誕生日おめでとう、お姉ちゃん
tanjoubi omedetou, oneechan
To say "happy birthday sister" in Japanese, use 誕生日おめでとう、お姉ちゃん (tanjoubi omedetou, oneechan).
This phrase is used as a greeting to wish an older sister a happy birthday.
Which one should you use?
The term お姉ちゃん (oneechan) specifically refers to an older sister and is not used for a younger sister.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a highly formal or respectful tone, you would use お姉様 (oneesama) instead of お姉ちゃん.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form おめでとう (omedetou) is the casual version of "congratulations".
How do you pronounce it?
tanjoubi omedetou, oneechan
Did you know?
- In many Japanese households, even after reaching adulthood, siblings will continue to call their older sister by her title rather than using her actual name.
- The word お姉ちゃん can be used to address a girl or woman who is not your biological sister, such as an older female student or a close family friend.
- The 'chan' in お姉ちゃん is an honorific suffix that actually diminishes the formality of the word, turning a respectful title into an affectionate one.
Examples in context
- お誕生日おめでとうございます、お姉さんHappy Birthday, sister
- 誕生日おめでとう、お姉ちゃん。プレゼントだよ。tanjoubi omedetou, oneechan. purezento da yo.Happy birthday, sister. Here is your present.
Example conversation
Kenta gives a gift to his older sister Himari at home.
- 健太 Kenta誕生日おめでとう、お姉ちゃん。tanjoubi omedetou, oneechan.Happy birthday, big sister.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、健太！arigatou, kenta!Thank you, Kenta!
- 健太 Kentaこれ、プレゼント。kore, purezento.This is your present.
- 陽葵 Himariわあ、嬉しい！waa, ureshii!Wow, I'm so happy!
