おばあちゃん、お誕生日おめでとう
obāchan, otanjōbi omedetō
The English phrase "happy birthday grandma" is translated into Japanese as おばあちゃん、お誕生日おめでとう (obāchan, otanjōbi omedetō).
This phrase is a greeting used to wish a grandmother a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The term for birthday, お誕生日, includes the honorific prefix o to show respect to the person celebrating.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term おばあちゃん is an affectionate and informal way to address a grandmother, whereas obāsan would be more standard or polite.
How do you pronounce it?
obāchan, otanjōbi omedetō
Did you know?
- Japanese culture often emphasizes the 'kanreki' birthday, the 60th anniversary of one's birth. This is seen as a 'rebirth' and is traditionally celebrated with the person wearing a red vest and hood.
- Depending on the length of the vowel, おばあさん means 'grandmother' while おばさん means 'aunt'. Mistaking the long 'aa' for a short 'a' can accidentally turn a greeting for a grandmother into one for an aunt.
- Unlike English, where 'Grandma' is a name, in Japanese, 'obāchan' can function almost like a title or a role. Even people who are not related to you might use it to address an elderly woman in a friendly shop or street setting.
Examples in context
- おばあちゃん、お誕生日おめでとう。いつもありがとう。Obaachan, otanjoubi omedetou. Itsumo arigatou.Happy birthday, grandma. Thank you for everything.
- おばあちゃん、お誕生日おめでとう！元気でいてね。Obaachan, otanjoubi omedetou! Genki de ite ne.Happy birthday, grandma! Please stay healthy.
Example conversation
Two grandchildren are giving a present to their grandmother.
- 大翔 Hirotoおばあちゃん、お誕生日おめでとう！Obaachan, otanjoubi omedetou!Happy birthday, Grandma!
- 結衣 Yui私も！お誕生日おめでとう！Watashi mo! Otanjoubi omedetou!Me too! Happy birthday!
- 大翔 Hirotoこれ、プレゼントだよ。Kore, purezento dayo.This is a present for you.
- 結衣 Yuiわあ、ありがとう！Waa, arigatou!Wow, thank you!
