Christmas Vocabulary in Japanese and Silent Night きよしこの夜

Christmas in Japan

Christmas in Japan, known as クリスマス, is a fascinating blend of Western traditions and Japanese culture. Although not a national holiday, it's celebrated with much enthusiasm and its own unique customs.

In Japan, Christmas is more of a commercial and romantic holiday than a religious one. Couples often go out for dinner and exchange gifts. Christmas Eve is considered the most romantic night of the year, akin to Valentine's Day in other countries. From Christmas illuminations to special holiday treats, the season is embraced with a distinctly Japanese flair.

Before we get into the language of クリスマス in Japan, let’s hit a few cultural items.

Christmas Culture in Japan

• Commercial and Romantic Holiday: Unlike in the West, Christmas in Japan is not a religious holiday; instead, it's largely commercial and romantic. Couples treat it similarly to Valentine's Day, enjoying romantic dinners and exchanging gifts.
• Christmas Eve: This is often more celebrated than Christmas Day itself. It's a time for romantic dates, special events, and family gatherings. Many young couples view Christmas Eve as the most romantic night of the year, akin to a second Valentine's Day.
• KFC Christmas: Perhaps one of the most unique traditions is the custom of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yes, you read that right. This tradition began in the 1970s due to a highly successful marketing campaign "Kentucky for Christmas!" (クリスマスにはケンタッキー!) and has persisted ever since. Families often order their buckets months in advance to avoid long lines.
• Christmas Cake: Another popular tradition is eating Christmas cake, usually a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream. It's a symbol of the season and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
• Decorations and Illuminations: Cities and homes are adorned with Christmas lights and decorations. Spectacular illumination events are held throughout the country, turning parks and gardens into winter wonderlands.
• Gift-Giving: While not as extensive as in Western cultures, exchanging gifts is common, especially among couples and families with children. It's also a time when corporations often give bonenkai (忘年会(ぼうねんかい), year-forgetting parties) and gifts to employees.

Now, let’s take a look at some Christmas related Japanese greetings and vocabulary.

Christmas Vocabulary in Japanese

クリスマス

kurisumasu
Christmas

メリークリスマス

meri- kurisumasu
Merry Christmas

メリクリ

meri kuri
Merry Christmas

良(よ)いクリスマスを！

yoi kurisumasu o!
Have a good Christmas

聖誕祭(せいたんさい)

seitansai
Christmas; holy birthday
[聖 (holy) + 誕 (be born; nativity) + 祭 (feast; festival; celebrate; ritual)]

降誕祭(こうたんさい)

koutansai
Christmas; nativity
[降 (descend; fall; come down) + 誕 (be born; nativity) + 祭 (feast; festival; celebrate; ritual)]

聖歌(せいか)

seika
hymn; sacred song; chant
[聖 (holy) + 歌 (song)]

クリスマスキャロル

kurisumasu kyaroru
Christmas carol

クリスマスソング

kurisumasu songu
Christmas carol (song)

聖夜(せいや)

seiya
holy night; Christmas Eve
[聖 (holy) + 夜 (night; evening)]

クリスマスツリー

kurisumasu tsuri-
Christmas tree

賢者(けんじゃ)の贈(おく)り物(もの )

kenja no okuri mono
gifts of the wise men
[賢 (intelligent; wise) + 者 (person; someone) + 贈り (presents; send; give to) + 物 (thing; object); this is also the title of O. Henry's short story, The Gift of the Magi]

天使(てんし)

tenshi
angel
[天 (heaven) + 使 (messenger)]

教会(きょうかい)

kyoukai
church

トナカイ

tonakai
reindeer

イルミネーション

irumine-shon
lights; illumination

Before we get to "Silent Night" in Japanese, how about a few phrases you can use in Japanese?

今年(ことし)のクリスマスツリーはとてもきれいですね。

This year's Christmas tree is very beautiful, isn't it?

サンタクロースにプレゼントをもらいましたか？

Did you receive a present from Santa Claus?

And lastly…

クリスマスの準備(じゅんび)はもうできましたか？

Are you ready for Christmas?

Now that we have studied a few important Christmas vocabulary in Japanese, let's learn how to sing (or say) Silent Night in Japanese.

Silent Night in Japanese

JAPANESE VOCABULARY

• きよし (清(きよ)し) pure; clean [Classical form of 清(きよ)い, often used in old texts or lyrics]
• この this
• 夜(よる) night [The phrase "きよしこの夜" is a direct reference to the title of the Christmas carol "Silent Night" in Japanese, translating literally to "This Pure Night" or more contextually as "Silent Night."]
• 星(ほし) star
• は as for (topic marker)
• ひかり light; shine [from the verb 光(ひか)る, to shine or to glitter; this phrase means "The star shines" or "Star of light.”]
• 救(すく)い salvation; rescue
• 御子(みこ) (honorable) child; son [御(み) is an honorific prefix; this phrase "救(すく)いの御子(みこ)" refers to the "Savior's child" or "Child of salvation," referring to Jesus.]
• まぶね crib; manger
• なか inside; middle
• に (target/location particle) [The phrase "まぶねのなかに" translates to "In the manger" or "Inside the crib," commonly found in narratives or texts related to the Nativity scene.]
• ねむり sleep; slumber [noun form of 眠(ねむ)る, to sleep]
• たもう (archaic or poetic expression) to let; to allow; to have someone do something [The phrase "ねむりたもう" is a classical or poetic expression meaning "Let [someone] sleep" or "Is allowed to sleep."]
• いと very; extremely [an archaic or literary form of "very," often seen in classical Japanese]
• 安(やす)く peacefully; comfortably; easily [adverbial form of 安(やす)い, peaceful or cheap; the phrase "いと安(やす)く" can be translated as "Very peacefully" or "Most comfortably," often used in literary or poetic contexts to describe a state of peace or comfort.]

Want another Christmas-related song in Japanese? See our lesson page on Kissin' Christmas by clicking here.