How Do You Say “Happy New Year!” in Japanese?

“Happy New Year” in Japanese, if/when consulting a dictionary comes up

あけましておめでとうございます

ah ke (like in Keds) mah she te (like in ten) oh me (like in meds) de (like in dead) toe go zeye (like in eye with a ‘z’) mah sue

The ‘she’ is said somewhat soft, as in the whisper “shh!”. The last ‘sue’ sounds like a snake – ‘sss’

Altogether – ah ke mah sh te oh me de toe go zeye mah sss.

But, it is not said to everyone and there is a reason.

If someone has had some unfortunate experience the previous year – a death, loss of a job, failed entrance exam, business failure and so on, they will not be greeted with Happy New Year.

The first part of the greeting – ah ke mah she te – means opening.

The last part – oh me de toe go zeye mah sue – means congratulations.

The literal meaning of the greeting – a new year has opened up and no ill has befallen you in the previous year, congratulations on making it to this year.

Or – congratulations on surviving last year.

Thus…something bad the previous year, means congratulatory remarks are not fitting.

So, what do you say?

Answer – nothing.