Learning how to say Happy Birthday in Japanese is a sweet and respectful way to celebrate someone’s special day in Japanese culture. Birthdays in Japan are often celebrated with modesty, sincerity, and heartfelt words rather than grand gestures.
Whether you’re greeting a close friend, coworker, or someone older, knowing the right Japanese phrases helps you sound both kind and culturally aware.
Say Happy Birthday in Japanese
Let’s explore 15 natural and meaningful ways to say Happy Birthday in Japanese, along with their meanings, origins, examples, and usage tips!
15 phrases table for How to Say Happy Birthday in Japanese
| No. | Japanese Phrase | Meaning in English | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | お誕生日おめでとう (Otanjōbi omedetō) | Happy birthday | Most common and casual form |
| 2 | お誕生日おめでとうございます (Otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu) | Happy birthday (polite) | Formal and respectful |
| 3 | ハッピーバースデー (Happī bāsudē) | Happy birthday (English style) | Modern and casual |
| 4 | 素敵な誕生日を！(Suteki na tanjōbi o!) | Have a wonderful birthday! | Cheerful and friendly |
| 5 | 誕生日おめでとう、親友！(Tanjōbi omedetō, shinyū!) | Happy birthday, best friend! | Friendly and warm |
| 6 | 楽しい誕生日を過ごしてね (Tanoshii tanjōbi o sugoshite ne) | Have a fun birthday! | Informal and cute |
| 7 | 素晴らしい一年になりますように (Subarashii ichinen ni narimasu yō ni) | Wishing you a wonderful year | Thoughtful and polite |
| 8 | 誕生日おめでとう、愛してる (Tanjōbi omedetō, aishiteru) | Happy birthday, I love you | Romantic tone |
| 9 | 素敵な一日を！(Suteki na ichinichi o!) | Have a great day! | Can be used for birthdays too |
| 10 | 誕生日おめでとう、元気でね (Tanjōbi omedetō, genki de ne) | Happy birthday, take care | Kind and caring |
| 11 | おめでとう！(Omedetō!) | Congratulations! | Short, friendly, common |
| 12 | 誕生日を楽しんでね (Tanjōbi o tanoshinde ne) | Enjoy your birthday | Casual and cheerful |
| 13 | 幸せな誕生日を！(Shiawase na tanjōbi o!) | Wishing you a happy birthday | Gentle and polite |
| 14 | 誕生日おめでとう、いつもありがとう (Tanjōbi omedetō, itsumo arigatō) | Happy birthday, thank you for everything | Warm and grateful |
| 15 | 最高の誕生日を！(Saikō no tanjōbi o!) | Have the best birthday! | Excited and positive |
1. お誕生日おめでとう (Otanjōbi omedetō) – “Happy Birthday”
Meaning: Congratulations on your birthday.
Origin: Comes from “誕生日” (birthday) and “おめでとう” (congratulations).
Example: お誕生日おめでとう! (Happy Birthday!)
Usage: Most common and friendly way to wish someone a happy birthday.
2. お誕生日おめでとうございます (Otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu) – “Happy Birthday” (polite)
Meaning: A formal version of “Happy Birthday.”
Origin: Adds “ございます” for politeness and respect.
Example: 先生、お誕生日おめでとうございます!
Usage: Used for teachers, bosses, or anyone older.
3. ハッピーバースデー (Happī bāsudē) – “Happy Birthday” (English loanword)
Meaning: English-style greeting used in Japan.
Origin: Borrowed from English pronunciation.
Example: ハッピーバースデー! ケーキを食べましょう!
Usage: Casual, modern, and often used among young people.
4. 素敵な誕生日を (Suteki na tanjōbi o) – “Have a wonderful birthday”
Meaning: Wishing someone a lovely birthday.
Origin: Uses “素敵な,” meaning beautiful or wonderful.
Example: 素敵な誕生日を過ごしてね!
Usage: Friendly and sweet phrase for friends or family.
5. 良い誕生日を (Yoi tanjōbi o) – “Have a good birthday”
Meaning: A simple and warm birthday wish.
Origin: Uses “良い,” meaning good or nice.
Example: 良い誕生日を!
Usage: Works well in texts and short birthday notes.
6. 楽しい誕生日を (Tanoshii tanjōbi o) – “Have a fun birthday”
Meaning: Wishing joy and fun for the day.
Origin: “楽しい” means fun or enjoyable.
Example: 今日は楽しい誕生日を過ごしてね!
Usage: Perfect for close friends or kids.
7. 幸せな誕生日を (Shiawase na tanjōbi o) – “Have a happy birthday”
Meaning: A heartfelt way to wish happiness.
Origin: Comes from “幸せ,” meaning happiness.
Example: 幸せな誕生日を!
Usage: Great for greeting cards or messages.
8. おめでとう、今日はあなたの日! (Omedetō, kyō wa anata no hi!) – “Congrats, today is your day!”
Meaning: Cheerful way to celebrate someone’s special day.
Origin: “今日はあなたの日” means “today is your day.”
Example: おめでとう、今日はあなたの日だよ!
Usage: Casual and joyful phrase for friends.
9. 素晴らしい一年になりますように (Subarashii ichinen ni narimasu yō ni) – “Wishing you a wonderful year ahead”
Meaning: A wish for the upcoming year.
Origin: “ように” expresses hope or desire.
Example: 素晴らしい一年になりますように!
Usage: Often paired with birthday greetings.
10. 幸運を祈ります (Kōun o inorimasu) – “Wishing you good luck”
Meaning: A supportive message for the year ahead.
Origin: “祈ります” means “I pray for” or “I wish for.”
Example: あなたの幸運を祈ります!
Usage: Formal and thoughtful.
11. 夢が叶いますように (Yume ga kanaimasu yō ni) – “May your dreams come true”
Meaning: Expressing heartfelt hope for someone’s success.
Origin: Common expression used in celebrations.
Example: 誕生日に、夢が叶いますように!
Usage: Great addition to birthday wishes.
12. 最高の誕生日を過ごしてね (Saikō no tanjōbi o sugoshite ne) – “Have the best birthday”
Meaning: Encouraging someone to enjoy their special day.
Origin: “最高” means the best or greatest.
Example: 最高の誕生日を過ごしてね!
Usage: Very casual, perfect for friends or social media.
13. 今日は思い出に残る日になりますように (Kyō wa omoide ni nokoru hi ni narimasu yō ni) – “May today be unforgettable”
Meaning: Hoping the day becomes a wonderful memory.
Origin: “思い出に残る” means memorable.
Example: 今日は思い出に残る日になりますように!
Usage: Great for heartfelt messages or cards.
14. バースデーパーティーを楽しんで! (Bāsudē pātī o tanoshinde!) – “Enjoy your birthday party!”
Meaning: Wishing someone fun at their celebration.
Origin: Casual phrase mixing Japanese and English.
Example: バースデーパーティーを楽しんでね!
Usage: Friendly tone — ideal for kids or close friends.
15. いつもありがとう、そしてお誕生日おめでとう! (Itsumo arigatō, soshite otanjōbi omedetō!) – “Thank you always, and happy birthday!”
Meaning: A warm and grateful way to celebrate.
Origin: Common in personal letters or texts.
Example: いつもありがとう、そしてお誕生日おめでとう!
Usage: Perfect for showing appreciation and love.
FAQs
1. What is the most common way to say Happy Birthday in Japanese?
→ The most common phrase is お誕生日おめでとう (Otanjōbi omedetō).
2. How do you say Happy Birthday formally?
→ Say お誕生日おめでとうございます to show respect.
3. Can I use English “Happy Birthday” in Japan?
→ Yes, many young people use ハッピーバースデー casually.
4. How do you write Happy Birthday in Japanese?
→ お誕生日おめでとう is written using kanji and hiragana.
5. What’s a cute way to say Happy Birthday in Japanese?
→ 最高の誕生日を過ごしてね! (Have the best birthday!)
6. How do you wish your teacher Happy Birthday?
→ Say 先生、お誕生日おめでとうございます for politeness.
7. Do Japanese people celebrate birthdays like in the West?
→ Not always with big parties; it’s more about simple, heartfelt wishes.
8. What gifts are common in Japan for birthdays?
→ Flowers, sweets, or small thoughtful presents.
9. What should I avoid saying?
→ Avoid overly casual tone with elders.
10. How do you sing Happy Birthday in Japanese?
→ They often sing it in English or a Japanese-translated version.
Conclusion:
Learning how to say Happy Birthday in Japanese helps you express warmth and respect in a culturally meaningful way. From the polite お誕生日おめでとうございます to friendly ハッピーバースデー, every phrase shows care and connection. Using the right words will make your message stand out, whether in person, a message, or a Japanese greeting card.
