How to Say Happy Birthday in Japanese: 16 Festive Expressions

The Short Answer

The most common way to say happy birthday in Japanese is お誕生日おめでとうございます (Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu, oh-tahn-joh-bee oh-meh-deh-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs). This is the polite form appropriate for most situations. Among close friends, the casual 誕生日おめでとう (Tanjoubi omedetou) is equally natural. Both center on おめでとう (omedetou), which means "congratulations" and is the key word in all Japanese birthday expressions.

Japanese is spoken by approximately 125 million people, the vast majority in Japan, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. Japanese birthday culture has evolved dramatically over the past century. Traditional Japan focused on collective age celebrations (where everyone turned a year older on New Year's Day), but modern Japan has fully embraced individual birthday celebrations with Western-style cakes, candles, and the familiar Happy Birthday melody, often sung in English.

"Japanese celebrations blend ancient customs with imported traditions in a way that is uniquely harmonious. The birthday party, a relatively recent addition to Japanese social life, has been thoroughly domesticated, complete with its own etiquette and expected phrases."

(Seiichi Makino, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times, 1986)

This guide covers 16 essential Japanese birthday expressions organized by category: standard wishes, casual and polite forms, the birthday song, formal and written phrases, milestone celebrations, and gift-giving language. Each includes Japanese script, romaji, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Quick Reference: Japanese Birthday Phrases at a Glance

Standard Birthday Wishes

These are the core birthday expressions used across Japan. The choice between polite and casual forms follows the same keigo (politeness level) system that governs all Japanese communication.

お誕生日おめでとうございます (Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu)

This is the safe, universal birthday greeting in Japanese. The word 誕生日 (tanjoubi) breaks down into 誕生 (tanjou = birth) and 日 (bi = day). The honorific お (o) prefix shows respect, and ございます (gozaimasu) is the polite form of the copula. According to NHK, this is the recommended form for all but the most intimate relationships.

誕生日おめでとう (Tanjoubi omedetou)

Dropping the お prefix and the ございます ending creates the casual form used between friends. This is the version you would text to a close friend or say at a casual birthday gathering. Among young Japanese friends, this feels natural and warm. Using the full polite form with a close friend might actually create distance.

ハッピーバースデー (Happii baasudee)

English loanwords are thoroughly integrated into modern Japanese, and ハッピーバースデー is one of the most commonly used. You will see it on birthday cakes, in LINE messages (Japan's dominant messaging app), on party decorations, and across social media. It carries a modern, fun connotation and is particularly popular among younger Japanese speakers.

The Japanese Birthday Song

おめでとう or ハッピーバースデートゥーユー (Birthday song)

Unlike many countries that have translated the birthday song into their own language, Japan predominantly sings it in English, or rather, in the Japanese-accented English approximation. The lyrics follow the original melody:

ハッピーバースデートゥーユー ハッピーバースデートゥーユー ハッピーバースデーディア [name] ハッピーバースデートゥーユー

Some groups, particularly at children's parties or traditional family celebrations, may use the Japanese version with お誕生日おめでとう as the lyrics, but the English version dominates. According to NHK, this reflects Japan's broader pattern of adopting Western celebration customs while adding uniquely Japanese elements.

Formal and Written Birthday Wishes

For business contexts, writing to seniors, and formal occasions. Japanese formal language (keigo) elevates birthday wishes to expressions of deep respect.

心よりお祝い申し上げます (Kokoro yori oiwai moushiagemasu)

申し上げます (moushiagemasu) is the humble form of "to say/offer," placing the speaker below the recipient. This level of formality is appropriate for birthday messages to company executives, respected clients, or other figures deserving deep respect. You would typically find this in a formal birthday card or email, not in spoken conversation.

素敵な一年になりますように (Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu you ni)

The ように (you ni) construction is essential for Japanese wish-making. It expresses a hope or desire and appears in many celebratory contexts, from birthday wishes to New Year prayers at shrines. This particular phrase is one of the most popular additions to birthday messages on LINE and Instagram in Japan.

願いが叶いますように (Negai ga kanaimasu you ni)

Like the candle-blowing tradition it accompanies, this phrase reflects the Western birthday customs that Japan adopted during the postwar period. The tradition of making a silent wish before blowing out candles is now thoroughly Japanese, and this phrase serves as the verbal encouragement from onlookers. You can explore more Japanese expressions through our Japanese learning page.

Casual Birthday Expressions

Among friends and in informal settings, Japanese birthday language gets creative and affectionate.

おめでとう (Omedetou)

おめでとう is the core congratulatory word in Japanese. Its root is めでたい (medetai), an adjective meaning "auspicious" or "worthy of celebration." This single word is the foundation of virtually all Japanese congratulatory expressions. At a birthday party where context is clear, just saying おめでとう! is perfectly natural among friends.

これからも元気でいてね (Kore kara mo genki de ite ne)

Health is deeply valued in Japanese culture, and wishing someone continued 元気 (genki = energy, health, vitality) is one of the most heartfelt things you can say. This phrase is particularly meaningful for elderly relatives. The ね (ne) particle at the end adds a soft, affectionate touch.

お祝いしよう！ (Oiwai shiyou!)

Japanese birthday celebrations among friends often involve 飲み会 (nomikai = drinking party), 焼肉 (yakiniku = grilled meat), or カラオケ (karaoke). This phrase kicks off the celebration planning with enthusiasm.

Milestone Birthday Celebrations

Japanese culture recognizes specific birthday milestones with dedicated names and celebrations, especially in later life.

還暦おめでとうございます (Kanreki omedetou gozaimasu)

The 還暦 celebration is one of Japan's most culturally significant birthday milestones. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the tradition dates back centuries and is rooted in the Chinese zodiac calendar system. After the 60th birthday, Japanese culture recognizes 古希 (Koki, 70th), 喜寿 (Kiju, 77th), 傘寿 (Sanju, 80th), 米寿 (Beiju, 88th, especially auspicious because the kanji for 88 resembles the character for rice, 米), and 白寿 (Hakuju, 99th).

Gift-Giving Language

Birthday gift exchange in Japan follows specific etiquette. These phrases help you handle the ritual gracefully.

つまらないものですが (Tsumaranai mono desu ga)

This phrase exemplifies 謙遜 (kenson = humility), a foundational value in Japanese social interaction. Even if you are giving an expensive, thoughtfully chosen gift, presenting it as "nothing much" shows proper humility. The Japan Foundation notes that this phrase, while increasingly considered old-fashioned by younger generations, remains standard in formal and semi-formal gift-giving.

乾杯！ (Kanpai!)

乾杯 literally means "dry cup," the idea being that you drain your glass completely. At birthday 飲み会, the toast is an essential ritual. An important etiquette note: when toasting with someone senior to you, hold your glass slightly lower than theirs. This subtle gesture shows respect and is noticed by Japanese people.

How to Respond to Japanese Birthday Wishes

Practice With Real Japanese Content

Reading about birthday phrases builds your vocabulary, but hearing native speakers use them in natural conversation is what creates real fluency. Japanese anime, dramas, and films are filled with birthday scenes, from the elaborate surprise parties in slice-of-life anime to the heartfelt family celebrations in Japanese cinema.

Wordy lets you watch Japanese movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap any phrase to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from authentic conversations with natural intonation and emotion.

For more Japanese content, explore our blog for language guides including the best movies to learn Japanese. You can also visit our Japanese learning page to start practicing with real content today.