あなたは私を幸せにします
anata wa watashi o shiawase ni shimasu
The English phrase "you make me happy" is expressed in Japanese as あなたは私を幸せにします (anata wa watashi o shiawase ni shimasu).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they bring joy or happiness into your life. In Japanese, it is often more natural to omit the subject anata (you) and the object watashi (me) if the context of the conversation makes it clear who is being affected.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from shiawase (happiness) and the causative form of suru (to do/make), literally meaning to make into happiness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a romantic or close relationship, the formal anata wa watashi o… is often replaced with more natural, casual pronouns and the kureru verb to imply the person is doing this for you, such as in the phrase 君は僕を幸せにしてくれる.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the default form uses ni shimasu, the causative form ni saseru (as in 幸せにさせる) can also be used to express making someone feel a certain way.
How do you pronounce it?
anata wa watashi o shiawase ni shimasu
Did you know?
- The word shiawase is composed of characters meaning 'fortune' and 'absence of disaster'. Historically, happiness was viewed not as a positive gain but as the state of having no misfortunes.
- In many romantic relationships, Japanese partners avoid saying you make me happy directly. Instead, they might use indirect phrases like thanks for being with me to convey the same feeling.
- If you use the pronoun anata to say 'you' in this phrase, it can actually sound quite distant or even cold. In a romantic context, it is much more common and intimate to use the person's name followed by a title like san instead of 'you'.
Examples in context
- 君がいるととても嬉しいI'm very happy when you are around.
Example conversation
A couple is talking during a quiet evening walk.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、いつもそばにいてくれてありがとう。Misaki, itsumo soba ni ite kurete arigatou.Misaki, thank you for always being by my side.
- 美咲 Misaki私の方こそ、ありがとう。Watashi no hou koso, arigatou.Thank you, too.
- 大翔 Hirotoあなたは私を幸せにします。Anata wa watashi o shiawase ni shimasu.You make me happy.
- 美咲 Misaki嬉しいです。私も幸せです。Ureshii desu. Watashi mo shiawase desu.I'm glad. I am happy too.
