ご結婚おめでとうございます
gokekkon omedetō gozaimasu
The English phrase "happy wedding" is expressed in Japanese as ご結婚おめでとうございます (gokekkon omedetō gozaimasu).
This phrase is used to congratulate a couple on their marriage. While it translates to a congratulatory sentiment, note that it is used as a statement of congratulations rather than a direct greeting like "Happy Wedding" is used in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of go (an honorific prefix), kekkon (marriage), omedetō (congratulations) and gozaimasu (a polite verb).
Which one should you use?
The phrase 結婚おめでとう！ is the informal version of the sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping gozaimasu from the end of the phrase makes it informal.
How do you pronounce it?
gokekkon omedetō gozaimasu
Did you know?
- When giving money as a wedding gift, it is customary to use a brand new bill and wrap it in a special decorative envelope called a shugibukuro, as creases on the money are considered bad luck.
- Avoid using words that imply 'cutting' or 'splitting', such as kiru (to cut), when congratulating a couple, as these are seen as omens that the marriage will be severed.
- In traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies, the bride may wear a shiromuku, a heavy white kimono that symbolizes her willingness to be dyed in the colors of her new husband's family.
Examples in context
- 田中さんと山田さん、結婚おめでとうございます！Tanaka-san and Yamada-san, congratulations on your wedding!
- 末永くお幸せに！Wishing you lasting happiness!
- ご結婚おめでとうございます。Go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu.Congratulations on your marriage.
- お二人のご結婚おめでとうございます。Ofutari no go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu.Congratulations to the two of you on your marriage.
- 改めて、ご結婚おめでとうございます！Aratamete, go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu!Once again, congratulations on your marriage!
Example conversation
Misaki meets Yota at a wedding reception to congratulate him.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、ご結婚おめでとうございます。Youta-san, go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu.Yota, congratulations on your marriage.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。美咲さんも来てくれて嬉しいです。Arigatou gozaimasu. Misaki-san mo kite kurete ureshii desu.Thank you. I am happy you came too, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiとても素敵な式ですね。Totemo suteki na shiki desu ne.It is a very lovely ceremony, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、本当に最高な一日です。Hai, hontou ni saiko na ichinichi desu.Yes, it is truly a wonderful day.
