Birthdays are special occasions all around the world, and Japan is no exception. Whether you are celebrating the birthday of a friend, family member, or colleague, it’s always thoughtful to express your well wishes in their language. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to say birthday wishes in Japanese, providing you with various tips and examples to help you convey your warmest sentiments. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Birthday Wishes in Japanese
When addressing someone in a formal manner or showing respect to someone of higher status, such as a supervisor or an elder, the following phrases can be used.
1. お誕生日おめでとうございます。
(Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu.)
Translation: Happy birthday to you.2. いつもお世話になっております。お誕生日おめでとうございます。
(Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu. Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu.)
Translation: Thank you for always taking care of me. Happy birthday to you.3. 末永くお幸せに。
(Suenagaku oshiawase ni.)
Translation: May you have everlasting happiness.
When using these formal phrases, it is important to include the honorific prefixes “お” (o-) or “ご” (go-) before “誕生日” (tanjoubi) to show respect. Additionally, closing your wishes with expressions such as “お幸せに” (o-shiawase ni) adds an extra touch of goodwill.
Informal Birthday Wishes in Japanese
For close friends, family members, or those you have a more casual relationship with, informal birthday wishes are suitable. Here are some examples:
1. お誕生日おめでとう！
(Otanjoubi omedetou!)
Translation: Happy birthday!2. いつもありがとう！お誕生日おめでとう！
(Itsumo arigatou! Otanjoubi omedetou!)
Translation: Thank you always! Happy birthday!3. 幸せいっぱいの一年になりますように。
(Shiawase ippai no ichinen ni narimasu you ni.)
Translation: Wishing you a year full of happiness.
The informal birthday wishes allow for a more personal and affectionate tone, omitting the honorific prefixes while still conveying heartfelt congratulations.
Additional Tips for Birthday Wishes in Japanese
Here are some extra tips to enhance your birthday wishes:
- It is common to include the person’s name before the birthday wish, followed by “さん” (san), which is a polite way to address someone.
- Make sure to consider the formality of your relationship when choosing between formal and informal greetings.
- If you want to make your wishes even more personalized, you can add phrases like “健康でいてください” (kenkou de ite kudasai) – “Please stay healthy” or “夢が叶いますように” (yume ga kanaimasu you ni) – “May your dreams come true.”
- Accompanying your wishes with a small gift, such as a card or flowers, is always appreciated.
Remember, the most important thing is to show genuine care and consideration when congratulating someone on their birthday, and using these Japanese phrases can help you do just that.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to say birthday wishes in Japanese, both formally and informally, you can bring joy and warmth to those you celebrate with. Remember to select the appropriate level of formality based on your relationship, and don’t hesitate to add personal touches to make your wishes even more meaningful. Happy celebrating!
