Translation guide
In Japanese, the anniversary of a person's death is observed with specific terms depending on the number of years since the death, often tied to Buddhist memorial services. The most common general term is 命日 (めいにち), but specific anniversaries like the first, third, and seventh have dedicated names. The concept is culturally significant, and the choice of word depends on context and formality.
To refer to the anniversary of someone's death in a neutral, everyday context.
The most common and general term for the anniversary of a death. Can be used for any year, but often implies the monthly or yearly recurrence. In casual contexts, it may be used without specifying the year.
今日は父の命日です。
Today is the anniversary of my father's death.
命日にお墓参りに行きます。
I will visit the grave on the anniversary of the death.
A more formal or literary term for death anniversary, often used in written contexts or official announcements. Can also refer to the day of the death itself.
忌日法要を営みました。
We held a memorial service on the anniversary of the death.
To refer to a particular anniversary year, such as the first, third, or seventh, which have special significance in Buddhist tradition.
The first anniversary of the death. This is a major memorial service in Japanese Buddhism.
来月は祖母の一周忌です。
Next month is the first anniversary of my grandmother's death.
The second anniversary of the death (counted as the third year by traditional Japanese counting, where the year of death is the first). Often observed with a memorial service.
The sixth anniversary of the death (seventh year by traditional counting). Another significant memorial milestone.
The twelfth anniversary of the death (thirteenth year by traditional counting). Less commonly observed but still part of the traditional cycle.
十三回忌をもって弔い上げとします。
We will conclude the mourning with the twelfth anniversary of the death.
To refer to the monthly recurrence of the death date, often observed in the first year.
The monthly anniversary of a death. Commonly observed during the first year after the death, with visits to the grave or simple offerings.
毎月の月命日にお参りしています。
I visit the grave on the monthly anniversary of the death.
Japanese death anniversaries use traditional counting (数え年), where the year of death is counted as the first year. So 一周忌 is the first anniversary (one year after death), 三回忌 is the second anniversary (third year), and so on. This can be confusing for English speakers.
命日 (めいにち) is the everyday term for death anniversary, while 忌日 (きにち) is more formal and often used in written or ceremonial contexts. 忌日 can also specifically mean the day of death itself.
We will hold a memorial service for the second anniversary of the death.
七回忌を迎えました。
We have reached the sixth anniversary of the death.