Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'anniversary' is most commonly 記念日 (きねんび), but the way you express it depends on what kind of anniversary it is. For specific anniversaries like wedding anniversaries, there are set terms. For general anniversaries, you often use the pattern [event]の記念日 or [number]周年.
To refer to the yearly recurrence of a past event, such as a company founding, a historical event, or a personal milestone.
The most common and general word for 'anniversary'. It literally means 'commemoration day'. It can be used for personal anniversaries (like a couple's first date) or institutional ones.
Today is our wedding anniversary.
The company's founding anniversary is next month.
Attach の記念日 to the event name to specify what anniversary it is. This is the most flexible pattern.
We celebrated the anniversary of when we first met.
Used specifically for anniversaries counted in years, often for institutions or events. It follows a number, e.g., 10周年 (10th anniversary).
We will celebrate our 50th anniversary next year.
To refer specifically to a wedding anniversary.
The standard term for 'wedding anniversary'. It is a compound of 結婚 (marriage) + 記念日 (anniversary).
We go out for dinner on our wedding anniversary.
Use this pattern to specify which wedding anniversary (e.g., 10th).
This year is our 10th wedding anniversary.
To refer to the anniversary of someone's death, often observed in Buddhist tradition.
To talk about celebrating an anniversary or the event itself.
記念日 is a general term for any anniversary day, while 周年 is specifically for anniversaries counted in years (e.g., 10周年). You can say 結婚記念日 but not 結婚周年. For company anniversaries, both 創立記念日 and 創立10周年 are possible, but 周年 emphasizes the number of years.
Today is the founding anniversary.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the founding.
アニバーサリー is a casual loanword and can sound inappropriate for solemn anniversaries like death anniversaries or formal company events. Stick to 記念日 or 命日 in those cases.
We're celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary.
Note the use of 周年 with the number of years.
A more formal Buddhist term for the monthly or annual death anniversary. Often used in memorial services.
We hold a memorial service on the anniversary of the death.
We celebrate our anniversary every year.