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謹賀 (きんが) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

謹きん賀が

き

ん

が

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

wishes of happiness; respectful congratulations

humble (kenjougo)

Humble expression used in formal New Year's greetings, especially in the phrase 謹賀新年 (きんがしんねん), meaning 'Happy New Year' with a respectful tone.

年ねん賀が状じょうに「謹きん賀が新しん年ねん」と書かく。
I write 'Happy New Year' (respectfully) on New Year's cards.

Kanji

謹discreet, reverently, humbly
賀congratulations, joy

Similar words

賀が正しょう
賀正 is a more casual New Year's greeting, while 謹賀 is more formal and humble.
謹きん賀が新しん年ねん
謹賀新年 is the full phrase commonly used; 謹賀 alone is a bound form that appears in this greeting.

Etymology

Compound of 謹 (きん, 'respectfully') and 賀 (が, 'congratulations'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a Sino-Japanese word used in formal contexts.