年始（ねんし、nenshi）
- start of the year

The word 年始 (年始, *nenshi*) refers to the beginning of the year, specifically the period around the New Year's holiday in Japan. It encompasses the first few days of January, including New Year's Day (元旦, *gantan*). It's a time for new beginnings, celebrations, and various traditional customs. The term often implies the spirit of the new year and the activities associated with it. 年始 can also refer to the beginning of something new in a broader sense, but it is primarily associated with the start of the year.

⚫︎ 年始の挨拶 Translation: New Year's greetings ⚫︎ 年始の準備をする Translation: To prepare for the New Year ⚫︎ 会社は年始から営業を開始する Translation: The company starts business operations from the beginning of the year.

This word is used to discuss events, activities, and periods of time related to the start of the new year. It's common in formal and informal conversations, written communication, and announcements. You'll hear it frequently around the end of December and the beginning of January. You can use it when talking about New Year's holidays, new year's resolution, or events that take place at the beginning of the year, such as the company starting its operations.

年始 is typically written using the kanji 年 (year) and 始 (beginning). The reading is ねんし (年始) in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is not used, since 年始 is a compound word using kanji.

There are no perfect synonyms. Some related terms include: ⚫︎ 正月 (*shougatsu*) - New Year's, the month of January ⚫︎ 元旦 (*gantan*) - New Year's Day ⚫︎ 新年 (*shinnen*) - New Year ⚫︎ 年初 (*nenmatsu*): End of year (this is opposite)

⚫︎ 年末 (*nenmatsu*) - End of the year.

年始は家族と過ごすのが恒例です。 ・Translation: Spending the New Year with family is a tradition. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a common custom in Japan of spending 年始 with family.

今年の年始は旅行に行こうと思っています。 ・Translation: I am thinking of going on a trip this New Year. ・Explanation: This sentence expresses a plan to travel during the 年始 period.

The word 年始 is a compound word formed from the kanji 年, meaning "year," and 始, meaning "beginning" or "start." The combination logically signifies "the beginning of the year."