Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046 This is the most common, one-size-fits-all way to say “Happy Birthday” in Japanese.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a good friend or family member of the person turning a year older, you can save yourself a few syllables and leave off gozaimasu,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0or even the “o” <\/em>in otanjoubi. <\/em><\/strong>This phrase implies a more casual, familiar vibe between the speaker and the listener.<\/p>\n Otanjoubi omedetou. Paatii o tanoshimi kudasai. <\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Happy birthday. Enjoy your party.<\/p>\n Japanese:\u00a0<\/strong>\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3002\u30d1\u30fc\u30c6\u30a3\u30fc\u3092\u304a\u697d\u3057\u307f\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059 This phrase is the most polite way to give someone well wishes on their birthday. It’s a form of keigo,<\/em><\/strong> \u656c\u8a9e\uff08\u3051\u3044\u3054\uff09\u2014 polite speech, a cornerstone of speaking the Japanese language<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is a good option if you don’t know the person very well or if you want to show them respect.<\/p>\n Yamada-san, otanjoubi omedetou gosaimasu. Korekara mo Genki de ite kudasai.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Happy birthday, Mr. Yamada. Please continue to stay healthy.<\/p>\n Japanese:<\/strong> \u5c71\u7530\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u3053\u308c\u304b\u3089\u3082\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u305f\u304a\u3081\u00a0<\/p>\n You may have noticed that the more formal a phrase is, the longer it becomes as polite speech is added on to it.<\/p>\n The reverse is also true! Shortening otanjoubi omedetou,<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>you get the super-snappy ota ome.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>This version of “happy birthday” is slang that’s used only in very casual settings, especially online, and is generally used more by the younger generation.<\/p>\n Ossu! Ota Ome! Nomi ni ikou. <\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Hey man! Happy birthday! Let’s go out for drinks.<\/p>\n Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01\u304a\u305f\u304a\u3081! \u98f2\u307f\u306b\u884c\u3053\u3046\u3002 Japanese: <\/strong>\u3007\u3007\u6b73\u306e\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3002 Is someone celebrating an important year? Or maybe you want to be more specific in your birthday wishes. In that case, use this phrase, which allows you to input the specific age someone is turning.<\/p>\n Note that although you’re technically counting in ordinal numbers (first, second, third… birthdays), you use the cardinal readings of Japanese numbers here (issai, nisai, sansai… no otanjoubi). <\/em><\/p>\n Jyuu hassai no o tanjoubi omedetou. Mou otona desu! <\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Happy 18th birthday. You’re an adult now!<\/p>\n Japanese: <\/strong>18\u6b73\u306e\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3002\u3082\u3046\u5927\u4eba\u3067\u3059\uff01 Japanese:<\/strong> \u30cf\u30c3\u30d4\u30fc\u30d0\u30fc\u30b9\u30c7\u30fc Given how loanwords are fairly common in the Japanese language<\/a>, this one shouldn\u2019t be much of a surprise! You can even mix and match and say, happii otanjoubi.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n And, of course, the happy birthday song in Japanese<\/a> might be easier to sing than you think!<\/p>\n Happii Baasudee tu yuu!<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Happy birthday to you!<\/p>\n Japanese:\u00a0<\/strong>\u30cf\u30c3\u30d4\u30fc\u30d0\u30fc\u30b9\u30c7\u30fc \u30c8\u30a5\u30fc\u30e6\u30fc\uff01 Japanese:<\/strong> \u9045\u304f\u306a\u3063\u305f\u3051\u3069\u3001\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff01 If you missed your friend’s birthday, don’t sweat it! Just wish them a belated happy birthday in Japanese, just as you might in English. The key phrase here is Osoku nattakedo… <\/em>(Though it’s late…) and you can follow it up with a birthday wish of whatever formality suits the occasion.<\/p>\n Osoku nattakedo, otanjoubi omedetou! <\/em><\/strong>Suimasen okuremashita. <\/em>\u2014 Happy belated birthday! I’m sorry I’m late.<\/p>\n Japanese:<\/strong> \u9045\u304f\u306a\u3063\u305f\u3051\u3069\u3001\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff01\u3059\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u9045\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 Japanese:<\/strong> \u7d20\u6575\u306a\u4e00\u5e74\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3088\u3046\u306b Add this statement to your birthday wishes to make it even more heartfelt and meaningful. You can use this with anyone\u2014it’s suitable for any level of formality, from your boss to your best friend!<\/p>\n Otanjoubi omedetou! Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu youni!<\/strong> <\/em>\u2014 Happy birthday! I hope this will be a wonderful year!<\/p>\n Japanese: <\/strong>\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff01\u7d20\u6575\u306a\u4e00\u5e74\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3088\u3046\u306b\uff01 You now have seven different ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Japanese under your belt. Here are some essential words, phrases and sentences to know to keep the celebrations going:<\/p>\n You can pick up even more Japanese birthday vocabulary by consuming authentic Japanese media. For example, this adorable and wholesome clip from the anime “Mayo Chiki”<\/a> will warm your heart and teach you a few more phrases you could use with your friends.<\/p>\n You can find hundreds more authentic Japanese clips on the language learning program, FluentU<\/a>. \r\nFluentU takes real-world videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons<\/a>.<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nIt naturally and gradually eases you into learning Japanese language and culture. You\u2019ll learn real Japanese as it\u2019s spoken in real life.\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nJust take a look at the wide variety of authentic video content<\/a> available in the program. Here\u2019s a small sample:\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nYou\u2019ll discover tons of new Japanese vocabulary through these great clips.\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nDon\u2019t worry about your skill level being an issue when it comes to understanding the language. FluentU makes native Japanese videos approachable through interactive transcripts.<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nTap on any word to look it up instantly.\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nYou\u2019ll see definitions, in-context usage examples and helpful illustrations<\/strong>. Simply tap \u201cadd\u201d to send interesting vocabulary words to your personal vocab list for later review.\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nFluentU even uses a learning program which adapts to your specific needs<\/strong> to turn every video into a language learning lesson and get you to actively practice your newly-learned language skills.\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\nStart using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/p>\n Just like in English, it can be a bit too straightforward to ask for someone\u2019s age on their birthday.<\/p>\n But you can definitely ask about their birthday wishes!<\/p>\n Because of customs like this, it’s extremely important you understand basic cultural etiquette before attending a Japanese birthday party.<\/p>\n Here’s a word of advice: don’t touch or open someone else\u2019s gift. That\u2019s a worldwide no-no<\/a>!<\/p>\n If you have a gift to offer the birthday person, you should give it to them properly.<\/p>\n In Japanese culture, you should always hand someone a gift with both hands and a slight bow<\/a>. Don’t be surprised if the person rejects the gift once or twice, either. This is just a way of being humble and polite.<\/p>\n Just like how you gave the gift with both hands and a bow, eventually, your Japanese colleague or friend will also receive the gift with both hands and a slight bow.<\/p>\n As a child, your parents will throw a party for you. As you get older though, different people of importance in your life will start to take charge.<\/p>\n For example: In high school, if a young shounen <\/em>\u5c11\u5e74\uff08\u3057\u3087\u3046\u306d\u3093\uff09(male) has a girlfriend, he’d be the one to take her out for her birthday.<\/p>\n And if you’re single, your friends are more likely to take you out or throw a birthday bash to honor you.<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff09<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3002\u3071\u30fc\u3066\u3043\u30fc\u304a\u305f\u306e\u3057\u307f\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n2. Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu<\/em> \u2014 Happy birthday (formal)<\/h2>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\uff09<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u3084\u307e\u3060\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u3053\u308c\u304b\u3089\u3082\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n3.\u00a0Ota ome <\/em>\u2014 Happy birthday (abbreviated slang)<\/h2>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01\u304a\u305f\u304a\u3081\uff01\u306e\u307f\u306b\u3044\u3053\u3046\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n4.\u00a0\u3007\u3007-sai no otanjoubi omedetou <\/em><\/strong>\u2014 Happy Xth birthday<\/h2>\n
\n\uff08\u3007\u3007\u3055\u3044\u306e\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u3058\u3085\u3046\u306f\u3063\u3055\u3044\u306e\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3002\u3082\u3046\u304a\u3068\u306a\u3067\u3059\uff01\uff09<\/p>\n5. Happii baasudee<\/em> \u2014 Happy birthday<\/h2>\n
\n\uff08\u306f\u3063\u3074\u30fc\u3070\u30fc\u3059\u3067\u30fc\uff09<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u306f\u3063\u3074\u30fc\u3070\u30fc\u3059\u3067\u30fc\u3068\u3045\u30fc\u3086\u30fc\uff01\uff09<\/p>\n6.\u00a0Osoku nattakedo, otanjoubi omedetou! <\/em>\u2014 Happy belated birthday!<\/h2>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u305d\u304f \u306a\u3063\u305f\u3051\u3069\u3001\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff01\uff09<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u305d\u304f \u306a\u3063\u305f\u3051\u3069\u3001\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff01\u3059\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u304a\u304f\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n7. Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu youni<\/em> \u2014 I hope this will be a wonderful year<\/h2>\n
\n\uff08\u3059\u3066\u304d\u306a \u3044\u3061\u306d\u3093 \u306b \u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059 \u3088\u3046 \u306b\uff09<\/p>\n
\n\uff08\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\uff01 \u3059\u3066\u304d\u306a \u3044\u3061\u306d\u3093 \u306b \u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059 \u3088\u3046 \u306b\uff01\uff09<\/p>\nMust-know Birthday Vocabulary in Japanese<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u8a95\u751f\u65e5 \uff08\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u30b1\u30fc\u30ad \uff08\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u3051\u30fc\u304d\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u4e7e\u676f\uff01 \uff08\u304b\u3093\u3071\u3044\uff01\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u4f55\u6b73\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f \uff08\u306a\u3093\u3055\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u307e\u3060\u82e5\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002\uff08\u307e\u3060\u308f\u304b\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002\uff09or \u3078\u30fc\u82e5\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002 \uff08\u3078\u30fc\u308f\u304b\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u3084\u3063\u305f\uff01<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u7d20\u6575\u306a\u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u3092\u904e\u3054\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\uff01\uff08\u3059\u3066\u304d\u306a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u3092\u3059\u3054\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\uff01\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u3064\u307e\u3089\u306a\u3044\u3082\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u306f\u301c\u3044\uff01\u3007\u3007\u3055\u3093\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306e\u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u3067\u3059\uff01\uff08\u306f\u301c\u3044\uff01\u3007\u3007\u3055\u3093\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306e\u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068\u3067\u3059\uff01\uff09<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u306e\u9858\u3044\u304c\u53f6\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3088\u3046\u306b\uff01\uff08\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u306e\u306d\u304c\u3044\u304c\u304b\u306a\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3088\u3046\u306b\uff01)<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Japanese: \u304a\u8a95\u751f\u65e5\u4e88\u5b9a\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08\u304a\u305f\u3093\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3073\u306e\u3088\u3066\u3044\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"FluentU](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/iTunesArtwork@1x.png\")
<\/a><\/div><\/p>\n![\"learn-japanese-with-short-videos\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/6\/Japnaese-5.png\" "\\"5")
<\/a>\r\n![\"learn-japanese-with-songs\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/6\/Japanese-2.png\" "\\"5")
<\/a>\r\n![\"learn-japanese-with-movies\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/6\/Japanese-6.png\" "\\"5")
<\/a>\r\n![\"practice-japanese-with-adaptive-quizzes\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/6\/Japanese-7.png\" "\\"5")
<\/a>\r\nJapanese Birthday Etiquette and Customs<\/h2>\n
Don’t touch someone else’s gifts:<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nThere’s a proper way to give gifts:<\/h3>\n
Birthdays change as you get older:<\/h3>\n
Special birthdays in Japanese culture:
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n