ずっと幸せでいてね
zutto shiawase de itene
To say "stay happy" in Japanese, you say ずっと幸せでいてね (zutto shiawase de itene).
The phrase ずっと幸せでいてね is used to express a sincere wish for someone's future well-being. It is a common expression found in heartfelt letters, cards or during emotional farewells.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into zutto (always/continuously), shiawase (happiness), de ite (to be in a state of) and ne (a particle used to seek agreement or add softness).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ずっと幸せでいてね is a casual and warm expression, making it suitable for friends, family or partners. For more formal situations, such as weddings or formal farewells, you can use お幸せに, where the o prefix adds extra politeness. At weddings specifically, it is common to use 末永くお幸せに to wish a couple lasting happiness.
How do you pronounce it?
zutto shiawase de itene
When do people say it?
When wishing someone happiness in a casual setting, you might also use 幸せでいてね to friendlily tell them to stay happy or 楽しく過ごしてね to encourage them to enjoy their life and have fun.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the concept of happiness is split between 幸せ ('shiawase'), which is a deep, lasting state of being, and 嬉しい ('ureshii'), which is a momentary feeling of joy.
- While 'happiness' in English is often an internal feeling, the Japanese word 幸せ (shiawase) is rooted in the idea of being 'blessed' or 'lucky'. It suggests that your happiness is a gift from the universe or fate rather than something you create entirely by yourself.
- The phrase ずっと幸せでいてね can sound overly heavy or dramatic in a casual conversation and is more typically reserved for life-changing events like moving away or breaking up.
Examples in context
- ずっと幸せでいてね。Zutto shiawase de ite ne.Stay happy always.
- これからもずっと幸せでいてね。Kore kara mo zutto shiawase de ite ne.Please stay happy from now on, too.
- 家族みんな、ずっと幸せでいてね。Kazoku minna, zutto shiawase de ite ne.I hope your whole family stays happy.
Example conversation
Two friends are saying goodbye before one moves away.
- 陽葵 Himari健太、今までありがとう。ずっと幸せでいてね。Kenta, ima made arigato. Zutto shiawase de itene.Kenta, thank you for everything. Stay happy, okay?
- 健太 Kenta陽葵こそ、ずっと幸せでいてね。Himari koso, zutto shiawase de itene.You too, Himari, stay happy.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。またいつか会おうね。Arigato. Mata itsuka aou ne.Thank you. Let's meet again someday.
- 健太 Kentaうん、元気でね！Un, genki de ne!Yeah, take care!
