The idea of celebrating one's birthday on one's birthday is relatively new in Japan. Until the 1950s, all Japanese birthdays were celebrated in the New Year. However, as Japanese culture has been influenced by Western culture, the idea of an individual birthday has taken on greater significance. To say "Happy Birthday" in Japanese, one usually uses "Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu". If you know the other person well, remove the first "o" and the term "gozaimasu", which is considered more formal, by simply using "Tanjoubi omedetou".
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Wish a Happy Birthday
Step 1. Use "Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu" to be polite
"Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu" means "Happy birthday". However, the "o" before "tanjoubi" expresses politeness and respect. The term "gozaimasu", which means "many", is also considered more formal. Use this phrase when talking to a stranger, someone older than you, or someone in an important position, such as a teacher or your supervisor at work.
- This sentence is written as お 誕生 日 お め で と う ご ざ い ま す.
- A literal translation of this sentence would be "Many congratulations on your birthday".
Advise:
even though the word "gozaimasu" is considered to be relatively formal, it is included regardless of written birthday wishes, even when the recipient is a close friend.
Step 2. Switch to "Tanjoubi omedetou" for close friends
If you are talking to close friends or people younger than you, you can do without formalities and simply say "Tanjoubi omedetou" (誕生 日 お め で と う) to wish "Happy Birthday".
Young people often use even more informal expressions, saying "Happy bazde" (ハ ッ ピ ー バ ー ス デ ー). This greeting is basically a series of Japanese syllables that mimic the sound of "Happy birthday" in English
Advise:
"Omedetou" (お め で と う) means "congratulations". You can use this word on its own to wish someone a happy birthday or congratulate them for another reason.
Step 3. Add an expression of gratitude for someone in high office
If you want to wish a happy birthday to someone who has more authority than you, like a teacher or your boss at work, it's common in Japanese culture to thank him for his presence in your life. Here are some phrases you can use:
- "Itsumo osewani natteimasu. Arigatou gozaimasu" ("Thank you for your continued support");
- "Korekaramo sutekina manager de itekudasai" ("Remain the wonderful boss you are");
- "Itsumo atatakaku goshido itadaki arigatou gozaimasu" ("Thank you for always offering us your reassuring guidance");
- "Ni totte taisetsu na hi o isshoni sugosete kouei desu" ("I am grateful to be able to spend such an important day in your life with her").
Step 4. Add the name or a term that specifies your relationship to personalize the greeting
If you are celebrating the birthday of a close friend, relative or your partner, you can refer to your relationship in the expression you use. Here are some possibilities:
- "Shinyu-no anatani, otanjo-bi omedetou" ("Happy birthday to my best friend");
- "Aisuru anatani, otanjo-bi omedetou" ("Happy birthday, my love").
Part 2 of 3: Talking about the Age in Japanese
Step 1. Use "Anata wa nansai desu ka" to ask someone how old they are
If you prefer a more informal expression, you can simply say "Nansai desu ka". Conversely, if you are talking to someone older than you or someone who holds an important position and you want to be more formal, you should say "Toshi wa ikutsu desu ka"
Step 2. Answer with your age by saying "watashi wa", then your age, followed by "sai desu"
Counting in Japanese is pretty easy. If you learn to count to 10 in Japanese, you can form all numbers. Use them to communicate your age.
- For example, if you are 26, you should answer "Watashi wa ni-juu-roku sai desu".
- If you are asked the more informal question "Nansai desu ka", you can simply answer with your age followed by "sai desu ka".
Advise:
age can be a sensitive subject. If you don't want to answer the question, you can just say "Chotto". This term means "small" in Japanese, but in this context, it indicates that you prefer not to answer. You can also joke with "Mo tosh desu", which basically means "Too old!".
Step 3. Enter your year of birth using the Japanese calendar
If you want to impress a Japanese who asks how old you are, you can answer by referring to the Japanese calendar. If you were born between 1926 and 1988, you belong to the Showa era. If you were born between 1989 and 2019, you belong to the Heisei era. The year of birth translates to a year in that era, which you can consequently use to communicate how old you are.
For example, imagine you were born in 1992. The Heisei era started in 1989, so you were born in the fourth year of the Hesei era and your age is "Heisei 4"
Part 3 of 3: Adopting Japanese Birthday Traditions
Step 1. Recognize special birthdays in Japanese culture
All cultures have birthdays that are considered more important than others. In Japan, the third, fifth and seventh birthdays are of particular importance for children. There are also several milestones for older people. Some of these special birthdays include:
- Shichi-go-san (七五 三): a party for girls who reach 3 or 7 years of age and for boys who reach 5 years of age.
- Hatachi (二十 歳): the twentieth birthday, in which Japanese youth become adults.
- Kanreki (還 暦): The 5 cycles of the Chinese zodiac are complete when a person turns 60 and is said to be reborn. The birthday boy wears a sleeveless red jacket that represents the return to the beginning of life.
Step 2. Celebrate the onset of adulthood at age 20
If you are Italian, you have probably celebrated the age of 18 at which you are considered of age and you can vote. In Japan, these rights are acquired at the age of 20 and a large formal party is organized in the birthday boy's hometown.
- The celebrations begin with the birthday boy wearing a formal kimono, but are often allowed to change into less formal clothes afterwards.
- The party and the banquet are prepared by the parents. This is usually the last ceremony that parents organize for their children, except for marriage.
Step 3. Plan your birthday party a few days before your birth day
The Japanese have adopted many Western traditions, including a large birthday party with relatives, friends and colleagues of the birthday boy. Usually the party is organized by a relative, partner or close friend. Since a person's actual birthday is usually spent privately, the biggest party is thrown a few days earlier.
- Although the birthday boy can participate in organizing the party, usually in Japanese culture it is not he who pays the bills, invites guests, or takes care of the other details.
- The birthday party doesn't have to be elaborate. Often it consists of a group of friends who invite the birthday boy out to dinner to celebrate it, perhaps in his favorite restaurant.
Cultural Council:
the Japanese give less importance to the individual than Western culture. As a result, some Japanese don't like being the center of attention for a big birthday party. Ask the birthday boy what he or she prefers before you start throwing a lavish party.
Step 4. Make an appointment for your partner's birthday
If you are in a romantic relationship with a Japanese person, it is usually your duty to plan a date on their birthday. Even if you have already thought about the party a few days before, the real birthday is a more intimate occasion, which is only spent with your partner.
