Japanese Year-End and New Year Greetings: What to Say (and When)

Japanese Year-End and New Year Greetings

— How Japanese People Close One Year and Begin the Next with Words —

In Japan, the period from late December to early January is not just a change of dates—it’s a time to properly “close” relationships for the year, and then begin them again with words. These greetings are not used randomly. They are often said as a set of phrases, and timing matters. For Japanese language learners, this is a key cultural point that many textbooks don’t fully explain.

Greetings Used at the End of the Year (Before New Year)

When you meet someone for the last time before the New Year, these three phrases are typically used together.

1. “Thank you for everything this year too.”

今年も大変お世話になりました。

Romaji: Kotoshi mo taihen osewa ni narimashita.

• 大変 (たいへん) can be omitted. Romaji: taihen

• It’s also common to say: いろいろお世話になりました。 Romaji: Iroiro osewa ni narimashita.

• This expresses gratitude for the entire year—shared time, cooperation, and a relationship that continued smoothly.

  
  

2. “I look forward to working with you again next year.”

来年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

Romaji: Rainen mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

This implies:

• I hope our relationship continues.

• I value working with you.

• Let’s stay on good terms next year.

Ending the year with gratitude and continuity is an important part of Japanese communication.

3. “Have a good New Year.”

良いお年をお迎えください。（カジュアル：良いお年を）

Romaji: Yoi otoshi wo omukae kudasai. (Casual: Yoi otoshi wo.)

• Polite: 良いお年をお迎えください Romaji: Yoi otoshi wo omukae kudasai

• Casual (close relationships): 良いお年を Romaji: Yoi otoshi wo

• This phrase is used only before the New Year begins. Once the year has changed, it should not be used.

Greetings Used After the New Year Begins

After January 1st, the greetings change completely. Again, three phrases are commonly used together.

1. “Happy New Year.”

あけましておめでとうございます。

Romaji: Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu.

This celebrates the arrival of the New Year and is safe to use with anyone, including superiors.

2. “Thank you for everything last year.”

旧年中はお世話になりました。

Romaji: Kyūnenchū wa osewa ni narimashita.

Even after the year has changed, Japanese people often repeat gratitude for the previous year. Saying it again is not redundant—it’s polite.

3. “I look forward to working with you this year.”

今年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

Romaji: Kotoshi mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

This closes the New Year greeting and expresses:

• hope for a good relationship

• continued cooperation throughout the year

It also pairs naturally with the year-end version used in December.

For Japanese Language Learners 💡 (Natural Usage)

In Japanese, greetings sound most natural when they’re used as a set, not individually.

At the end of the year (last meeting before New Year):

旧年中はお世話になりました。

Romaji: Kyūnenchū wa osewa ni narimashita.

来年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

Romaji: Rainen mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

良いお年をお迎えください。

Romaji: Yoi otoshi wo omukae kudasai.

After the New Year begins:

あけましておめでとうございます。

Romaji: Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu.

旧年中はお世話になりました。

Romaji: Kyūnenchū wa osewa ni narimashita.

今年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

Romaji: Kotoshi mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Perfect grammar is less important than choosing the correct phrases for the correct timing.

Small Tip: Casual Shortened Forms

Among close friends or family, shortened greetings are sometimes used:

• あけおめ！ Romaji: Akeome!（from あけましておめでとう / Akemashite omedetō）

• ことよろ！ Romaji: Kotoyoro!（from 今年もよろしく / Kotoshi mo yoroshiku）

These are very casual and should not be used at work or with superiors.

Important Note: When Someone Has Lost a Family Member

In Japan, people generally avoid saying “Happy New Year” to someone who has lost a

close family member.

Why? Traditionally, New Year greetings are seen as:

• celebrating the new year

• expressing joy and congratulations（寿ぐ / ことほぐ） Romaji: Kotohogu

Because of this, when someone is mourning, people avoid:

• joyful expressions

• congratulatory language

In such cases, New Year greetings are often omitted, or people keep their words very neutral.

Summary

• Japanese year-end and New Year greetings are used in sets.

• End-of-year greetings focus on gratitude, continuity, and parting.

• New Year greetings focus on celebration, gratitude, and continuity.

• Timing and consideration for others are essential.

These greetings reflect a key Japanese value: closing things carefully and starting again thoughtfully. For learners of Japanese, mastering these expressions is not just about language—it’s about understanding how relationships are handled in Japanese culture.