お誕生日おめでとう
otanjōbi omedetō
To say "happy birthday to you" in Japanese, use お誕生日おめでとう (otanjōbi omedetō).
This phrase is a common greeting used to wish someone well on the anniversary of their birth. In Japan, the English phrase "Happy Birthday" is also frequently used as a loanword, written in katakana as ハッピーバースデー, particularly when singing the birthday song.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ございます to the end of おめでとう makes the birthday greeting polite and formal.
How do you pronounce it?
otanjōbi omedetō
Did you know?
- While Westerners celebrate on the day they were born, traditional Japanese culture often celebrates 'Kazoedoshi', where everyone turns a year older on New Year's Day regardless of their actual birth date.
- The word おめでとう comes from the verb めでたい, which describes something that is joyful or auspicious.
- In Japan, the word おめでとう is used for any celebration or congratulation, whether it is a birthday, a wedding or a promotion.
Examples in context
- お誕生日おめでとうございます。Happy birthday to you!This sentence is useful for showing how to say Happy birthday to you! using the form お誕生日おめでとう.Tatoeba #226885 by tommy_san, translation #64233 by shekitten
- お誕生日おめでとう！Otanjoubi omedetou!Happy birthday!
- 妹に、お誕生日おめでとうと言った。Imouto ni, otanjoubi omedetou to itta.I said happy birthday to my younger sister.
Example conversation
Misaki greets Youta on his birthday at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、お誕生日おめでとう！Youta-kun, otanjoubi omedetou!Happy birthday, Youta!
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、美咲さん。Arigatou, Misaki-san.Thank you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki素敵な一年になりますように。Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu you ni.I hope you have a wonderful year.
- 陽太 Yotaそうですね、頑張ります！Sou desu ne, ganbarimasu!I hope so, I'll do my best!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
