ぼうねんかい
"Bonenkai", Year-End Party
「ぼうねんかい」ってなに?
12月になると、日本では年を越すための準備、年末の行事、この時期ならではの習慣がたくさんあります。
まずは、忘年会。
「1年間 お疲れさまでした。」
「また来年も新しい気持ちでがんばろう、よろしくお願いします。」
という意味をこめる、いつもよりも盛大な飲み会です。
仕事だけでなく、仲の良い友達や仲間とも何度もあったりするので、
体調を崩さないよう、注意してください。
(だからこの時期にウコンの宣伝が増えるようです!)
特に12月の週末は、レストランや居酒屋は忘年会の予約で埋まってしまうので、
外食の計画は早めに立てます。
でも、今年はコロナでオンライン忘年会などがはやりそうですね。
There are many traditions and end of year events in December,
so in Japan, you can say that it’s the busiest time of the year.
(It’s not only about buying Christmas presents!)
Firstly, there’s “Bonen-kai”.
It is like an end of year party which literally means “to forget the year party”.
Its purpose is to forget about the troubles and bad memories of that year
and hope for the good things in the year to come.
It’s bigger than the usual “nomi-kai”, or the drink and dinner parties,
and you may go few times in December with your friends and colleagues.
Remember to look after yourself during this season.
(It’s probably why there are many ads of turmeric tablets/drinks especially around this time of the year to protect your liver!)
Also, remember to book a restaurant well in advance if you plan for a dinner out, especially the weekends,
as it may be fully booked with bonen-kai.
This year may be a bit different though, due to Covid-19, perhaps with on-line bonen-kai being planned instead.