Translation guide
The Girls' Festival (Hinamatsuri) is a Japanese celebration on March 3rd, also known as the Doll Festival. This guide explains how to refer to the festival naturally in Japanese.
Referring to the Girls' Festival or Doll Festival as an event.
The most common and natural way to say 'Girls' Festival' or 'Doll Festival' in Japanese. It literally means 'doll festival'.
ひな祭りは三月三日です。
The Girls' Festival is on March 3rd.
ひな祭りにひな人形を飾ります。
We display hina dolls for the Girls' Festival.
A more traditional, poetic name meaning 'Peach Festival'. Often used in formal contexts or on seasonal greeting cards.
桃の節句にはちらし寿司を食べます。
We eat chirashi sushi for the Peach Festival.
Literally 'Girls' Festival', but this phrase is not commonly used in Japanese. It may appear in explanations for non-Japanese, but ひな祭り is the standard term.
Avoid using this phrase in natural conversation; it sounds like a direct translation from English.
三月三日は女の子の節句です。
March 3rd is the Girls' Festival.
Expressing greetings or well-wishes for the Girls' Festival.
A simple and friendly way to say 'Happy Girls' Festival'. Suitable for casual conversation with friends or family.
ひな祭りおめでとう！
Happy Girls' Festival!
A very formal congratulatory message, used in writing or formal speeches.
ひな祭りのお祝いを申し上げます。
I wish you a happy Girls' Festival.
The Girls' Festival is a day to pray for the health and happiness of young girls. Families with daughters display ornamental dolls (ひな人形) and enjoy special foods like chirashi sushi and hishi mochi.