year's vacation' word-for-word. Phrases like 新年の休暇の後に仕事を再開する are grammatically correct but sound unnatural and overly explanatory. Use the set expressions above.