Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| プレゼント | purezento | [pɯ̟ɾe̞zẽ̞nto̞] (narrow) |
| 贈り物 | okurimono | [o̞kɯ̟ɾʲimo̞no̞] (narrow) |
| 贈答品 | zōtōhin | [d͡zo̞ːto̞ːçĩɴ] (narrow) |
| ギフト | gifuto | [ɡʲiɸɯ̟̊to̞] (narrow) |
| 進物 | shinmotsu | [ɕĩmːo̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 礼物 | reimotsu | [ɾe̞ːmo̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) [ɾe̞ːbɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
All these terms refer to something given to another voluntarily without charge. プレゼント is the standard way to refer to birthday or Christmas presents in daily conversation. 贈り物 is used for more formal or literary purposes, while ギフト is frequently seen in commercial or retail contexts, such as for 'gift sets' or 'gift cards'.
Which one should you use?
While all these words mean gift, プレゼント is the most common word for personal gifts between friends or family, whereas 贈り物 is more formal and literary. 贈答品 is a specific term for gifts exchanged in business or formal social settings, such as seasonal gift-giving. ギフト is typically used in marketing and commercial settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
贈り物 is more formal and literary. For even higher politeness, you can add the honorific o to the front of 贈り物 to make it o-okurimono. 贈答品 is used in highly formal business or social settings, and ギフト is common in retail and marketing contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
purezento
Did you know?
- In very formal contexts, a person may modestly describe their own 贈り物 as tsumaranai mono, which literally translates to 'a boring thing'.
- In Japan, the act of giving a 贈り物 often requires a reciprocal gift of roughly equal value, known as okaeshi, to maintain social harmony.
- During specific seasons, such as mid-year and year-end, the practice of exchanging 贈答品 becomes a standardized social obligation called 'Ochugen' and 'Oseibo'.
Examples in context
- プレゼントがあるんだ。I have a gift for you.The sentence is useful for stating that you have a gift for someone using プレゼント.Tatoeba #1323419 by bunbuku, translation #2358723 by CK
- 贈り物としても最適です。This is also ideal as a gift.The sentence is useful for describing something as being ideal as a gift using 贈り物.Tatoeba #140225 by small_snow, translation #274348 by CM
- プレゼントをありがとう。Thank you for your gift.The sentence is useful for thanking someone for their gift using プレゼント.Tatoeba #196918 by small_snow, translation #750992 by sano
- 友達の誕生日にプレゼントをあげました。I gave a gift to my friend for their birthday.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui gives a birthday present to Hiroto.
- 結衣 Yui大翔にプレゼントをあげるね。Hiroto ni purezento o ageru ne.I'm giving a present to you, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoえっ、プレゼント？いいの？E, purezento? Ii no?What, a present? Are you sure?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、誕生日のお祝いだよ。Un, tanjōbi no oiwai dayo.Yeah, it's a birthday celebration.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう！嬉しいよ。Arigatō! Ureshii yo.Thank you! I'm so happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gift” translations and entries プレゼント, 贈り物, 贈答品, ギフト, 進物, 礼物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
