Hello, I’m Kodak.
If you watch Japanese New Year videos, read anime posts in January, or receive a message from a Japanese friend, you may see this long greeting:
Hiragana: あけましておめでとうございます
Romaji: akemashite omedetou gozaimasu
Natural English: Happy New Year!
As a complete greeting, 明けましておめでとうございます means “Happy New Year!”
Once we divide it into smaller parts, the phrase becomes much easier to remember.
明けましておめでとう (akemashite omedetou) is a casual or friendly way to say “Happy New Year.”
明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetou gozaimasu) is the polite version and is the safest form for teachers, coworkers, clients, older people, and anyone you do not know well.
What Does Akemashite Omedetou Mean?
明けましておめでとう is the standard Japanese New Year greeting. Its natural English meaning is:
⇒ Happy New Year!
⇒ Congratulations on the beginning of the new year!
⇒ Best wishes for the new year!
The phrase is used after the new year has begun. It celebrates the arrival of a new year and expresses good wishes to the other person.
明けましておめでとう！
Akemashite omedetou!
Happy New Year!
明けましておめでとうございます。
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
Happy New Year.
明けましておめでとう is friendly and casual.
明けましておめでとうございます is polite and respectful.
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu Meaning
Adding ございます makes the greeting more polite. It does not add a separate idea such as “very” or “truly.” Its main job is to raise the level of politeness.
Casual: friends, family, close classmates, children
明けましておめでとうございます
Polite: teachers, supervisors, coworkers, clients, neighbors, acquaintances
When you are unsure, 明けましておめでとうございます is the safer choice.
The Phrase Broken Down: 明けまして＋おめでとう＋ございます
the year having begun; now that the new year has arrived
おめでとう
congratulations; congratulations on this happy occasion
ございます
a polite element that makes the greeting more respectful
A very literal explanation would be something like:
＋
this is a happy and auspicious occasion
＋
polite ending
↓
Happy New Year!
When translating the complete greeting, simply use “Happy New Year!”
What Does 明けまして Mean?
明けまして comes from the verb 明ける (akeru). In the expression 年が明ける, it means that the old year has ended and a new year has begun.
Toshi ga akeru.
A new year begins.
年が明けました
Toshi ga akemashita.
The new year has begun.
明けまして
Akemashite
The year having begun / now that the new year has begun…
The form 明けまして connects the beginning of the year to the congratulatory expression おめでとうございます.
明ける is used when night, a year, or a period ends and the next stage begins.
開ける means to open something such as a door, window, or box.
開ける — open a door, window, container, etc.
空ける — empty something; make space; leave a place unused
What Does おめでとう Mean?
おめでとう is a congratulatory expression used for happy events such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, victories, and the new year.
誕生日おめでとう。
Tanjōbi omedetou.
Happy birthday.
卒業おめでとうございます。
Sotsugyō omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on your graduation.
The expression developed from おめでたい, meaning “joyous,” “auspicious,” or “worthy of celebration.” Its form おめでたく changed in pronunciation to おめでとう.
For modern everyday Japanese, write おめでとう in hiragana.
Akemashite Omedetou in Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana
明けましておめでとうございます
All hiragana:
あけましておめでとうございます
Katakana:
アケマシテオメデトウゴザイマス
Normally used only for special visual emphasis
The most natural standard spelling is:
Only 明 is normally written in kanji. The rest is usually written in hiragana.
Using 明けまして simply looks more standard in adult writing.
The Kanji 明
On-reading: めい / みょう
Kun-reading: あかるい / あける / あく
Core meanings: bright; clear; dawn; a period coming to an end and a new stage beginning
In 明けまして, the reading is あけまして (akemashite).
How to Pronounce Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
Romaji: akemashite omedetou gozaimasu
Slow rhythm:
a-ke-ma-shi-te / o-me-de-to-u / go-za-i-ma-su
Three pronunciation points are especially useful for beginners.
1. Do Not Turn し into English “She” Too Strongly
The し (shi) in まして is light and short. Keep the Japanese rhythm even rather than stressing one syllable heavily.
2. The Long Vowel in おめでとう Matters
The ending とう contains a long “o” sound. Hold it slightly longer than a single short vowel:
おめでとう — correct long vowel
3. The Final う in ございます May Sound Light
In natural speech, the final vowel of ます can sound weak, but the expression should not be rushed into one unclear sound.
Try saying it slowly first:
あ・け・ま・し・て｜お・め・で・と・う｜ご・ざ・い・ま・す
When Do You Say Akemashite Omedetou?
Use 明けましておめでとうございます after the new year begins, when greeting someone for the new year.
・after midnight on January 1
・in your first New Year message to someone
・when meeting someone for the first time in the new year
・on New Year cards and social media posts
・during the New Year holiday period
You do not normally say it before the old year has ended. Before New Year’s Day, use 良いお年を (yoi otoshi o), meaning “Have a good New Year.”
良いお年を！
Have a good New Year!
After the new year begins:
明けましておめでとう！
Happy New Year!
Before midnight, say 良いお年を. Once the new year begins, switch to 明けましておめでとう.
How to Reply to Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
The easiest reply is to return the same greeting.
A：明けましておめでとうございます。
Happy New Year.B：明けましておめでとうございます。
Happy New Year.
A very common complete exchange adds 今年もよろしくお願いします.
Happy New Year.
今年もよろしくお願いします。
I look forward to your continued friendship, support, or cooperation this year.
今年もよろしくお願いします expresses a wish to continue getting along, working together, or supporting each other.
Casual, Polite, and Business New Year Greetings
Casual: Friends and Family
明けましておめでとう！今年もよろしく！
Akemashite omedetou! Kotoshi mo yoroshiku!
Happy New Year! Let’s have another great year!
Polite: Teachers, Coworkers, and Acquaintances
明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Happy New Year. I look forward to your continued support this year.
More Formal Business Greeting
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。
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Honnen mo dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Happy New Year. We sincerely look forward to your continued support this year.
今年 (kotoshi) is normal in everyday speech.
本年 (honnen) sounds more formal and is common in business greetings and written messages.
Akeome Meaning: New Year Slang
Young people and close friends may shorten the greeting to あけおめ (akeome).
Short for 明けましておめでとう
Meaning: Happy New Year!
Tone: very casual
ことよろ
Short for 今年もよろしく
Meaning: Let’s have another good year!
Tone: very casual
あけおめ！ことよろ！
Akeome! Kotoyoro!
Happy New Year! Let’s have a good one!
Use 明けましておめでとうございます with professors, supervisors, clients, and people you do not know well.
Natural Example Sentences
明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Happy New Year. I look forward to another good year with you.
みなさん、明けましておめでとうございます。
Minasan, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
Happy New Year, everyone.
明けましておめでとう！今年もたくさん遊ぼうね。
Akemashite omedetou! Kotoshi mo takusan asobō ne.
Happy New Year! Let’s hang out a lot this year too.
先生、明けましておめでとうございます。
Sensei, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
Happy New Year, teacher.
少し遅くなりましたが、明けましておめでとうございます。
Sukoshi osoku narimashita ga, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
It is a little late, but Happy New Year.
明けましておめでとうございます。皆様のご健康とご多幸をお祈りいたします。
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Minasama no gokenkō to gotakō o oinori itashimasu.
Happy New Year. I wish you all good health and happiness.
あけおめ！今年もよろしくね。
Akeome! Kotoshi mo yoroshiku ne.
Happy New Year! Let’s have another great year.
New Year Message Templates
For a Friend
Happy New Year! Thank you for everything last year. Let’s have another great year!
For a Teacher
Happy New Year. Thank you very much for all your help last year. I look forward to your continued guidance this year.
For a Coworker
Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you again this year.
For Social Media
Happy New Year! I hope this year will be a wonderful one.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saying It Before New Year’s Day
January 1 onward: 明けましておめでとうございます
Mistake 2: Using the Casual Form with Everyone
明けましておめでとう is friendly, but add ございます when speaking to someone who deserves polite language.
Mistake 3: Writing おめでとう Entirely in Unusual Kanji
Spellings such as 御目出度う exist, but modern learners should normally write おめでとう in hiragana.
Mistake 4: Pronouncing おめでとう Too Short
Do not lose the long vowel at the end. The rhythm is お・め・で・と・う.
Mistake 5: Translating 今年もよろしくお願いします Word for Word
The expression does not have one fixed English translation. Depending on the relationship, it can mean “I look forward to working with you,” “Let’s continue to be friends,” or “Thank you for your continued support.”
FAQ About Akemashite Omedetou
What does akemashite omedetou mean?
明けましておめでとう means “Happy New Year.” It is the casual or friendly version of the Japanese New Year greeting.
What does akemashite omedetou gozaimasu mean?
It also means “Happy New Year,” but ございます makes the expression polite and respectful.
How do you write akemashite omedetou in kanji?
The standard spelling is 明けましておめでとう. In the polite form, write 明けましておめでとうございます.
Can akemashite omedetou be written entirely in hiragana?
Yes. あけましておめでとうございます is correct and understandable. The mixed spelling with 明 is more standard in adult writing.
What is the difference between omedetou and omedetou gozaimasu?
おめでとう is casual, while おめでとうございます is polite.
When should I say akemashite omedetou?
Use it after the new year has begun, normally in your first New Year greeting or message to someone.
What do Japanese people say before New Year?
Before the year ends, Japanese people commonly say 良いお年を, meaning “Have a good New Year.”
How should I reply to akemashite omedetou gozaimasu?
Reply with the same greeting. You can then add 今年もよろしくお願いします.
Is akeome rude?
あけおめ is not inherently insulting, but it is very casual. Use it only with close friends or in casual online communication.
Can I say akemashite omedetou to my boss?
Yes, but use the polite form: 明けましておめでとうございます. A common business continuation is 本年もよろしくお願いいたします.
Related Japanese New Year Words
大晦日 (ōmisoka) — New Year’s Eve
初詣 (hatsumōde) — the first shrine or temple visit of the year
お年玉 (otoshidama) — New Year money given mainly to children
年賀状 (nengajō) — New Year greeting card
おせち料理 (osechi ryōri) — traditional Japanese New Year food
良いお年を (yoi otoshi o) — Have a good New Year
Explore the complete vocabulary guide here: Japanese New Year Words and Traditions.
Summary: Akemashite Omedetou Meaning and Kanji
明けましておめでとう means “Happy New Year.”
● Polite form
明けましておめでとうございます is the polite and safest version.
● Kanji
The standard spelling is 明けましておめでとうございます.
● Hiragana
あけましておめでとうございます is also correct.
● Word structure
明けまして = now that the new year has begun
おめでとう = congratulations / this is a happy occasion
ございます = polite ending
● When to use it
Use it after the new year begins. Before the new year, say 良いお年を.
● Natural continuation
今年もよろしくお願いします.
明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
It is polite, natural, and useful in almost any New Year situation.
References
- Kotobank: 明ける
- Kotobank: 年が明ける
- Kotobank: おめでとう
- The Japan Foundation: Annual Events — Ōmisoka
- The Japan Foundation: Irodori — Japanese Life and Culture Tips