- Casual: おたんじょうびおめでとう (otanjōbi omedetō).
- Polite: おたんじょうびおめでとうございます.
- Short and casual: たんじょうびおめでとう or simply おめでとう！
- Answer with ありがとう (thanks).
Happy birthday: casual and polite
- おたんじょうびおめでとうotanjōbi omedetōHappy birthday!Friends and family.
- おたんじょうびおめでとうございますotanjōbi omedetō gozaimasuHappy birthday! (polite)Colleagues, teachers, anyone older.
- たんじょうびおめでとうtanjōbi omedetōHappy birthday! (very casual)
- おめでとう！omedetō!Congratulations! / Happy birthday!
たんじょうび (誕生日) means birthday, and おめでとう means congratulations. The お at the front adds politeness.
Birthday wishes for cards and messages
- すてきないちねんになりますようにsuteki na ichinen ni narimasu yō niI hope you have a wonderful year.
- いつもありがとうitsumo arigatōThank you for always being there.
- これからもよろしくねkorekara mo yoroshiku neHere’s to many more (good times together).
- たのしいいちにちを！tanoshii ichinichi o!Have a great day!
- からだにきをつけてねkarada ni ki o tsukete neTake care of yourself.
Asking about birthdays
- たんじょうびはいつですかtanjōbi wa itsu desu kaWhen is your birthday?
- しがつとおかですshigatsu tōka desuIt’s April 10th.
- なんさいになりましたかnansai ni narimashita kaHow old did you turn?
- にじゅうごさいになりましたnijūgo-sai ni narimashitaI turned 25.
Dates use the special day readings from our guide to days and months, and ages use the counter さい from Japanese numbers.
How to answer
- ありがとう！arigatō!Thanks!
- ありがとうございます。うれしいですarigatō gozaimasu. ureshii desuThank you, I’m so happy.
Birthdays in Japan
- Birthday parties are celebrated much like in the West, often with a strawberry shortcake, Japan’s classic birthday cake.
- The birthday song is usually sung in English: Happy Birthday to You.
- Some ages have special celebrations, such as Shichi-Go-San (七五三) for children aged three, five and seven, held around November 15th.
Birthday gifts and parties
- プレゼントpurezentopresent, gift
- これ、プレゼントですkore, purezento desuThis is a present for you.
- あけてもいいですかakete mo ii desu kaMay I open it?
- わあ、うれしい！wā, ureshii!Wow, I’m so happy!
- たんじょうびパーティーtanjōbi pātībirthday party
- ケーキをきりましょうkēki o kirimashōLet’s cut the cake.
When you hand over a gift in Japan, it’s polite to use both hands. Traditionally people say つまらないものですが (it’s just a small thing) when giving gifts formally, but for birthdays among friends a simple おめでとう！これ、プレゼント is perfect.
Special ages in Japan
| Age | Celebration |
|---|---|
| 3, 5, 7 | しちごさん (七五三): children visit a shrine in traditional clothes around November 15th |
| 18 / 20 | せいじんのひ (Coming of Age Day), second Monday of January. The legal age of adulthood is 18 since 2022, but many ceremonies are still held for 20-year-olds. |
| 60 | かんれき (還暦): the completion of a 60-year zodiac cycle, traditionally celebrated with something red |
| 77, 88 | きじゅ and べいじゅ: further longevity celebrations |
Messages for different people
- おたんじょうびおめでとうございます。いつもおせわになっておりますotanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu. itsumo osewa ni natte orimasuHappy birthday. Thank you for always looking after me.To a boss or senior colleague.
- たんじょうびおめでとう！だいすきだよtanjōbi omedetō! daisuki da yoHappy birthday! Love you!To a partner or close friend.
- おかあさん、おたんじょうびおめでとう！okāsan, otanjōbi omedetō!Happy birthday, Mum!
Wish your boss a happy birthday:
“When is your birthday?”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in Japanese?
Say お誕生日おめでとう (otanjōbi omedetō) to friends and family, and お誕生日おめでとうございます (otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu) to be polite.
What does omedetō mean?
おめでとう (omedetō) means congratulations. It's used for birthdays, weddings, graduations and the New Year.
How do you ask someone's birthday in Japanese?
Ask 誕生日はいつですか (tanjōbi wa itsu desu ka), which means 'When is your birthday?'.
What is Shichi-Go-San?
七五三 (shichi-go-san, 'seven-five-three') is a traditional celebration for children aged three, five and seven, who visit a shrine in festive clothing around November 15th.
How do you wish your boss a happy birthday in Japanese?
Say お誕生日おめでとうございます (otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu), optionally adding いつもお世話になっております, 'thank you for always looking after me'.