Japanese word

忘年会

Pronunciation

Romajibōnenkai

Meaning

  • nounyear-end party

Example

会社で忘年会をします。kai sha de bō nen kai o shi ma su

We have a year-end party at work.

Illustration for 忘年会 (year-end party)

More examples

忘年会では、普段話さない人とも交流できます。bō nen kai de wa fu dan hana sa na i hito to mo kō ryū de ki ma su

At a year-end party, you can socialize with people you do not usually talk to.

Core concept

忘年会 (bōnenkai) brings people together at year's end to put the past year's effort and difficulties behind them.

Common phrases

  • 忘年会をするbō nen kai o su ru

    have a year-end party

  • 忘年会に参加するbō nen kai ni san ka su ru

    attend a year-end party

  • 忘年会を開くbō nen kai o hira ku

    hold a year-end party

  • 忘年会の幹事bō nen kai no kan ji

    year-end party organizer

Similar words

年忘れtoshiwasure: A literary expression for a celebration held at year's end to mark the passing of the old year.
納会nōkai: A year-end gathering that marks the completion of work or business, often within an organization.

Definition in Japanese

年末に人々が集まり、その年の労をねぎらいながら過ごす宴会。nen matsu ni hito bito ga atsu ma ri so no toshi no rō o ne gi ra i na ga ra su go su en kai

Word origin

忘年会 (bōnenkai) uses the on-readings 忘 (bō, "forget"), 年 (nen, "year"), and 会 (kai, "meeting"), and the first two characters express putting the year's troubles behind the group.

Usage tips

  • The word 忘年会 (bōnenkai) can refer to a small dinner among friends as well as a large company event, because the shared year-end purpose matters more than the size or setting.

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