How to Say ‘Happy birthday’ in Japanese
お誕生日おめでとう
o tanjoubi o medetou
[oh tan-joh-bee oh meh-deh-toh]
💬 Usage Tip: [おめでとう] is used for congratulations in general, not just birthdays. Swap the occasion: [ご結婚おめでとう] means "congratulations on your marriage."
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix appearing again before a congratulatory word.
おめでとうの言葉を書きます。
I will write congratulatory words.
誕生日
tanjoubi
[tan-joh-bee]
birthday
Birthday; often used in greetings or celebration messages.
誕生日の予約です。
It's a birthday reservation.
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix appearing again before a congratulatory word.
おめでとうの言葉を書きます。
I will write congratulatory words.
めでとう
medetou
[meh-deh-toh]
congratulations
A celebratory word meaning congratulations; often used in birthday messages.
お誕生日おめでとう。
Happy birthday.
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