Translation guide
How to wish someone a happy birthday in Japanese, from casual to formal.
お誕生日おめでとう
Happy birthday!
The most common and natural way to say 'happy birthday' in Japanese.
The standard, polite way to say 'happy birthday'. Suitable for most situations.
お誕生日おめでとう！
Happy birthday!
A slightly more casual version, dropping the honorific お. Common among friends.
誕生日おめでとう！
Happy birthday!
The most polite form, using ございます. Appropriate for superiors, elders, or formal situations.
お誕生日おめでとうございます。
Happy birthday. (formal)
The English loanword 'happy birthday'. Used in casual, trendy, or playful contexts, often in writing or among young people.
ハッピーバースデー！
Happy birthday!
You can add the person's name before the phrase, usually with a title like さん or くん. For example: 田中さん、お誕生日おめでとう (Tanaka-san, happy birthday).
田中さん、お誕生日おめでとう。
Tanaka-san, happy birthday.
Use お誕生日おめでとう for most people. Drop お for close friends. Add ございます for bosses, teachers, or formal letters.