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What is Japanese nengajo?
A typical Nengajo. The Japanese may not send very many Christmas or birthday cards, but they do send a lot of special postcards called nengajo that are delivered on New Year’s Day. New Year’s is a very special holiday in Japan – it’s probably the biggest item on the calendar of annual events.
What is the purpose of nengajo?
Here’s how to send a nengajo and win culture points for 2021! Japanese nengajo (年賀状), or New Year greetings cards, are a fun and easy way to show your appreciation to everyone you care about over the holidays. They’re also a great way to send cool Japanese well-wishes to your friends and family back home.
Who do you send nengajo to?
Just like Christmas cards in the West, nengajo should be sent to colleagues, clients, relatives, friends, and anyone who will send you one. The traditional rule of thumb is anyone who has looked out for you during the year.
How do I buy nengajo?
There are plenty of places to buy pre-made nengajo. Convenience stores, printing shops including FedEx and Kinko’s, stationery stores and Japan Post itself all sell pre-printed cards that you can simply address and pop in the mail.
How do you say Happy New Year in Japanese 2021?
How to Say Happy New Year in Japanese
- Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. (formal): あけましておめでとうございます。
- Akemashite omedetou. (casual): あけましておめでとう。
Why are the numbers 4 and 9 disliked?
The reason for the dislike for the numbers 4 and 9 derives from its pronunciation. Four is pronounced shi which is associated with death pronounced the same way. Nine is pronounced ku which is associated with agony or torture pronounced the same way.
How do you wish Happy new year in Japanese?
When you meet someone for the first time in the new year, be sure to greet them with, “明けましておめでとうございます。 (Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu!)” That’s Japanese for “Happy New Year!” You’ll also hear 良いお年を。 (Yoi o-toshi o.)
What does Akemashite Omedetou mean?
Just kidding. In Japanese we say. あけましておめでとうございます。 Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
What does nengajo mean in Japanese?
This greeting card is called Nengajo (年賀状, sounds like Nenga-Joe) or Nenga Hagaki (年賀はがき) and it means New Year Card or New Year Post Card. What is Nengajo? The purpose of Nengajo is to appreciate your relatives, friends and colleagues.
Where can I buy a nengajo?
You’ll find no shortage of nengajo designs. You can pick up pre-printed nengajo in stores like Loft and Don Quijote, stationery shops, post offices and even supermarkets from late November. There are hundreds of different designs to choose from, but most will have a version of the upcoming year’s zodiac sign.
How many nengajos are delivered in Japan each year?
The Japan Post still delivers about 4 billion nengajo a year, even with the recent digitization of the cards. They have also gotten into the digital nengajo game by creating a website where you can design your own nengajo or send one via the popular messaging app, LINE.
How do you write nengajo?
There is no specific rules on how to write Nengajo. If any of family members has passed away within a year, no need to write Nengajo. Instead, send greeting cards ( 喪中はがき:mochu post card) to let people know someone from your family has passed away so that you wouldn’t write Nengajo.