2012年12月30日日曜日

yoi otoshi o!

In Western countries you say “Happy new year” or “Happy holidays” around this time of the year. In Japanese there are two expressions equivalent of “Happy new year”.
akemashite omedeto.
 
“Akemashite” means that a new year, day or season begins. Therefore, this is a greeting for celebrating a new year start. "Omedeto" is congratulations.
yoi otoshi o.
 
“Mukaete kudasai” should follow this, but it is omitted. The meaning of “mukaete”(mukaeru) is that the time is approaching. "Yoi" is good. "Toshi" is a year and it is preceded by honorific "o". The whole sentence conveys that you spend a good year end and greet the new year.

You should not say “akemashite omedeto” before the 1st of January. You say “yoi otoshi o” instead of good bye when you see off your friends or colleagues at the end of the year.
I should have written this post earlier, but you still can say “yoi otoshi o” today and tomorrow!

Thank you very much for reading my blog this year. I do appreciate it! I have made up my mind to write the English version more.
dewa, minasan, yoi otoshi o (よい おとしを). rainen mata aimasho!