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Six Ways To Say "Happy Birthday" In Japanese

So you want to wish your Japanese-speaking friends "happy birthday" in Japanese.

Whether you're sending a birthday card, or just writing a message, here are six different ways to share the love.

First of all, let's say “Happy Birthday”:

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Fran Wrigley Step Up Japanese Blog Happy Birthday in Japanese Otanjoubi Omedetou 1.jpeg

So you want to wish your Japanese-speaking friends "happy birthday" in Japanese.

Whether you're sending a birthday card, or just writing a message, here are six different ways to share the love.

First of all, let's say “Happy Birthday”:

1) お誕生日おめでとう！　o-tanjoubi omedetou

Simple and classic, this one means "happy birthday", or literally "congratulations on your birthday".


2) お誕生日おめでとうございます。　o-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu

Stick a "gozaimasu" on the end to make it more polite.

Good for people older than you, people you know less well, and definitely good for your boss.


3) ハッピーバースデー！happii baasudee!

This one is actually one of my favourites - a Japan-ified version of the English phrase “happy birthday”.

If you're writing a message, it's good to follow up after the birthday greeting by also wishing the person well:


1)  楽しんでください　tanoshinde kudasai

"Have fun!"

e.g. お誕生日おめでとう！楽しんでください ^ ^

"Happy birthday! Have fun :)"


2) 素敵な一日を　sutekina ichinichi o

"Have a great day."

e.g. お誕生日おめでとう！素敵な一日を〜

"Happy birthday! Have a great day."


3) 素晴らしい１年になりますように　subarashii ichinen ni narimasu you ni

"I hope it's a wonderful year for you."

e.g. お誕生日おめでとうございます。素晴らしい１年になりますように。

"Happy birthday. I hope you have a wonderful year."


As you may have noticed, birthday messages wishing someone well for the year are kind of similar to a New Years' Greeting in Japanese.

それじゃ、素敵な一日を！ sutekina ichinichi o!

And with that, I hope you have a wonderful day!


Learn beginner Japanese:

Sakura - Beginner Japanese (Starter Level) Sakura - Beginner Japanese (Starter Level) Sakura - Beginner Japanese (Starter Level)
Sakura - Beginner Japanese (Starter Level)
from £195.00

Tuesdays, 12:00pm (UK time) | Online Group Course
Starts 15th Sept 2026 | 36 weeks

Who this course is for

This course is for true beginners or early beginners who already know a little Japanese (e.g. ~10-20 hiragana characters) and want to build a solid foundation.

If you are starting completely from zero, I recommend a few 1:1 lessons before joining.

You will already be able to:

  • Recognise a small number of hiragana characters (or are beginning to learn them)

  • Feel comfortable learning slowly and step-by-step

In this course you will learn to:

  • Introduce yourself and ask simple questions

  • Talk about family, friends, likes and dislikes

  • Order food and drinks in a restaurant

  • Ask and answer simple questions about places you are staying

  • Talk about where people and things are located

  • Build confidence reading hiragana and begin katakana

  • Start recognising a small number of common kanji

The focus is on practical, everyday Japanese for absolute communication basics.

Course details

  • Duration: 36 weeks (3 x 12-week terms)

  • Day/time: Tuesdays, 12pm (UK time), 55-minute lessons

  • Textbook: Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan - Starter (starting from Lesson 3, free online)

Not sure if this is right for you?

Book a free 30-minute Zoom consultation or email me for advice.

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Updated 10th August 2021

 
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