What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 少し早いけど誕生日おめでとう literally means 'It is a little early, but happy birthday'.
Which one should you use?
Other forms exist depending on the level of politeness required. For a polite tone, you can use 少し早いですが、お誕生日おめでとうございます or 早めにお誕生日おめでとうございます。 For very formal situations, you might use お誕生日をお先にお祝い申し上げます。 In an informal setting, you can also say お誕生日が早いけど、おめでとう！
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 少し早いけど誕生日おめでとう is informal and used with friends or peers. For more polite interactions, use 少し早いですが、お誕生日おめでとうございます or 早めにお誕生日おめでとうございます。 For high-level formal situations, the phrase お誕生日をお先にお祝い申し上げます。 is appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 少し早いけど誕生日おめでとう, the particle kedo is a colloquial way to say 'but' and connects the 'early' part to the 'birthday' part.
How do you pronounce it?
sukoshi hayai kedo tanjōbi omedetō
Did you know?
- The word omedetō is derived from the verb omedetai, which historically described the feeling of being relieved that a stressful event ended well.
- The particle けど (kedo) used in the phrase acts as a conversational buffer. In Japanese culture, softening a statement with a 'but' helps avoid being too blunt or direct when making an assertion.
- In modern Japanese youth culture, the English 'Happy Birthday' is often written in katakana as ハッピーバースデー and used as a trendy alternative to the traditional phrase.
Examples in context
- 少し早いけど誕生日おめでとう！sukoshi hayai kedo tanjoubi omedetou!A bit early, but happy birthday!
- 少し早いけど誕生日おめでとう、プレゼントだよ。sukoshi hayai kedo tanjoubi omedetou, purezento dayo.A bit early, but happy birthday, here is a present.
- 少し早いけど誕生日おめでとうと言いたかったんだ。sukoshi hayai kedo tanjoubi omedetou to iitakatta nda.I wanted to say happy birthday, even if it's a bit early.
Example conversation
Yui gives Kenta a small gift at his office a few days before his birthday.
- 結衣 Yui少し早いけど誕生日おめでとう、健太くん。sukoshi hayai kedo tanjoubi omedetou, Kenta-kun.A bit early, but happy birthday, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaえ、ありがとう！すごく嬉しいよ。E, arigatou! Sugoku ureshii yo.Oh, thank you! I'm so happy.
- 結衣 Yuiこれ、ささやかなプレゼントです。Kore, sasayaka na purezento desu.This is a small present for you.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、本当にありがとう。Yui-san, hontou ni arigatou.Yui, thank you so much.
