Writing New Year's Cards
Dateline: 12/09/00
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Do you send Christmas cards? The Japanese send New Year's cards (nengajo) rather than Christmas cards. Try sending them to surprise your Japanese friends!
Nengajo begin with some set
greetings. Here are some common expressions.
| Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu | Happy New Year |
| Shinnen omedetou gozaimasu | |
| Kinga Shinnen | |
| Kyooga Shinnen | |
| Gashou | |
| Geishun | |
| Tsutsushinde shinnen no oyorokobi o moushiagemasu |
All expressions basically mean, "Happy New Year". You can choose any of them to begin your card. "Kinga Shinnen," "Kyooga Shinnen," "Gashou," and "Geishun" are seasonal words not used in regular converstaion. The rest of the three expressions can be used as a greeting. Click here to hear the sound files for New Year's greetings.
After the greeting, add words of thanks, requests for continued favor or wishes for health. Here are some common expressions, though you can add your own words as well.
| Sakunen wa taihen osewa ni nari arigatou gozaimashita |
Thank you for all your kind help during the past year. |
| Honnen mo douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu |
I hope for your continued favor this year. |
| Minasama no gokenkou o oinori moushiagemasu |
Wishing everyone good health. |
We will learn more about how to write new year's card on the next page!
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