How to Say ‘Actually, it's my wife's birthday.’ in Japanese
実は妻の誕生日なんですが
jitsu wa tsuma no tanjoubi na n desu ga
[jitsu wah TSOO-mah noh tahn-JOH-blahth nah n dess gah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Opening with 実は "actually" is the natural way to bring up a special occasion. Restaurants in Japan often hear it as a cue that you're about to ask for something extra, like a message plate or a nicer table.
Phrase Breakdown
実は
jitsu wa
Actually / To tell the truth
実は (jitsu wa) introduces new or personal information.
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]
(part of 実は)
Topic particle that forms 実は 'actually' with 実.
実は明日休みです。
Actually, I'm off tomorrow.
妻の誕生日なんですが
tsuma no tanjoubi na n desu ga
it's my wife's birthday, and...
なんですが explains the situation and leads into a request.
妻の誕生日なんですが、ケーキはありますか。
It's my wife's birthday. Do you have cake?
Words in this phrase
妻
tsuma
[TSOO-mah]
(my) wife
Neutral word for your own wife.
妻は料理が上手です。
My wife is good at cooking.
の
no
[noh]
of; 's
A particle that connects nouns, often showing possession or description.
今日の仕込みでのは名詞をつなぎます。
In kyou no shikomi, no connects nouns.
誕生日
tanjoubi
[tahn-JOH-blahth]
birthday
The anniversary of a person's birth.
誕生日おめでとう。
Happy birthday.
な
na
[nah]
(copula before ん)
Form of だ used before explanatory ん after nouns.
休みなんです。
It's that I'm off.
ん
n
[n]
(explanatory n)
Casual form of の; adds a tone of seeking or giving an explanation, often before です.
どうしたんですか。
What happened?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
が
ga
[gah]
(softening ending)
Ending a sentence with ga softens a request politely.
お願いしたいんですが。
I'd like to ask a favor...
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