How to Say ‘What do you do on your birthday?’ in Japanese
誕生日に何をしますか。
tanjoubi ni nani o shi masu ka
[tan-joh-bee nee na-ni o shee mahss kah]
Phrase Breakdown
誕生日に
tanjoubi ni
On (your) birthday
誕生日 (tanjoubi) means birthday. に (ni) marks a point in time, like 'on'.
誕生日にプレゼントをもらいました。
I got a present on my birthday.
Words in this phrase
誕生日
tanjoubi
[tan-joh-bee]
birthday
The day someone was born; often used when mentioning celebrations.
母の誕生日なので、特別なお席をお願いしたいです。
Since it is my mother's birthday, I would like to request a special seat.
に
ni
[nee]
on (a time/date)
Particle marking a specific time or day when something happens.
日曜日に行きます。
I'll go on Sunday.
何をしますか。
nani o shi masu ka
What will you do?
A polite question about plans. Say it as 'nani o shimasu ka', with a light 'u' in 'su'.
明日何をしますか。
What will you do tomorrow?
Words in this phrase
何
nani
[na-ni]
what
Question word used to ask about things or content.
これは何ですか。
What is this?
を
o
[o]
object marker
A particle that marks the direct object of a verb or the route along which someone moves.
この道を歩きます。
I walk along this road.
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
The stem of する, used to turn nouns like 確認 into verbs such as 'to check.'
確認しお願いします。
Please check it.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite ending added to verb stems in non-past affirmative forms.
水を飲みます。
I drink water.
か
ka
[kah]
question particle
か is placed at the end of a sentence to mark it as a question in polite Japanese.
先生ですか。
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