正月

• 読み: しょうがつ
• ローマ字: shougatsu
• 漢字の分解: 正 (shō) — correct, proper, first; 月 (gatsu) — month
• 発音: /ɕoː.ɡa.t͡sɯ/

意味

New Year; New Year's Day. The most important holiday period in Japan.

A noun referring to the Japanese New Year celebration, typically the first three days of January (三が日). During 正月, most businesses close and families gather. Traditions include visiting shrines (初詣), eating special food (おせち料理), and sending New Year cards (年賀状). One of the most culturally significant words at any JLPT level.

例文

1. 正月は家族みんなで過ごします。
2. 去年の正月に京都のお寺に行きました。
3. 正月の準備でスーパーがとても混んでいます。

使い方ガイド

場面: holidays, traditions, seasons

トーン: festive

起源と歴史

Combines 正 (correct/proper/first) and 月 (month). Literally 'the first month' or 'the proper month,' referring to the first month of the year and its associated celebrations.

文化的背景

時代: Ancient

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal