O genki desu ka is a Japanese phrase “How are you?” If you have been learning Japanese for any time, you have likely heard this phrase. In many Japanese learning textbooks – お元気ですか is one of the first phrases that you will learn. This is true for our Japanese lessons as well. It is so common for beginner learners to use this phrase that there is even a Japanese learning textbook called “Genki.” (We use this textbook series in our intensive courses as well.) In this blog, we will teach you about the phrase “O genki desu ka” and show you how to use it when speaking Japanese.
What does O genki desu ka mean in Japanese
The word genki is written in Japanese kanji as 元気 This is a combination of two Kanji that are nouns – and the word genki is a na adjective.
元 (げん, gen) — beginning, origin, foundation, the source of something
When you put the words together – the word genki means “lively, full of spirit, energetic, vigorous, vital, healthy, well, fit, in good health.” Often, younger people describe their elders as “Genki.” This means that even though someone is advanced in years, they are still in good spirits and young at heart. So, there are several ways to use Genki as both a greeting and an adjective in spoken Japanese.
O genki desu ka – how to answer
In Japanese, your teachers and friends often ask you the following question: “O genki desu ka.” What is the correct response to this greeting?
お元気ですか？ O genki desu ka How are you?
元気です genki desu. I am well
When someone asks you if you are genki, you can simply say, ” Genki desu.” In English, the equivalent would be something like. “How are you?” – “I’m Good.” If you would like to answer this question in the negative – you can also do that with the following sentences:
元気ではありません。 Genki de wa arimasen I am not well. (formal way of saying it)
元気じゃないです。 Genki jya nai desu I am not well. (another formal way of saying it)
This is how it appears in most textbooks – but using the desu would seem unnatural between friends. So, when speaking with friends, you would say things slightly differently to sound natural.
Using Genki Naturally with Friends
The above example is fine for situations where you are asking a colleague you don’t know well or an acquaintance, but for friends, you would state it more casually. To make it more casual and natural when chatting with friends, you may say “Genki” with an upward voice inflection.
Your Friend: “Sam-San, Genki?” ”サムさん、元気？” <—With an upward question tone of voice
You: “Genki” 元気。
This is a more natural way to call and respond with this phrase as it signifies that you are close to the person. If you want to tell someone that you aren’t well you can use the following pattern:
Konnichiwa 「こんにちは」 is one of the first words you learn in Japanese. Often times, on social media posts, you may see it spelled as 「こんにちわ」. However, as you may have learned in your studies, the correct spelling is actually 「こんにちは」.
「こんにちは」is usually written in hiragana, but if you write it in kanji, it’s「今日は」, which can also be read as 「きょうは〜, kyo wa〜」 . This directly translates to “today is ~ ”. Originally, people often greeted each other with 「今日は天気が良いですね、kyou wa tenki ga ii desune- Today, the weather is nice.」or「今日は暑いですね、kyou wa atsui desune- Today, it is hot.」. Over time, people began to shorten their greetings by cutting off the latter portions, eventually resulting in 「こんにちは, konnichiwa」.
What Part of Speech is Konnichiwa?
At times, people ask me, “What part of speech is 「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」? Is it a noun? Greetings, including 「おはよう,ohayo- good morning」,「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day, 」, and「こんばんは, konbanwa- good evening」are not nouns, but interjection s. Interjections are words which we use when our hearts are stirred.
For example, the 「わぁー。」in「わぁー。きれいだなぁ。Waa-, kireidanaa- Waa, it’s so beautiful!」, and the 「あっ。」in「あっ。宿題を忘れた。 Aa, shukudai o wasureta- Aa, I forgot my homework!」are interjections. Therefore, greetings are words which encompass the stirring of our hearts when we meet someone, and the feeling of wanting to communicate with the people we meet.
Other Greetings Besides Konnichiwa
When do I use おはよう (Ohayou) then?
Well then, everyone, at what time do you change your greeting from 「おはよう, ohayo- good morning」to「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」? This is quite a difficult question! There is actually no fixed rule. The television and radio station NHK, which uses the most correct Japanese in Japan, states that “The greeting「おはよう,ohayo, good morning」is generally acceptable until 9:00 am.
However, you should be cautious when using it after 9:00 am.” In addition, a famous Tokyo hotel states that “For guests, we use 「おはようございます, ohayogozaimasu- good morning (polite)」until around 10:30 am, and after that we use 「いらっしゃいませ, irasshaimase- welcome」.
What about こんばんは (Konbanwa)?
How about the transition from 「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」to「こんばんは, konbanwa- good afternoon」? This is actually even more difficult! NHK states that “「こんばんは,konbanwa- good afternoon」is generally used after the sun has gone down and it gets pretty dark. It is better not to use it when the sun is still out.” In short, when you transition greeting is dependent on the season. For me, I think in the summer I switch greetings around 7:00 pm, and in the winter around 5:30 pm.
Japanese greetings allow you to communicate with the people you meet, while also keeping the seasons and time in mind. However, do you ever think that the greetings used by some store clerks in Japan are a little too obnoxious? I think those type of greetings might just be the requirements of the store manual and perhaps aren’t the most sincere.
After having learned all of these, why not try putting these to use by greeting people over the phone? Or, if you have a friend that you haven’t met in awhile, why not try using “Hisashiburi” with them!
“Konnichiwa” is a common Japanese greeting that translates to “Hello.” However, the most appropriate English equivalent can vary depending on the time of day.
When do you use "Konnichiwa"?
“Konnichiwa” is a versatile greeting used in various situations. It’s a polite way to greet someone, especially when meeting someone for the first time or addressing someone of higher status. While it can be used at any time of day, it’s more commonly used as a general greeting.
What's the difference between "Ohayō" and "Konnichiwa"?
“Ohayō” means “Good morning” and is primarily used in the morning. “Konnichiwa” is a more general greeting, but “Ohayō” is considered more appropriate in the morning.
What's the difference between "Konbanwa" and "Konnichiwa"?
“Konbanwa” means “Good evening” and is primarily used in the evening. “Konnichiwa” is a more general greeting, but “Konbanwa” is more appropriate in the evening.
Omoshiroi is a Japanese word that means many things. It can be used to describe something as “Interesting, Amusing, Fascinating, Funny, Enjoyable, Entertaining, Fun” and more! The Kanji for Omoshiroi is 面白い and Omoshiroi written in Hiragana is おもしろい. Omoshiroi is an I adjective, and it’s a JLPT N5 Level Vocabulary word – so chances are, you will encounter it very early in your Japanese learning.
Example Sentences using Omoshiroi (面白い)
Omoshiroi is primarily used to either mean Interesting or funny. It’s hard to describe exactly how you draw the line between when and how to use it. In English, it would be similar to someone telling you, “You’re interesting.” This phrase could mean several things depending on the tone of voice you use. Omoshiroi in Japanese is very similar – depending on the tone of voice that you are using, it can change the meaning of the sentence entirely.
その本は面白いと思います。
sono hon wa omoshiroi to omoimasu
I think that book is interesting.
トランプはとても面白い。
Toranpu ha tottemo omoshiroi
Playing cards is very fun!
あなたは面白い人です。
Anata wa omoshiroi hito desu
You are a funny person.
ピアノを弾くことは面白い。
Piano wo hiku koto wa omoshiroi
Playing the piano is fun
そのアニメはとても面白いです。
Sono anime wa tottemo omoshiroidesu.
That anime is very interesting
When NOT to use Omoshiroi
One important thing to note is that you should not use it to describe tragic events. Just like when speaking English, there is a time and a place for certain words. Describing an unfortunate situation or a tragic event with this word could be seen as very rude or strange. Friend 1: “Did you see a large fire in an apartment building?” Friend 2: “That’s funny!” <—- See how this is inappropriate? So, for example, you would not say that a very sad movie is Omoshiroi. You could—and some people do—but you really have to know how to use the word appropriately to avoid creating uncomfortable situations for the people with whom you are speaking Japanese. For a general rule of thumb, think of it as a word meant to describe interesting, amusing, entertaining, and fun things. So, for interesting things with a sad or bad component, skip it!
You Might Be Wondering…
How do you use "omoshiroi" in a sentence?
Here are some examples:
Fun: この映画はおもしろい。 (Kono eiga wa omoshiroi.) – This movie is fun.
Funny: あの人のジョークはおもしろい。 (Ano hito no jōku wa omoshiroi.) – That person’s jokes are funny.
Interesting: この本はおもしろい。 (Kono hon wa omoshiroi.) – This book is interesting.
Is there a difference between "omoshiroi" and "tanoshii" (楽しい)?
While both “omoshiroi” and “tanoshii” can be used to express enjoyment, there is a subtle difference:
Omoshiroi: Emphasizes the quality of being interesting or entertaining.
Tanoshii: Emphasizes the feeling of happiness or pleasure.
Are there other words for "fun" or "interesting" in Japanese?
Yes, there are other words that can be used depending on the context:
Exciting: 興奮する (kōfun suru)
Hilarious: 腹を抱えて笑う (hara o kakaete warau)
Fascinating: 魅惑的 (miwakuteki)
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Anyone hoping to see the monarchy and the inner-grounds of the Imperial Palace simultaneously should plan a visit for February 23 — the Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日 or “Tenno Tanjoubi”) — which is always a public holiday.
First-timers in Tokyo usually have a list of “must-sees”, which along with Tokyo Skytree and Senso-ji, but don’t forget to include the home of Japan’s royal family, the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Akihito is the 125th emperor of Japan, and he has been the head of Japan’s monarchy since his father, Emperor Showa, passed away in 1989.
He and his family primarily reside within the Tokyo Imperial Palace (known in Japanese as kokyo), which has been the main home of the royal family since the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
His successor, Emperor Naruhito’s birthday is on February 23. Since 2020, that date has become the Emperor’s Birthday. This year, since his birthday falls on a Sunday, the national holiday will be observed on Monday, February 24th.
History of the Emperor’s Birthday
The public holiday associated with the emperor’s birthday is a product of Japan’s post-war constitution.
It was originally connected to April 29 (the birthday of Emperor Showa) but it moved to December 23 when Emperor Akihito succeeded him. Funnily enough, though, April 29 has remained a public holiday, albeit under a different name.
Which Era is Japan in Now?
The time period in which an emperor reign is assigned a specific era, for example, the Showa era and Meiji era, are among the most recent.
Did you also know that the Showa era had its very own holiday known as Showa Day? Well, with that out of the way, Emperor Akihito’s reign is also often referred to as the Heisei (平成) Era, of which “Heisei” means “achieving peace”.
Since 2019, the current Japanese calendar is Reiwa Era. The kanji is written as “令和”, which means “beautiful harmony”.
Japan’s Unique Monarchy
The Japanese word for the emperor is Tenno (天皇), which literally means “heavenly sovereign”. This fitting description corresponds well to the myth of Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu, who was thought to have been a descendant of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu.
Although Emperor Jimmu’s connection to the sun may be ambiguous, the duration of Japan’s monarchy isn’t. The Imperial Family is regarded as the world’s oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, reigning for over 1500 years.
Their crest and official seal is a 16-petaled chrysanthemum (kiku) which can be found on the front cover of Japanese passports as well as the ¥50 coin.
However, in Japan’s case, the name for the head of the monarch is merely a difference of titles, making the function more similar to the Queen of the United Kingdom.
After WWII, the emperor relinquished governmental power and political engagement, becoming “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people”.
King vs. Emperor?
Most of us are pretty familiar with the terms, king and queen, but out of all 43 countries with a monarchy, Japan is the only country to have an emperor and empress.
So, what is the difference between the two? An emperor can be thought of as the “king of kings”, whilst an empress is the “queen of queens”.
It follows that historically, emperors and empresses would possess more power than kings and queens. However, in Japan’s case, the name for the head of the monarch is merely a difference of titles, making the function more similar to the Queen of the United Kingdom.
How is the Emperor’s Birthday Celebrated?
The best place to celebrate this holiday is in Tokyo. Every year, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, along with other family members, appear at the palace balcony to welcome tens of thousands of people to the Imperial Palace grounds.
In turn, the monarchy is greeted by their waving visitors with Japanese flags, before they are ushered into the building for a tour of the inner grounds.
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There’s always something to celebrate in Japan. To pay homage to the ocean, Japan has Marine Day (海の日), which falls on the third Monday of every July. With over 73% of Japan’s terrain being mountainous, Japan’s newest public holiday, Mountain Day (or Yama no Hi), definitely seems like another fitting addition.
Created as a day to honor and give thanks to the blessings of the mountains, Mountain Day was officially announced in 2014, and first observed in 2016 after campaigns by various mountain-related groups. Mountain Day, or Yama no Hi (山の日) in Japanese, occurs annually on August 11.
In 2022, Mountain Day falls on a Thursday. Next year, in 2023, you’ll feel luckier; it will be on a Friday, making a three-day weekend that’s perfect for a summer getaway trip.
This national Japanese holiday brings the total number of public holidays in Japan to 16 — the most of any other G8 country. Despite the Happy Monday System, which moved several public holidays to Mondays, creating three-day weekends, Mountain Day takes place on the same date every year. To find out more about Japan’s newest holiday and how to adore the mountains from Tokyo, read on.
How Was the Mountain Day Date Chosen?
Before Mountain Day was officially passed as a national holiday, it was already being celebrated on 11th August in various places across Japan. Apparently, this date was chosen because the eighth month is denoted by the kanji ‘八’ – which resembles a mountain, and ‘11’ – which resembles two trees. Additionally, there are no other public holidays in August, so it was hoped that people would stop working to enjoy the mountains, or at the very least, boost spending in the economy.
Is Mountain Day Unique to Japan?
Worldwide, there are two other ‘Mountain Days’: a student celebration in the U.S where lessons are canceled without prior warning and students head to the mountains for the day, and International Mountain Day on 11th December, which was created by the United Nations General Assembly to encourage sustainable development in the mountains.
What about the other Prefectures in Japan?
With so many mountains and sights to see over the Nagano and YamanashiPrefecture, why not try visiting there on Mountain Day! The sights are sure to leave you in awe as they are absolutely breathtaking!
How is Japan’s Mountain Day Celebrated?
As a such new addition, no established customs are honoring this day. Although, the general recommendation is to spend time connecting with, exploring and appreciating the mountains by hiking, walking or climbing.
How You Can Celebrate Mountain Day in Tokyo
For us Tokyoites, hiking and nature immersion may be most accessible in Mount Takao, western Tokyo. This tree-topped mountain is one of the easiest places to lap-up the highland scenery, and there are numerous trails available, with the most popular only taking 90 minutes. Other popular mountains near Tokyo include Mt. Mitake, Mt. Mito, Mt. Tsukuba and Mt. Mitsutoge.
If you can’t get to the mountains but would still like to see them, why not view them from an observation desk? Bunkyo Civic Centre offers spectacular views across Shinjuku towards Mount Fuji – and it’s free. Don’t forget to check visibility in advance!
A simple way to appreciate the blessings of the mountains is to visit an onsen. Perhaps you could visit one near home, or if you want to make a day of it, venture to Oedo Onsen Monogatari.
You don’t have to be a professional to paint or draw. Said to lower stress, and improve creativity, sketching your favorite mountain is another way to commemorate Mountain Day. Why not unleash your creativity and invite some friends to join you?
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This will be a thorough guide on how to apply for the JLPT online. It’s almost that time of the year again when most of us are getting all ready to sign up for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, otherwise known as the JLPT. With varying difficulty levels from N5 to N1 (with N1 being the most difficult), it is relatively important to start deciding on which level to take on the test date before applying for the JLPT online. With that being said, let’s get on with some of the details related to the test!
Test Dates
First things first, let’s go through the dates on which the tests are being held so you can mark them down on the calendar. Throughout the span of one year, there are typically JLPT tests being held biannually. These tests are usually held once in July and once in December.
First JLPT Test in 2023: July 2, 2023
Second JLPT Test in 2023: December 3, 2023
Registration Dates for 2023 July JLPT
Registration through the MyJLPT page is not yet open for the July 2023 JLPT.
Registration Dates for 2023 December JLPT
Registration through the MyJLPT page is not yet open for the December 2023 JLPT.
Test Location
Moving on, let’s see the various locations in which you can take the JLPT. You have two option: take the test locally in Japan or in an educational institute overseas. For the full and comprehensive list of overseas institutes which conduct JLPT, head on down to the link over here to check if it is an approved institute.
As the location in which you take the JLPT varies, there may be different procedures, windows or deadlines of which you have to take note. However, the test date still remains to be the same. For more information on how you would go about applying for the JLPT online or otherwise, please click on any one of the links below:
Looking at the test components, JLPT Test Levels N1 to N3 is composed of 3 Components: Reading (60 marks), Vocabulary (60 marks) as well as Listening (60 marks). As for JLPT Test Levels N4 to N5, there are 2 Components: Japanese Language Knowledge (120 marks) and Listening (60 marks).
Step 5: Confirm your Personal Information and check your Email Inbox for a Confirmation Email
Part 2: Registering for a Test Online with your MyJLPT Account
Once you have obtained the myjlpt id you will be asked to complete the online application from your myjlpt page. The website itself is more friendly to certain web browsers – and the site recommends that you use Microsoft edge.
Step 1: Log in to your My JLPT account
Step 2: Click on “Examination application
Step 3: Choose your application type
Step 4: Sign the agreement to the privacy policy
Step 5: Choose your level and fill in other details required
Step 6: Choose Payment type
If you are in Japan, you can pay the test fee through several payment methods: credit card, bank transfer or payment via the convenience store. Please confirm the available payment method for countries outside Japan. Generally, credit card is acceptable.
Step 7: Confirm your information
Final step: The application will be completed after confirmation of your information
Application Window
For local students, the application window can start anywhere from Mid-March (July Test) to Mid-August (December Test). As for overseas students, the application window can be anywhere from March to April (July Test) or August to September (December Test). Check your MyJLPT Account for more details and stay up to date on when you can apply.
Payment of Fees & Window for Payment to be Made
After completing your application, you must complete payment before your registration will be confirmed. Test Fees are approximately 5,500 Yen but may vary based on the location in which you decide to take the test.
If you are in Japan – the payment options for the JLPT range from online with a credit card to cash at a convenience store or post office. If you are outside of Japan – the payment method will depend on the test location.
From January 17, 2022, a separate fee of 110 yen will be required for a cash payment from Japan Post Bank ATM. For group applications, a fee of 110 yen will be required for each “payment number”.
The test payment window for December is early to late September.
After making payment, you will be set to receive a Test Voucher which you would need to bring into your test venue to confirm and verify your status as a participant of the JLPT you have signed up for. Ensure that this slip of paper is well-kept and not lost as it is very important.
If you sign up for the JLPT 2022 in December, you will likely receive your test voucher sometime in November.
With these, remember to bring in some form of identification together with your Test Voucher. With that, take the test and you’re all good to go.
Release of Results
After all that hard work, just sit back, relax and give yourself a well-deserved break. Until the time comes, enjoy yourself! But until when? Well, the release of results can vary based on whether you’ve taken the test locally or from an overseas educational institute but here are some dates you can stay on the lookout for!
Local July Test: Early September
Local December Test: Early February
Overseas July Test: Early October
Overseas December Test: Early March
Note: For Overseas Students, collect your Score Reports, and hopefully a Certificate of Proficiency, at your Local Host Institute. As for Local Students, the Score Reports and Certificates will be mailed to you directly based on the address associated with your MyJLPT Account.
If you have questions about our school or taking JLPT Prep lessons with us, don’t worry. Here’s a link to the FAQ site where you can check to see if it answers any queries you have. With that, we would like to wish you all the best and happy studying! 😀
When is the next JLPT and when can I sign up?
The next JLPT Examination is in: December 4, 2022
Registration is from: August 25 to September 15
Where do I apply?
To apply, you will need a MyJLPT account, which you can sign up for here. Once you have an account, you can sign in with your account and start to register.
When do the JLPT results come out?
Depending on when you take the test, the release of the results can differ. In general, you will get your results 2-3 months after the test. Here is when you should look out for your results depending on when you take the test!
Local July Test: Early September
Local December Test: Early February
Overseas July Test: Early October
Overseas December Test: Early March
I have a question about the JLPT that isn't addressed here. What do I do?
If you have any JLPT related inquiries, you can visit the JLPT FAQ site. Your answer should be there.
Start taking Japanese lessons and pass the JLPT exam!
Due to its somewhat controversial origins, National Foundation Day was abolished following the post-war constitution, but it subsequently bounced back 20 years later.
We wonder: does it still hold the same meaning?
What is Japan’s 建国記念の日 (National Foundation Day)?
National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi, 建国記念の日) is a public holiday which occurs annually on February 11. If there is a day to be patriotic in Japan, it is National Foundation Day.
As the name implies, National Foundation Day celebrates the foundation of Japan, and the ascension of Japan’s first emperor: Emperor Jimmu.
According to the legend, Emperor Jimmu is a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu and Japan’s first ruler. His accession is traditionally dated as 660 BCE, on the first day of the first month following the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
“Kenkoku Kinen no Hi” Explained
“Kenkoku” (建国) means “founding of a nation”
“Kinen” (記念) means “commemoration”
“no” (の) is the possessive particle (similar to “of”)
And “Hi”(日) means “day”.
Putting those together, we have the direct — albeit fairly messy — translation “founding of a nation, commemoration day”
The Beginnings of the Holiday
The origins of National Foundation Day are bound tightly to the Meiji Restoration (Meiji Ishin, 明治維新) — a pivotal period in Japan’s history.
Though this fact alone doesn’t make the holiday contentious, rather, it was the government’s intent for the holiday at that time.
Joys of modernization came with the Meiji Ishin, but so did massive political, social and economic changes, including the government’s attempt to connect Shintoism to the State.
The national holiday “Empire Day” (Kigensetsu, 紀元節) was a direct product of these efforts, and from 1873 until 1945, Kigensetsu was used to commemorate the Emperor as the “one true ruler of Japan”.
National Foundation Day was originally called 紀元節 (Empire Day). Proclaimed by the Meiji government in 1872, Empire Day was likely created to unify the country under the Imperial family’s rule.
The same year Japan decided to officially adopt the Gregorian calendar was the first time this day was observed on January 29.
This holiday was deemed to be nationalistic in nature, so it was abolished in Japan’s Post-war Constitution. In 1873, Empire Day was moved to the 11 of February.
Indeed, as many Japanese were still observing the Chinese calendar, Empire Day was confused with the New Year celebrations.
Empire Day was abolished after World War II and re-established as National Foundation Day in 1966 after numerous complaints.
Why on the February 11?
The legend states that Emperor Jimmu ascended to the throne on the first day of the new year, but until 1873, Japan used the lunisolar calendar.
It was during the modernization of Japan that the Meiji Emperor deemed it necessary to switch from the Lunisolar Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar which is used in Japan today. Hence, the first day of the Lunisolar Calendar corresponds to February 11 in the Gregorian Calendar.
How is National Foundation Day Celebrated?
The original holiday, Kigensetsu, was once a big occasion in Japan. It was considered to be one of the four most famous holidays, and so the day was marked with celebrations and large parades.
These days, however, the day is much more understated. During this time, many businesses and government buildings are closed. Although you will probably see more Japanese flags, there aren’t many overt displays of patriotism.
Vocabulary
To commemorate Japan on this day, here are some kanji connected to this holiday, in order of difficulty (based on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, otherwise known as the “JLPT”). How many did you already know? JLPT Level 5: Japan, 日本, reading: にほん, or more formally: にっぽん JLPT Level 4: Company, 社, onyomi:しゃ, kunyomi: やしろ JLPT Level 3: Holiday/absence from work, 休暇, reading: きゅうか JLPT Level 2: History, 史, reading: し JLPT Level 1: National Flag, 旗, onyomi: き, kunyomi: はた
Interested in Japanese culture? For related articles:
National Foundation Day, or Kenkoku Kinen no Hi, falls on February 11 every year. It’s a national holiday in Japan.
What was National Foundation Day first called in Japan?
National Foundation Day was originally called 紀元節 (Empire Day). In 1873, Empire Day was moved to the 11 of February because many Japanese were still observing the Chinese calendar, Empire Day was confused with the New Year celebrations.
How do Japanese people celebrate National Foundation Day?
These days, it’s less celebrated. During this time, many businesses and government buildings are closed. Although you will probably see more Japanese flags, there aren’t many overt displays of patriotism.
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Happy New Year everyone! 明けましておめでとうございます! We hope you’ve enjoyed a great time with your loved ones during these holidays.
In Japanese, you can say the phrase “Happy New Year” with various expressions. It partly depends on whether you’re in December or January, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference, too.
How to “Congragulate” Something in Japanese
明けましておめでとうございます。 Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
What a wonderful expression to get familiar with. The word 明けまして is based on the ideogram “明“, composed of the sun (日) and the moon (月). This kanji has many meanings, among which you’ll find ‘bright’, ‘dawn’, and ‘changing’.
明けましておめでとう is celebrating the dawn of a new year, or simply speaking, the new year’s opening. おめでとうございます is the phrase you’ll use for congratulations in various situations, marriages, birthdays and graduations.
These are some ways in which you can use おめでとうございます:
ご結婚おめでとうございます。 Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu. Congratulations on your marriage.
合格おめでとうございます。 Goukaku omedetou gozaimasu. Congratulations on passing the exam.
You’ll also find several variations for saying the expression. The most basic one would be akemashite omedetou, but you can change them if you want to spruce something more interesting.
明けましておめでとうございます。 Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Happiness to you on the dawn [of a New Year]
新年おめでとうございます。 Shinnen omedetou gozaimasu. Happy New Year!
新年、明けましておめでとうございます。 Shinnen, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Happiness to you on the dawn of a New Year.
If you’re late to give your wishes, you’ll have to politely apologize.
遅ればせながら、明けましておめでとうございます。 Okurebasenagara, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. It is a little late, but Happy New Year.
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 Douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. I look forward to being with you.
When wishing a happy new year in Japanese, you’ll also say 今年もどうぞよろしくお願いしますwhich can be translated as “we’ll be counting on you this year as well”.
Keep in mind that the expression can’t be translated easily. Depending on the context, it may have various meanings.
When following new year wishes, the phrase calls for a good relationship this year as well. For most Japanese, it’s a custom greeting mostly used when you are around your colleagues and clients.
Indicating “This Year”
‘This year’ can be expressed with 今年, more natural and friendly or with 本年, in a formal document and polite letter.
明けましておめでとうございます。本年も変わりませず、よろしくお願いもうしあげます。 Happy New Year. Without change, I will be counting on you this year as well.
遅ればせながら、本年もどうぞ よろしくお願いいたします。 It’s a little late, but I will be counting on you this year as well.
ご挨拶が遅れましたが、明けましておめでとうございます。 本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 I am late to present my salutations, but Happy New Year. I will be counting on you this year as well.
When giving your wishes to your boss, make sure to thank him for his guidance!
今年もよろしくご指導くださいますよう、お願もうしあげます。 This year as well, I will be counting on your guidance.
Have you ever heard the word “oishii!” in Japanese? It’s a common adjective found in Japanese media, like anime, comics, TV, as well as in everyday life in Japan. “Oishii” is an easy-to-use Japanese word. In other words, once you understand the meaning and how it’s used – you will be able to immediately add it to your daily Japanese vocabulary! In this blog article we are looking at the meaning of the Japanese word “oishii” (おいしい) – and how you can start using it right away.
What Does “Oishii” Mean in Japanese?
“Oishii” is a Japanese i-adjective which means “delicious” or “good-tasting”. It is written in either hiragana as おいしい, or in kanji as 美味しい. The kanji that make up “oishii” are: 美 which means “beautiful”, and 味 which means “taste/flavor”. These kanji can also be read 美味い (umai) which also means delicious or good tasting. 美味い (umai) is a more masculine sounding expression. Because it is an i-adjective (いー形容詞), it can be modified to describe something that looks delicious. In this case, you say 美味しそう (oishi sou). For more information on this adjective modification, check out this Youtube video! You can also use it in past tense by replacing the い ending with かった → 美味しかった (oishikatta – it was delicious). To make this polite, simply add です (desu) to the end. Additionally, if you want to learn even MORE vocabulary to talk about food, check out this blog article full of useful words to describe food!
When Can I Use “Oishii”?
The short answer is – anytime the food is おいしい! Just like in any other culture – this is a great way to compliment the chef. Like if you are doing a homestay with a Japanese family, you can tell whoever prepared the food that it is おいしい！ Japanese people enjoy food – and they like commenting on it as well. So if you are out with your friends at a restaurant or cafe, you can tell them if you think the food is delicious, and see if they agree! Can you think of any other situations where you might use “oishii”? Let us know on one of our social media outlets, like twitter!
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