祝いわう

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

celebrate; congratulate; observe a festival

The basic use: to celebrate a happy event, congratulate someone, or mark an occasion or festival. The thing celebrated is usually marked with を.

• 家か族ぞくで母ははの誕たん生じょう日びを祝いわった。

  We celebrated my mother's birthday as a family.

• 村むらでは秋あきになると収しゅう穫かく祭さいを祝いわう。

  In the village, they observe the harvest festival in autumn.

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

give a celebratory gift; drink in celebration; celebrate by doing something

Used when the celebration is expressed through an action such as giving a gift, making a toast, or drinking together. Often appears as 〜を祝って followed by the concrete action.

• 卒そつ業ぎょうを祝いわって、父ちちが時計とけいを贈おくってくれた。

  To celebrate my graduation, my father gave me a watch.

• 優ゆう勝しょうを祝いわって、みんなでビールを飲のんだ。

  We drank beer together to celebrate the victory.

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

wish for good fortune; pray for happiness; toast someone's future

A more ceremonial or formula-like use: to express wishes for someone's future happiness, success, or good fortune, often in speeches or toasts. It overlaps with celebrating but focuses on the wished-for future.

• 新しん郎ろう新しん婦ぷの幸しあわせを祝いわって、全ぜん員いんで乾かん杯ぱいした。

  Everyone made a toast to the bride and groom's happiness.

• 卒そつ業ぎょう生せいの前ぜん途とを祝いわって、先せん生せいが励はげましの言こと葉ばを贈おくった。

  The teacher offered words of encouragement, wishing the graduates well in their future.