Learning how to say when you were born in Japanese is not only useful for personal introductions but also for getting to know others on a deeper level. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to express your birthdate in Japanese. From basic structures and vocabulary to regional variations, we will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of discussing birthdates in Japanese conversation. So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When it comes to formal situations, it’s important to use appropriate language and respectful expressions. Here are some phrases and structures to use when sharing your birthdate formally:
申し訳ありませんが、私の生年月日はYYYY年MM月DD日です。
Moushiwake arimasen ga, watashi no seinen-gappi wa YYYY nen MM getsu DD nichi desu.
I’m sorry, but my birthdate is YYYY/MM/DD.
In this formal expression, you can replace “YYYY年MM月DD日” with the four-digit year, two-digit month, and two-digit day of your birth. For example, if you were born on May 15, 1990, you would say “私の生年月日は1990年05月15日です” (watashi no seinen-gappi wa 1990 nen 05 getsu 15 nichi desu).
Another useful phrase to remember is:
生まれた年月日はいつですか。
Umareta toshigetsumetsuwa itsu desu ka?
When were you born?
This phrase allows you to ask someone about their birthdate in a polite and formal manner, using the verb “生まれる” (umareru), meaning “to be born”.
Informal Expressions
In informal situations, such as conversations with friends or family members, you can use more casual expressions to discuss your birthdate. Here are some examples:
俺の誕生日はYYYY年MM月DD日だよ。
Ore no tanjoubi wa YYYY nen MM getsu DD nichi da yo.
My birthday is YYYY/MM/DD.
This informal expression follows a similar structure to the previous one, but uses the pronoun “俺” (ore), meaning “I” in a casual context, instead of the more formal “私” (watashi).
誕生日は何月？
Tanjoubi wa nan gatsu?
Which month is your birthday?
In this casual question, you are asking about someone’s birth month without explicitly mentioning the year and day.
Additional Tips
Now that we’ve covered the basic expressions, here are some additional tips to enhance your understanding and usage of birthdate-related vocabulary in Japanese:
1. Counting Years
When counting years in Japanese, the counter word “歳” (sai) is commonly used. For example:
私は30歳です。
Watashi wa sanjuu sai desu.
I am 30 years old.
Remember that the counter word “歳” is added after the number to indicate age.
2. Birth Year Vocabulary
If you want to discuss only the year without mentioning the specific birthdate, you can use the following phrases:
- “今年生まれた” (kotoshi umareta) – Born this year
- “去年生まれた” (kyonen umareta) – Born last year
- “１０年前生まれた” (juunen mae umareta) – Born ten years ago
3. Regional Variations
While Japan primarily uses the Gregorian calendar, there are regional variations based on traditional Japanese eras. These eras are defined by the reigning emperor at the time. For example, the Heisei era lasted from 1989 to 2019. In such cases, people may choose to use both the Gregorian and traditional era name to express their birthdate. However, it is uncommon to encounter these variations in everyday conversations with non-native Japanese speakers.
Conclusion
Celebrating birthdays and sharing birthdates are important aspects of social interactions. With the formal and informal expressions provided in this guide, you are now equipped to confidently discuss your birthdate in Japanese. Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the situation, and feel free to explore additional phrases and vocabulary to further enhance your communication skills. Happy learning and best of luck in your Japanese language journey!
