Notes: This page is written both in English and in Japanese.

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Advanced Japanese Language School of Los Angeles
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Today's lesson
How to say "Happy New Year" in Japanese
Two distinctive ways:
1) よい おとし を
2) しんねん おめでとう or あけまして おめでとう

Executive Summary: 
Don't jump the gun!
Before the fact -
よい おとしを
"Yoi O-toshi-o"

After the fact - 
しんねん おめでとう 
"Shinnen omedetou" 
or 
あけまして おめでとう 
"Akemashite omedetou" 

Details:
1) よい おとしを（おむかえください） 
Yoi O-toshi-o (o-mukae kudasai) 
良いお年を（お迎えください） 
The above is what you say BEFORE the new year comes.
Roughly meaning, "Greet a great coming year."
The truncated version is easier and sufficient. 

2）On the other hand, 
しんねん おめでとう or あけまして おめでとう 
"Shinnen omedetou" or "Akemashite omedetou" 
新年おめでとう or 明けましておめでとう 
is something you say AFTER the new year has come. 
Roughly, "A new year has come. We celebrate!" 
Using the second type BEFORE the beginning of the new year is 
a common mistake among English speakers. 
Saying "しんねん ..." or "あけまして..." beforehand would sound like jumping the gun 
and shouting "Happy New Year" in Times Square in New York 
while the other people were still counting down.

However, Japanese native speakers probably would not correct you 
even if you made a mistake as they would appreciate your effort. 

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ロサンゼルス上級日本語学校
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