Birthdays are special moments across the world 🌍—a time to celebrate life, friendship, and joy. If you’ve ever wondered how to say Happy Birthday in Japanese, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re wishing a Japanese friend, writing a caption for social media, or simply learning the language, knowing birthday greetings in Japanese is both fun and meaningful.
The most common way is “Otanjoubi Omedetou” (お誕生日おめでとう), which means Happy Birthday. But that’s just the start! In Japanese culture, birthday wishes can be sweet, funny, respectful, or even poetic depending on the situation. 🎂🎁
In this article, we’ll not only show you how to say Happy Birthday in Japanese, but also give you unique wishes you can use for friends, family, or loved ones.
🎊 How To Celebrate
In Japan, birthdays are celebrated with a mix of tradition and modern fun:
- 🎂 Families often enjoy a birthday cake (commonly with strawberries and whipped cream).
- 🎁 Gift-giving is thoughtful—often small but meaningful.
- 🎶 Friends may sing the birthday song in Japanese or English.
- 👘 Some people celebrate with cultural touches, like wearing traditional attire.
- 🎉 Kids and adults alike celebrate in karaoke bars, restaurants, or at home with loved ones.
So when you say Happy Birthday in Japanese, you’re not just giving words—you’re sharing in a cultural moment filled with respect and joy.
1. How to Say Happy Birthday in Japanese: Basic Wishes
- Otanjoubi Omedetou 🎉 (Happy Birthday)
- Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu 🙏 (Formal Happy Birthday)
- Subarashii tanjoubi o sugoshite ne (Have a wonderful birthday)
- Tanoshii ichinichi ni narimasu youni (Hope you have a fun day)
- Egao ippai no tanjoubi o (A birthday full of smiles)
- Subete no yume ga kanaimasu youni (May all your dreams come true)
- Subarashii ichinen ni shite kudasai (Have a wonderful year)
- Anata wa watashi no takaramono 💕 (You’re my treasure)
- Korekara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Let’s keep making memories)
- Shiawase na tanjoubi o sugoshite kudasai (Spend a happy birthday)
- Mainichi ga kagayakimasu youni (May every day shine)
- Ureshii tanjoubi ni narimasu youni (Wishing you a joyful birthday)
- Subete no shiawase ga anata ni otozuremasu youni (May happiness come your way)
- Arigatou, anata ga umarete kurete (Thank you for being born)
- Ichiban suki na hito e 💖 (To my favorite person)
- Tokubetsu na hi o tanoshinde (Enjoy your special day)
- Sugoi ichinen ni naru koto o inorimasu (Wishing you an amazing year)
- Kokoro kara no omedetou (Congratulations from the heart)
- Anata ni wa eien no shiawase o (Wishing you eternal happiness)
- Issho ni iwatte ureshii (I’m happy to celebrate with you)
2. Cute & Funny Happy Birthday Wishes in Japanese
- Cake yori amai anata ni 🎂 (Sweeter than cake—you!)
- Tanjoubi wa tabemono no excuse day 🍕 (Birthday = eating day)
- 18 sai ni mieru yo! (You look 18 forever!)
- Mou ichido wakai toki o tanoshinde (Enjoy being young again)
- Tanoshii jikan wa issho ni tobikomu 💃 (Let’s jump into fun times)
- Ke-ki o zenbu tabeyou (Let’s eat all the cake)
- Anata no egao wa dynamite 💣 (Your smile is dynamite)
- Issho ni karaoke party shiyou 🎤 (Let’s karaoke all night)
- Hontou wa tensai ka mo (Maybe you’re actually a genius)
- Oiwai wa mada hajimatta bakari 🎉 (The party has just begun)
- Watashi yori keeki ga suki? (Do you love cake more than me?)
- Subete wa keeki no tame ni 🍰 (It’s all for cake!)
- Tanjoubi wa yasumi no hi dattara ii ne (Wish birthdays were holidays)
- Motto wakaku mieru majutsu wa aru? (Got a spell to look younger?)
- Watashi kara no purezento wa warai desu 😆 (My gift is laughter)
- Sugoi party animal 🦁 (You’re the ultimate party animal)
- Motto neteru toki ga iru kana? (Do you sleep more on birthdays?)
- Baka mitaina tanoshii hi ni shiyou 😂 (Let’s make today ridiculously fun)
- Tanoshimi wa kore kara da (The fun is only beginning)
- Ichi ban kawaii tanjoubi boy/girl 🐰 (Cutest birthday person ever)
3. Romantic Birthday Wishes in Japanese 💖
- Kimi wa boku no sekai 💕 (You’re my world)
- Anata no tame ni umarete yokatta (I’m glad you were born)
- Kimi to sugoshitai (I want to spend today with you)
- Tanjoubi wa futari no ai no hi 💑 (Birthday is our love day)
- Kimi no egao ga watashi no subete (Your smile is everything to me)
- Zutto issho ni itai (I want to be with you forever)
- Issho ni iru koto ga purezento (Being together is the best gift)
- Kimi wa watashi no kagayaki ⭐ (You’re my sparkle)
- Ai wa sekaijuu no takaramono (Love is the greatest treasure)
- Kimi no tame ni uta o utau 🎶 (I’ll sing for you)
- Boku wa itsumo kimi no mikata (I’m always on your side)
- Subete wa kimi no tame (Everything is for you)
- Watashi no ai wa eien ni tsuzuku (My love lasts forever)
- Anata no tame ni subete sasageru (I give everything for you)
- Birthday kiss wa ichi ban no purezento 💋 (A kiss is the best gift)
- Futari no jikan wa ichiban taisetsu (Our time together is precious)
- Issho ni keeki tabeyou (Let’s eat cake together)
- Kimi ga iru kara watashi wa shiawase (I’m happy because of you)
- Kimi wa watashi no unmei (You are my destiny)
- Tanjoubi ni koi mo saku 💐 (Love blooms on your birthday)
4. Formal Birthday Greetings in Japanese
- Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu 🙏 (Formal Happy Birthday)
- Subarashii ichinen ni narimasu youni (Wishing you a great year)
- Shigoto de no seikou o inorimasu (Wishing success at work)
- Kenkou de shiawase na ichinen o (A healthy and happy year ahead)
- Shigoto to jinsei de no kouun o (Good fortune in work and life)
- Mainichi ga shiawase de arimasu youni (May every day be happy)
- Subete no yume ga jitsugen shimasu youni (May your dreams come true)
- Subarashii sensei ni kansha (Thankful for a wonderful teacher)
- Shin no rīdā ni okuru iwai (Wishes for a true leader)
- Oiwai no kimochi o sasagemasu (Sending heartfelt wishes)
- Shiawase na kinenbi ni narimasu youni (May this be a happy milestone)
- Keiken ga subarashii michi o hirakimasu youni (Experience leads to success)
- Subete no kouun ga otozuremasu youni (Wishing you all good luck)
- Anata no michi ga kagayakimasu youni (May your path shine)
- Shin seiki no hajimari o iwau (Celebrating a new chapter)
- Hito to shite no suteki na seichou o (Personal growth wishes)
- Kokoro kara no kansha to iwai (Gratitude and congratulations)
- Shiawase to seikou ga issho ni arimasu youni (Happiness and success together)
- Subete no jikan ga subarashii omoide ni (All time becomes a memory)
- Oiwai no kotoba o sasagemasu (Offering words of celebration)
5. Birthday Wishes for Friends in Japanese 👫
- Ichiban no tomodachi e (To my best friend)
- Issho ni waratte kurete arigatou 😂 (Thanks for laughing with me)
- Tanoshii omoide o motto tsukurou (Let’s make more fun memories)
- Anata wa party no soul 🎉 (You’re the life of the party)
- Tanjoubi wa asobu hi da! (Birthday is play day!)
- Subete wa friendship no tame (Everything for friendship)
- Ichinen mae yori motto sugoku narimashita (You’re even cooler than last year)
- Anata wa baka mitaina tanoshii hito 😂 (You’re ridiculously fun)
- Tomodachi ni natte yokatta (I’m glad we’re friends)
- Issho ni keeki tabeyou (Let’s eat cake together)
- Party no hajimari wa anata da (You’re the start of the party)
- Warai ga tomaranai tomo e (To my laughter buddy)
- Subete no omoide ni kansha (Grateful for all memories)
- Ichiban suteki na tomo e (To my amazing friend)
- Anata wa dynamite energy 💥 (You’re dynamite energy)
- Tomodachi wa eien (Friendship is forever)
- Party animal buddy 🦊 (You’re my party buddy)
- Korekara mo yoroshiku (Let’s keep it going)
- Subarashii tomo e arigatou (Thank you for being wonderful)
- Issho ni oiwai shiyou (Let’s celebrate together)
6. Inspirational Birthday Wishes in Japanese 🌟
- Yume o akiramenai de (Don’t give up on dreams)
- Mainichi ga subarashii chousen (Each day is a challenge)
- Subete no yume ga kanaimasu youni (May all dreams come true)
- Shin no chikara wa anata no naka ni (Strength is within you)
- Ashita wa motto kagayaku ⭐ (Tomorrow will shine more)
- Kokoro o taisetsu ni shiyou (Take care of your heart)
- Kabe wa koeru tame ni aru (Walls are meant to be crossed)
- Subarashii sekai ga matteiru (A wonderful world awaits)
- Jibun o shinjite (Believe in yourself)
- Kibo wa itsumo aru (Hope is always there)
- Issho ni tatakau tomodachi ni (To a friend who fights with me)
- Eien no yume o motte (Hold eternal dreams)
- Mainichi wa atarashii hajimari (Each day is a new start)
- Chousen wa kachi e tsunagaru (Challenges lead to victory)
- Mirai wa akarui (The future is bright)
- Kokoro kara no kibou o okuru (Sending hope from the heart)
- Subete no michi wa hirakareru (All paths open)
- Yume wa anata o michibiku (Dreams guide you)
- Issho ni yume o kanaeyou (Let’s achieve dreams together)
- Anata wa subarashii chikara o motte iru (You have amazing strength)
7. Short & Sweet Japanese Birthday Wishes 🎂
- Omedetou 🎉 (Congrats)
- Tanjoubi omedetou 🎂
- Subete wa anata no tame (All for you)
- Shiawase na ichinichi o (A happy day)
- Kimi wa saikou (You’re the best)
- Ai to yorokobi o 💖
- Issho ni iwatte ureshii (Happy to celebrate with you)
- Tokubetsu na hi o (Special day for you)
- Subarashii ichinen ni (Wonderful year ahead)
- Tanjoubi daisuki! (Love birthdays!)
- Smile day 😊
- Anata wa kagayaku hoshi ⭐
- Mainichi tanoshiku (Enjoy every day)
- Issho ni egao o (Smile together)
- Purezento wa watashi (I’m your gift 😆)
- Arigatou no hi (Day of thanks)
- Subete wa yorokobi ni (Everything into joy)
- Tanjoubi kinenbi (Birthday memory)
- Futari no jikan o (Our time together)
- Yorokobi ippai ni (Full of joy)
FAQs
How do you say Happy Birthday in Japanese?
You say Otanjoubi Omedetou (お誕生日おめでとう).
What is the polite way to say Happy Birthday?
Use Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu for respect.
Do Japanese people celebrate birthdays?
Yes! Modern birthdays often include cake, gifts, and parties.
Can I use English to say Happy Birthday in Japan?
Yes, many Japanese also say Happy Birthday in English.
What is a unique Japanese birthday wish?
You can say Egao ippai no tanjoubi o which means a birthday full of smiles.
Conclusion
Now you know not just how to say Happy Birthday in Japanese, but also unique wishes for every situation—funny, cute, romantic, formal, and inspirational. 🎉
Whether you’re messaging a friend, writing on social media, or surprising a loved one, these greetings will help you celebrate Japanese-style with joy, respect, and love.
Birthdays are universal, but a thoughtful Japanese birthday wish can make the day unforgettable. So next time, don’t just say Happy Birthday—say it with a Japanese twist!
