also: おとしだま
New Year's gift; otoshidama
Money given to children at New Year's. The polite form お年玉 is far more common in modern Japanese.
See also: お年玉
The children who received New Year's money look happy.
How much should I give for New Year's money this year?
年玉 is the bare noun without the polite お- prefix; お年玉 is the standard, socially expected everyday form.
New Year's gift; New Year's money given to children
Standard kanji form for this word.
Polite form with honorific prefix お, very common in everyday use.
年 (year) + 玉 (ball, jewel). Originally referred to round rice cakes given at New Year's, later extended to money gifts.