Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

謹賀 (kinga) Japanese meaning: wishes of happiness | Kotomora

謹きん賀が

き

ん

が

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

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

Related 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.