Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the beginning of the New Year in Japanese, including common phrases, cultural nuances, and natural expressions.
Expressing that the New Year has started or is starting, often used in greetings or general statements.
A straightforward, neutral way to say 'the New Year starts'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
新年が始まりました。
The New Year has started.
The New Year will start soon.
Literally 'the year dawns/opens', a very common and natural way to say the New Year begins. Often used in the past tense to refer to the start of the year.
年が明けた。
The New Year has begun.
年が明けると、すぐに仕事が始まる。
As soon as the New Year starts, work begins.
A slightly more explicit version, emphasizing 'new year'. Natural but less common than 年が明ける.
新しい年が始まる瞬間が好きだ。
I like the moment when the new year starts.
Referring specifically to the arrival of January 1st or the New Year holiday period.
Means 'it becomes New Year's' (the holiday period). Very common when talking about the New Year season arriving.
もうすぐ正月になる。
It will soon be New Year's.
正月になったら、実家に帰ります。
When the New Year comes, I'll go back to my parents' home.
Literally 'to welcome New Year's Day'. A slightly formal or literary expression often used in writing or speeches.
新しい年を迎え、元旦を迎える準備をしています。
We are preparing to welcome the New Year and New Year's Day.
Formal or written expressions for the start of the New Year, often used in greetings or announcements.
A formal way to say 'to welcome the New Year'. Common in New Year's cards (年賀状) and formal greetings.
皆様と共に新年を迎えることができ、嬉しく思います。
I am happy to be able to welcome the New Year together with everyone.
A very formal, somewhat bureaucratic expression meaning 'it becomes the beginning of the year'. Used in official contexts.
年始となる1月4日より営業を開始します。
We will resume business from January 4th, the start of the year.
年が明ける is more idiomatic and common in everyday speech, while 新年が始まる is more literal and slightly formal. Both are correct, but 年が明ける is preferred for natural conversation.
年が明けたら旅行に行く。
I'll go on a trip once the New Year starts.
新年が始まると同時に花火が上がった。
Fireworks went off as soon as the New Year started.
正月 (shōgatsu) refers to the New Year's holiday period, typically the first few days of January. It carries cultural weight, so using 正月になる is more natural when referring to the festive season rather than just the calendar date.