How to Say ‘It's actually our anniversary’ in Japanese
実は記念日なので
jitsu wa kinenbi na no de
[jitsu wah kee-NEN-bee nah noh deh]
💬 Usage Tip: Ending with なので "so / because" and stopping there is a soft way to hint at a request without spelling it out.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Mentioning an anniversary or birthday when booking is common in Japan, and many restaurants respond with a good table, a dessert plate with a message, or a small gift. It's a polite nudge rather than a demand.
Phrase Breakdown
実は
jitsu wa
actually / to tell the truth
実は (jitsu wa) introduces new or personal information. The 'i' in 'jitsu' is often almost silent.
実は明日休みです。
Actually, I'm off tomorrow.
Words in this phrase
実
jitsu
[jitsu]
in fact, actually
Used to reveal real facts or truth.
実は今日、誕生日です。
Actually, today is my birthday.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker
は marks the topic of the sentence.
空席はありますか。
Are there any seats available?
記念日なので
kinenbi na no de
since it's an anniversary
記念日 (kinenbi) means 'anniversary' or 'special day'. なので (na node) means 'because' or 'since'.
記念日なので花を買いました。
Since it's our anniversary, I bought flowers.
Words in this phrase
記念日
kinenbi
[kee-NEN-bee]
anniversary; special day
A day commemorating an event, like a wedding anniversary.
今日は結婚記念日です。
Today is our wedding anniversary.
な
na
[nah]
is (copula before の)
Form of だ used before ので after a noun.
休みなので家にいます。
Since it's a day off, I'm home.
の
no
[noh]
(part of ので 'because')
Forms ので together with で, meaning 'because/since'.
雨なので行きません。
Since it's raining, I won't go.
で
de
[deh]
(part of ので 'because')
Completes ので, giving a reason softly.
忙しいので後で電話します。
I'm busy, so I'll call later.
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