七夕おめでとう
tanabata omedetou
The English phrase "happy tanabata" is translated into Japanese as 七夕おめでとう (tanabata omedetou).
This phrase is a greeting used to wish someone a happy Tanabata festival.
How do you pronounce it?
tanabata omedetou
Did you know?
- In some regions, people eat somen noodles during the festival because the thin white strands resemble the Milky Way galaxy.
- The tradition of writing wishes for 七夕 is unique because you are traditionally supposed to ask for a skill to be mastered rather than just general luck.
- The phrase relates to a legend involving the stars Vega and Altair, which are personified in Japanese culture as two lovers separated by the Milky Way.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at bamboo decorations.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、七夕おめでとう！yota-kun, tanabata omedetou!Happy Tanabata, Yota!
- 陽太 Yota結衣ちゃんも、七夕おめでとう。yui-chan mo, tanabata omedetou.Happy Tanabata to you too, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui短冊に願い事を書いた？tanzaku ni negaigoto o kaita?Did you write a wish on a paper strip?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、さっき書いたよ。un, sakki kaita yo.Yeah, I wrote it a little while ago.
