ハッピーホリデーズ
happī horidēzu
To say "happy holidays" in Japanese, you can use ハッピーホリデーズ (happī horidēzu) or 楽しい休日.
Meaning: holiday greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| ハッピーホリデーズ | happī horidēzu |
| 楽しい休日 | tanoshī kyūjitsu |
The phrase is used as a holiday greeting. In Japan, because there is no widespread tradition of a broad "Happy Holidays" season as seen in Western countries, people are much more likely to say メリークリスマス (Merry Christmas) during the winter season.
Which one should you use?
ハッピーホリデーズ is a katakana version that acts as a direct loanword from English. It is commonly used in commercial settings or on greeting cards.
How do you pronounce it?
happī horidēzu
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'happy holidays' to be inclusive of various celebrations, a Japanese person saying 楽しい休日 might be interpreted as literally wishing you a 'pleasant day off' from work rather than a seasonal greeting.
- If you want to wish someone a restful break during the New Year holidays, you would use 良いお年を (yoi otoshi o) instead of a direct translation of 'happy holidays'.
- The English phrase 'Happy Holidays' is often used in Japanese marketing to create a 'Westernized' and 'stylish' atmosphere, even if the phrase itself is grammatically awkward in a Japanese sentence.
Examples in context
- メリークリスマス！良い休日を過ごしてくださいMerry Christmas! Enjoy your holidays.
- 太郎さん、よいお正月をお迎えくださいTarō, have a great New Year.
Example conversation
Two friends are saying goodbye before their winter break.
- 大翔 Hirotoもうすぐ休みだね。ハッピーホリデーズ！Mou sugu yasumi da ne. Happii horideezu!Vacation is almost here. Happy holidays!
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう！大翔くんもね。Arigatou! Hiroto-kun mo ne.Thanks! Happy holidays to you too, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto休暇中にどこかへ行くの？Kyuuka chuu ni dokoka e iku no?Are you going anywhere during the break?
- 陽葵 Himari実家に帰るつもりだよ。Jikka ni kaeru tsumori da yo.I plan to go back to my parents' house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy holidays” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
