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Happy New Year!
This page contains the Japanese phrase: Happy New Year!
This phrases cannot be used until the new year has begun. This is the best time of year in Japan to really observe traditional Japan. Christmas here is a non-event; but the new year, that’s a different story. Although the Japanese don’t go out and get absolutely hammered on new years eve, they do go to a shrine on January first and pray for a prosperous year. Families will get together and eat osechi – a variety of tradition Japanese dishes that the average westerner is unable to eat. Other useful greeting phrases are: holiday greetings, congratulations, Happy Birthday, and I wish you good luck.
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Dialogue
English
Happy New Year!
Rōmaji
Akemashite omedetou gozai masu.
Japanese
あけましておめでとうございます。

Key Terms
New Year
congratulations
honorific ending
akemashite
omedetou
gozaimasu
あけまして
おめでとう
ございます