Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu, kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu

[mbarker]

That's the new year greeting here in Japan. It's often translated as simply "Happy New Year!" but there is more there than meets the Berlitz translation.

First, "akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" is both "it is opening" or "it is beginning" and a dash of happiness or thanksgiving for that new start. Then comes the "kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu." Please continue to help me in the new year? That plea for aid and support in the new year ties back to the heirarchical relationships in Japan, where the higher person is expected to help the lower person. Just before the New Year, in fact, there's often an exchange that includes "This year there has been much that made me happy" and then this phrase asks for continued help in the new year.

So - We start again, and I look forward to your help and support in this new time. Thanks!

Or in Japanese, "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu, kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Comments

[classiclon.livejournal.com]

Domo Arigato, Barker-san (And that finishes my command of Japanese.)

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Dou itashimashite (which always makes me giggle because someone once told me they remembered it as "don't toucha my moustache" with a funky italian accent). Basically means not at all, or you're welcome.

In the year of the rat, Heisei 20 (20th year of the current Emperor).

napajnibor

[(Anonymous)]

Here are my self made favorites. When it's time to eat, aka itadakimasu .... eat the daikon imasu.

And when selling stuff, aka irasshaimase ...... in rain shine me sell.