ハッピーバースデートゥーユー
Happī bāsudē tū yū
The English phrase "happy birthday song" is translated into Japanese as ハッピーバースデートゥーユー (Happī bāsudē tū yū).
This phrase refers to the traditional song sung to celebrate a person's birthday.
How do you pronounce it?
Happī bāsudē tū yū
Did you know?
- Despite the popularity of the English song, traditional Japanese birthday celebrations historically did not involve singing a specific song to the individual.
- If you wanted to say 'happy birthday' as a greeting rather than a song, you would use お誕生日おめでとう (otanjōbi omedetō) instead of the English-derived song title.
- In Japan, it is common to use the English phrase 'Happy Birthday' even in formal settings where Japanese usually takes precedence, because the English version feels more 'festive'.
Examples in context
- ハッピーバースデートゥーユーを歌いましょう。Happī bāsudē tū yū o utaimashō.Let's sing the happy birthday song.
- ハッピーバースデートゥーユーのメロディは簡単です。Happī bāsudē tū yū no merodi wa kantan desu.The happy birthday song melody is easy.
- みんなでハッピーバースデートゥーユーを歌いました。Minna de Happī bāsudē tū yū o utaimashita.Everyone sang the happy birthday song together.
Example conversation
Hina and Ren are preparing a cake for a friend's birthday party.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、ケーキを運んで！Ren-kun, kēki o hakondeRen, bring the cake!
- 蓮 Renいいよ。曲を歌う？ii yo. kyoku o utauSure. Should we sing a song?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、ハッピーバースデートゥーユーを歌おう！un, happī bāsudē tū yū o utaōYes, let's sing the happy birthday song!
- 蓮 Ren賛成。準備してね。sansei. junbi shite neI agree. Get ready.
