The way you say Happy Birthday in Japanese depends on who you're saying it to! Learn how to say Happy Birthday in Japanese properly, whether formal or casual, spoken or written, and other birthday wishes you can express!
Table of Contents
- お誕生日おめでとう: The Basic "Happy Birthday" in Japanese
- Things to Consider Before Wishing Someone Happy Birthday in Japanese
- How to Say Happy Birthday in Japanese To Specific People (spoken and written)
- Choosing a Birthday Gift in Japan
- Summary
1. お誕生日おめでとう: The Basic "Happy Birthday" in Japanese
The word "birthday" is tanjoubi (たんじょうび、誕生日) in Japanese. But when we greet people for their birthday, we use the word otanjobi (おたんじょうび、お誕生日).
So we simply say “お誕生日おめでとう”（otanjoubi omedetou) or ”誕生日おめでとう” (tanjoubi omedetou) which is even more casual.
But this varies depending on who you're talking to. Otanjoubi omedetou can be used for family, close friends and classmates.
2. お誕生日おめでとうございます
If you need to be more formal, use お誕生日おめでとうございます (Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu). This can be used for coworkers, your supervisor, acquaintances - basically anyone that you want to politely wish happy birthday.
3. おたおめ
For really close friends or casual online greetings, you can even shorten the long otanjoubi omedetou to おたおめ (ota ome). Some even say たんおめ (tan ome). There's a tendency to shorten these celebratory greetings, especially online.
For example, 明けましておめでとう (akemashite omedetou; Happy New Year) gets shortened to ake ome.
4. ハッピーバースデイ
...or you could simply say Happy Birthday! It's pronounced "happy baasudei" in Japanese but close enough, right?
5. ○歳おめでとう
The full greeting is 〇歳の誕生日おめでとう (〇-sai no tanjoubi omedetou) which means "Happy (insert age) Birthday". (You would insert the age in place of the 〇.)
For example, for Happy 20th Birthday, you'd say 20歳のお誕生日おめでとう (Nijyussai no otanjoubi omedetou).
But for short, you can say 〇歳おめでとう (〇-sai omedetou).
Of course, you can only use it if you know how old they're turning. If you don't know, only ask if it's appropriate (never ask your supervisor or women).
6. 素敵な一年になりますように
Now we get into the popular message or birthday wish to include with the basic happy birthday greeting. These are usually written.
素敵な一年になりますように (Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu youni) means "I hope you have a wonderful year".
This can be used for everyone regardless of your relationship with the person, making it one of the most commonly used birthday wishes.
7. これからもお元気でいてください
To wish someone continued good health, you can say これからもお元気でいてください (Korekaramo ogenki de ite kudasai). This is used mainly for family (especially elders in the family), friends and people you respect. It sounds a little more on the formal side.
8. 生まれてきてくれてありがとう
And to close on a more intimate example, 生まれてきてくれてありがとう (Umarete kite kurete arigatou) means "Thank you for being born".
This can be used between family (parent to child, to younger siblings), romantic partners, to close friends.
The above 8 are popular examples of what people say to wish someone happy birthday, but keep reading for more examples for what to write in cards and more about Japanese birthday culture!
Writer's Pick
Things to Consider Before Wishing Someone Happy Birthday in Japanese
The degree of closeness you have with the person
If you're close or the same age (or to someone younger), you can use the most basic お誕生日おめでとう (Otanjoubi Omedetou). Otherwise, always use お誕生日おめでとうございます (Otanjoubi Omedetou gozaimasu).
The formality of your relationship
While the basic "happy birthday" part may not change much, what you say or write in addition to the initial happy birthday greeting will greatly vary depending on if the person is your boss, client, friend, etc., as well as the formality of what you say.
The occasion
Always consider whether your birthday greeting should be formal or casual based on TPO (time, place, occasion). Even if they are a close friend, consider if your boss or family members are present. This goes for any language not just English, but what you say should be different depending on whether you're in the office, at school, at a nomikai (drinking party) with colleagues, at a gathering with just close friends, and so on.
How to Say Happy Birthday in Japanese To Specific People (spoken and written)
Common Phrases used to say "Happy Birthday" in Japanese
As we stated above
“Birthday” is tanjoubi (たんじょうび、誕生日) in Japanese. But when we greet people for their birthday, we use the word otanjobi (おたんじょうび、お誕生日).
So we simply say “お誕生日おめでとう!”（Otanjoubi Omedetou) or the more polite ”お誕生日おめでとうございます!” (Otanjoubi Omedetou gozaimasu) to say Happy Birthday.
When written, however, we can use a variety of different messages in addition to the initial happy birthday greeting.
Some common phrases used in birthday messages include:
いつも (Itsumo) - Always
We use it to thank them for something they are constantly doing for us.
Casual: いつもありがとう (ございます)。
Itsumo arigatou (gozazimasu).
Thank you always / for everything.
Formal: いつもお世話になっております。
Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu.
Thank you for your continued support.
~ますように (~masu youni) - I hope you (your birthday/year)~
This is used to state wishes for the day or year.
Example: 素敵な / 素晴らしい 一年になりますように。
Sutekina/Subarashii ichinen ni narimasu youni.
I hope you have a wonderful year.
~ください (~kudasai) - I'm hoping you / Please~
This is a different way from ～masuyouni to wish something for someone for their birthday and upcoming year.
Example: これからもお元気でいてください。
Korekaramo ogenkide itekudasai.
I hope you stay in good health.
(used more for family and friends)
これからも・今後とも （Korekaramo (casual)・Kongotomo (formal)) - From now on / continue to be
Like the above example, this is used to show that you hope the person or situation stays the same as it has been.
Casual: これからも よろしく！
Korekaramo yoroshiku!
I look forward to our continued relationship!
Formal: 今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。
Kongotomo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
I thank you for your continued support and look forward to our continued relationship.
Here are different happy birthday messages categorized by relationship that you can use paired with the above examples:
To a Friend
Spoken
The most casual form: お誕生日おめでとう！(otanjoubi omedetou)
When spoken, you can even leave off the o and say 誕生日おめでとう (tanjoubi omedetou). But when written, you should include the o.
You can also say “ハッピーバースデイ（happy basudee)” which is the Japanese pronunciation of the English phrase “Happy Birthday!”
You can add a simple “大好き！” (Daisuki: I love you!), “いつもありがとう！” (Itsumo arigatou: Thank you always for everything), and “楽しくすごしてね!”（tanoshiku sugoshitene) “Have fun on your birthday!”
Written
These are just some examples you can choose from.
親友よ、お誕生日おめでとう!
Shinyu yo, otanjoubi omedetou!
Happy birthday, best friend!
あなたの願いがすべて叶いますように。
Anata no negai ga subete kanaimasu youni.
May all your (birthday) wishes come true.
ずっと友達でいようね。
Zutto tomodachi de iyoune.
Let's stay friends forever (for a long time).
これからも よろしく！
Korekaramo yoroshiku!
I look forward to our continued relationship!
Adding what you like or admire about them, bringing up good memories you have together, and/or reminding them of or making plans to do something with them this year are also great add-ons to happy birthday messages.
To an Acquaintance / Coworker
Spoken
Depending on your relationship with this person, you can go with the most casual お誕生日おめでとう (otanjoubi omedetou) or add ございます (gozaimasu) at the end to make it a little more formal. Again, this level of formality is used for people who are older than you, higher in position at work, or people you are not close enough to be very casual with.
Written
素敵な / 素晴らしい 一年になりますように。
Sutekina/Subarashii ichinen ni narimasu youni.
I hope you have a wonderful year.
これからも健康な日々でありますように。
Korekaramo kenkou na hibi de arimasu youni.
I hope you continue to stay healthy every day.
これからもよろしくお願いします。
Korekaramo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
I thank you for your continued support and look forward to our continued relationship.
If you see them often, you can thank them or praise them for something you noticed about them in addition to wishing them well. And of course, if you have a closer working relationship, then you can be casual.
To a Superior / Someone Older than you
Spoken and Written
For a superior or someone older, you must use the formal version “お誕生日おめでとうございます”（otanjobi omedetou gozaimasu).
After which we can add some words of gratitude like:
いつもお世話になっております。
Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu.
Thank you for your continued support/guidance.
いつも 助けて・アドバイス いただきありがとうございます。
Itsumo tasukete / adobaisu itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you always for your help/advice. (Please choose whether help or advice is more applicable.)
今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。
Kongotomo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
I thank you for your continued support and look forward to our continued relationship.
To your Significant Other
Spoken and written (based on how shy you are!):
Use the casual form お誕生日おめでとう！(Otanjoubi omedetou).
生まれてきてくれてありがとう。
Umaretekite kurete arigatou.
Thank you for being born.
一緒にいてくれてありがとう。
Isshoni itekurete arigatou.
Thanks for being with me.
ずっと一緒にいようね。
Zutto isshoni iyoune.
Let's stay together forever.
これからも よろしくね。
Korekaramo yoroshikune.
I look forward to our continued relationship.
愛してる。
Aishiteru.
I love you.
Belated Birthday Greetings
When you get a chance to greet someone but it’s at a later date than their actual birthday, say,
"遅ればせながらお誕生日おめでとう(ございます)".
(Okurebasenagara otanjoubi omedetou (gozaimasu))
This means "happy belated birthday". Then, you can ask them how they spent their birthday (if you're close/comfortable enough).
Note: For the written messages, sometimes these phrases are already pre-written in birthday cards you can buy at the store. Check the messages inside to see if they are appropriate for the person you are giving it to!
Choosing a Birthday Gift in Japan
Aside from greeting someone on their birthday, we can also give them gifts.
But again, there are some things to consider.
Birthday Card
Cards are nice, because it's both a physical object you can hand them as well as very meaningful. There are many cute and classy designs available at stores. However, when signing a card in Japan, you may want to change your pen. For friends, almost any color goes, but for your superiors or professional settings, the standard black or blue is best.
Here are some lovely birthday cards with お誕生日おめでとうございます already written on the front!
Numbers
Try to avoid giving things that have 4 or 9 items as they are considered bad luck. It's rare that people will specifically count, but it's best to avoid it anyway.
Flowers
Flowers are nice for friends. However, in the office, flowers are mostly given as congratulatory presents, such as for a promotion or when someone is leaving the company, so it's usually better not to gift flowers for birthdays at the office. (Plus most people don't have a vase at the office.)
Flowers also have different meanings, which is why it is important to research about them as well. Red roses of course are romantic, so if you're just friends, other colors are better. Flower shops usually have premade bouquets with various seasonal flowers, so that might be your best bet. Just make sure you don't buy the ones meant to be decorated at a grave or household shrine/altar as shops often sell both!
Gift Wrapping
Simple and classy colors and designs are preferred (usually), so one solid color with a brighter colored ribbon, or striped patterns are popular for gift wrapping. As it’s a gift, it’s best to avoid all black gift wrapping, as black can stand for death. In Japan, many shops offer gift wrapping services, so if you’re not sure which colors are best, you can ask for recommendations from the staff.
Presents at Work
Note that anything too expensive might make the person feel bad, especially if they are a coworker or acquaintance, as there's a social expectation to give back something of an equal or greater value. Simple gifts such as practical stationery, sweets like cookies, or tea or coffee are perfect gifts for coworkers or your boss.
Summary
In Japan, just like in any other country, it's common to wish someone happy birthday on their special day. However, we must use the proper greeting so that we don't create an awkward situation with our unknowingly rude behavior. To sum up, pay attention to your relationship with the person and your settings, and know how to adjust your message accordingly.
If in doubt, a simple "お誕生日おめでとうございます。" will never go wrong!
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