私の誕生日がいつか
watashi no tanjōbi ga itsu ka
The English phrase "when my birthday is" is expressed in Japanese as 私の誕生日がいつか (watashi no tanjōbi ga itsu ka).
This phrase is used to refer to the date on which a person was born. It functions as a noun clause that must be integrated into a larger sentence, such as "I don't know when my birthday is" (私の誕生日がいつか分からない). To specify a month, you use the word gatsu after the number and to include the day of the month, you can use nichi or ka.
How does it change in a sentence?
私の誕生日がいつか is a noun clause. It is used as a component within a larger sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi no tanjōbi ga itsu ka
Did you know?
- In Japan, the concept of age is traditionally tied to kazoedoshi, where a person is considered one year old at birth and gains a year every New Year's Day regardless of their actual 誕生日.
- The word 誕生日 contains the character 生 'sei', which is also found in 先生 'sensei' 'teacher', as both relate to the idea of giving or possessing life and knowledge.
- The word for 'birthday', tanjōbi, contains the character for 'birth' and 'celebrate', but in formal or highly respectful settings, such as when addressing a superior, you might use the honorific term otanjōbi.
Examples in context
- 私の誕生日がいつか、忘れてしまいました。Watashi no tanjoubi ga itsu ka, wasurete shimaimashita.I have forgotten when my birthday is.
- 私の誕生日がいつか、確認したいです。Watashi no tanjoubi ga itsu ka, kakunin shitai desu.I want to confirm when my birthday is.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a calendar together.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、私の誕生日がいつか覚えてる？Hiroto-kun, watashi no tanjōbi ga itsu ka oboeteru?Hiroto, do you remember when my birthday is?
- 大翔 Hirotoええと、来月だったかな。Eeto, raigetsu datta kana.Uh, was it next month?
- 陽葵 Himari正解！よく覚えてたね。Seikai! Yoku oboeteta ne.Correct! You remembered it well.
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろん忘れないよ。Mochiron wasurenai yo.Of course I wouldn't forget.
