New Year's Greeting Cards Go on Sale in Japan

Hello everyone.

Welcome to "Learn Japanese from the News."

Thanks for joining us.

So, with the holiday season just around the corner, today we're talking about a Japanese New Year's tradition.

New Year's Greeting Cards Go on Sale in Japan.

Yes. So, "nengajoo" are special New Year's postcards that people send to their relatives, friends, colleagues, clients and so on.

It's very similar to the western tradition of sending Christmas cards.

Right.

And we have certain greetings that we only use in "nengajoo" and during the New Year's holiday.

On today's show, we'll learn some of those expressions.

Now, before we go to the news clip, let's go over some words to listen for.

"Nippon-yuubin kabushiki-gaisya" or "Nippon-yuubin" for short.

Japan Post.

This is the private company that runs the country's postal services and post offices.

"juu-ni-shi."

This term refers to the 12 signs of the Japanese zodiac.

We'll discuss this in more detail later.

"hagaki."

postcard.

OK, let's watch the news clip.

On November 1, Japan Post
began selling postcards to use as "nengajoo" greeting
cards this New Year.

Nengajoo are sent out as greetings
in celebration of the new year.

The postcards feature an illustration
of next year's zodiac sign, the rabbit.

Recently, more and more people
are sending greetings by email.

For this reason, Japan Post has prepared
1.64 billion nengajoo postcards,

about 10% fewer than last year.

Japan Post will also launch
a digital nengajoo service.

Users can send nengajoo postcards
as messages via the Line app.

There are 105 designs available.

Nengajoo can be sent out via postboxes
and post offices starting December 15.

There are so many designs and illustrations to choose from...

which makes a big part of the fun of the tradition, I think.

And of course, each year they feature a different animal from the Japanese zodiac.

Yes, and, "nengajoo" sold by the post office have a lottery number printed at the bottom.

Japan Post offers a series of special prizes, and they announce the winning numbers in January.

Yes, definitely.

So be sure to keep an eye out if you get "nengajoo!"

Alright, let's review some sentences from the story.

Nengajoo are sent out as greetings in
celebration of the new year.

Now, read along with me.

"nengajoo wa atarashii toshi o oiwai-shite aisatsu o suru tame ni okurimasu."

The word "nengajoo" is made up of "nenga," which means "celebrate the New Year," and "joo," which means "letter" or "correspondence."

Now, let's check in with Tokunaga-sensei to learn some more useful phrases.

We write New Year's greetings
on "nengajoo."

One example is
"kinga-shinnen."

The "ga" is the same as
the "ga" in "nenga."

It means "to celebrate"
or "express congratulations."

The "kin" in "kinga" is the same
as the word "tsutsushinde."

It means "respectfully."

The phrase "kinga-shinnen"
is only used in writing.

"Akemashite omedetoo gozaimasu"
is used in writing and speech.

When addressing
close friends or family it can be shortened to
"akemashite omedetoo."

It's a greeting we use
together with the phrase "kotoshi mo yoroshiku
onegai-shimasu."

You might hear "akemashite omedetoo"
shortened to "ake-ome."

And "kotoshi mo yoroshiku
onegai-shimasu" shortened to "koto-yoro."

But these are only appropriate
for close friends and family.

Be sure not to use them
with your boss or clients.

Ah yes, I've definitely received my fair share of "ake-ome," "koto-yoro" texts on New Years.

But, a good question is, if you get an "akemashite omedetoo" message, how should you respond?

I would say "kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai-shimasu."

OK, let's move on to our next sentence.

The postcards feature an illustration
of next year's zodiac sign, the rabbit.

Now, read along with me.

"hagaki ni wa rainen no juu-ni-shi no usagi no e ga kaite arimasu."

"Juu-ni-shi" refers to the 12 animals of the Japanese zodiac.

Each year corresponds to a certain animal, making up a 12-year cycle.

And there's a specific order: "ne, ushi, tora, u, tatsu, mi, uma, hitsuji, saru, tori, inu, i."

So 2023 is "usagi-doshi" - the year of the rabbit.

And 2024 is "tatsu-doshi" - the year of the dragon.

"Nengajoo Basics."

So here are some of the "nengajoo" designs for 2023.

Oh, I'd really like these. Especially this one over here.

It kind of looks like ukiyo-e, almost.

Yeah! It's cool.

As you can see, the cards have the phrases "akemashite omedetoo" and "kinga-shinnen" on them.

And there are also cards that feature photographs.

Many people decorate their cards with photos of their family, or their newborn baby.

That's really adorable! And it really is a lot like Christmas cards or newsletters!

Yeah, that's right.

So Chiara, what would you put on your "nengajoo?"

Well, it is a bit out of theme with the year of the rabbit, but I'd put a picture of my cat front and center!

That's great.

Our zodiac doesn't include a cat, so I think that can work every year.

I totally agree.

OK, let's talk about the basics of writing a "nengajoo."

Take a look at this.

So the name and address of the recipient goes on the front, and your message goes on the back.

Do you have to write it vertically, going from top to bottom?

Well, actually, if it feels awkward, you can write horizontally like this, from left to right.

The recipient's address goes up here, then their name.

Fill in your own address and name at the bottom.

Now, let's go to the back.

New Year's greetings are usually made up of three elements.

First, open with the phrase "akemashite omedetoo gozaimasu" or "kinga-shinnen."

Second is a short, personalized message.

And third, close out your greeting with "kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai-shimasu."

I see. But what kind of things do people usually write for that middle bit?

Well, let's say it's someone you have dinner with from time to time.

You can write "mata gohan ni ikimashoo."

If you haven't seen the person in a while, you could say "mata aimashoo."

So you want something short and heartfelt.

Yes.

Mail your "nengajoo" between December 15th and the 25th and Japan Post will deliver them on New Year's Day.

In recent years, more and more people are sending "nengajoo" or season's greetings via email or text messages.

Definitely, I think that, with close friends and family, actually that can feel a little less formal.

Exactly. If you'd like to write a message from scratch but are having difficulty, there are many websites that offer templates to help you compose a personalized message.

I've definitely used those in the past.

They make writing "nengajoo" so much easier.

Right.

"Nengajoo" are more than New Year's greetings.

They're a chance to reach out and check in with the people in your life, to thank them and express your wish to build on your relationship in the year ahead.

Definitely, I‘ve also found them a really good way to reconnect with friends that I haven't seen in quite a while.

OK, I hope we've inspired you to write "nengajoo."

We'll see you next time.

See you soon!