Translation guide
In Japan, longevity celebrations mark specific milestone ages with traditional gifts, colors, and rituals. The most common are kanreki (60th birthday) and koki (70th birthday).
The learner wants to refer to the concept of a celebration of long life in general, or ask about such events.
The most direct and common term for a longevity celebration. Can be used for any such event.
祖父の長寿祝いに家族が集まった。
The family gathered for my grandfather's longevity celebration.
A more formal or written term for celebrating longevity, often used in official contexts or on congratulatory items.
賀寿の宴が開かれた。
A longevity celebration banquet was held.
The learner wants to know the special names and customs for particular ages.
60th birthday celebration. The person wears a red vest (chanchanko) and sits on a red cushion, symbolizing rebirth as the zodiac cycle returns to the start.
父の還暦に赤いちゃんちゃんこを贈った。
For my father's 60th birthday, we gave him a red vest.
70th birthday celebration. Derived from a Chinese poem, 'Koki' means 'rarely reached age.' Purple is the associated color.
77th birthday celebration. The character 喜 can be written in a cursive style that resembles the characters for 七十七 (77).
80th birthday celebration. The character 傘 can be broken down into 八 and 十, suggesting 80.
88th birthday celebration. The character 米 can be split into 八十八 (88).
90th birthday celebration. The character 卒 can be read as 'so' and resembles 九十 (90) in its abbreviated form.
卒寿を迎えられたことを心からお祝いします。
I sincerely congratulate you on reaching your 90th birthday.
99th birthday celebration. The character 白 resembles 百 (100) minus one stroke, implying 99.
The learner wants to express the action of celebrating someone's long life, not just the event name.
To celebrate longevity. A natural verb phrase for the act of honoring someone's long life.
家族みんなで祖母の長寿を祝った。
The whole family celebrated our grandmother's long life.
To hold a longevity celebration. Slightly more formal or explicit than 長寿を祝う.
来月、父の長寿のお祝いをする予定です。
We plan to hold a longevity celebration for my father next month.
Many longevity celebrations have traditional colors: red for 60th, purple for 70th, yellow for 88th, white for 99th. Common gifts include a chanchanko (vest) and a cushion in the corresponding color.
While 誕生日 (たんじょうび) means 'birthday' in general, the special terms like 還暦 refer specifically to culturally significant longevity milestones. Using the specific term shows cultural awareness.
For my grandmother's 70th birthday celebration, we prepared a purple cushion.
My grandfather, who celebrated his 77th birthday, is very energetic.
For the 80th birthday celebration, we took a family photo.
For the 88th birthday celebration, we give a yellow vest.
The 99th birthday celebration is an important milestone just before turning 100.