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A2 noun 9 min read

誕生日

tanjōbi

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 誕生日 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 誕生日 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the basic identification of the word '誕生日' (tanjōbi). This includes knowing how to state their own birthday using basic sentence patterns like 'Watashi no tanjoubi wa [Month] [Day] desu.' They should also learn the basic greeting 'O-tanjoubi omedetou' to wish peers a happy birthday. At this stage, the focus is on simple nouns and the 'Desu/Masu' polite form. Learners should be able to recognize the kanji for 'day' (日) and 'life' (生), which are common A1 kanji. The goal is survival-level communication: being able to answer a question about when their birthday is and acknowledging someone else's special day.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '誕生日' to include more descriptive sentences and social interactions. They should be able to talk about gifts (purezento) and basic plans using particles like 'ni' and 'o'. For example, 'Tanjoubi ni keki o tabemashita' (I ate cake on my birthday). A2 learners should also begin to understand the honorific 'o' prefix and when it is appropriate to use 'O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu' versus the shorter version. They will likely encounter the word in simple reading passages about hobbies or family members. At this level, the focus is on expanding the verbs associated with birthdays, such as 'morau' (to receive) and 'ageru' (to give).

By B1, learners should be comfortable using '誕生日' in complex sentences involving relative clauses and various conjunctions. They can describe past birthday experiences in detail, such as 'Kinou wa tomodachi ga tanjoubi pa-ti o hiraite kuremashita' (Yesterday, my friend threw a birthday party for me). B1 learners should also understand the difference between 'Tanjoubi' and 'Seinen-gappi' and use them correctly in context. They can participate in discussions about cultural differences in birthday celebrations and use the word to talk about future hopes or regrets. Their vocabulary should include related terms like 'kinenbi' (anniversary) and 'iwai' (celebration).

At the B2 level, '誕生日' is used in more abstract and formal contexts. Learners should be able to discuss the societal implications of birthdays, such as the 'Coming of Age' (Seijin) ceremony or the changing traditions in Japan. They can use the word in formal speeches or letters, employing appropriate Keigo (honorific language). B2 learners should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions or metaphorical uses of 'birth' (tanjou) in business or news contexts, such as the 'birth of a new company' (atarashii kaisha no tanjou). They can read articles about demographic shifts (low birth rates) where 'tanjou' might appear as a root word.

At the C1 level, the learner has a nuanced understanding of '誕生日' and its kanji components. They can appreciate the literary use of the word in novels or poetry, where it might symbolize renewal or the passage of time. They are capable of discussing complex topics like the 'Kazoedoshi' system versus the 'Man-nenrei' system in historical contexts. C1 learners can use 'tanjou' in high-level academic or professional writing to describe the origin or inception of ideas, movements, or technologies. They understand the subtle social pressures associated with gift-giving on birthdays in Japanese corporate culture and can navigate these situations with native-like fluency.

At the C2 level, '誕生日' is just one of many ways the learner can refer to the concept of birth and anniversaries. They possess a deep historical understanding of how birthdays have been celebrated in Japan from the Heian period to the present. They can analyze the etymology of the kanji 誕 and its historical usage in classical Chinese and Japanese. C2 learners can engage in philosophical debates about the meaning of birth and existence, using 'tanjou' as a central theme. They are indistinguishable from a native speaker in their ability to use the word across all registers, from slang to the most formal imperial court language, and can detect subtle emotional nuances in how the word is delivered.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

誕生日 in 30 Seconds

Tanjoubi means birthday and is used for annual celebrations of one's birth.
Add 'o' (Otanjoubi) to sound polite when talking to others.
Commonly used with verbs like 'iwau' (celebrate) and 'mukaeru' (reach).
Essential for social interactions, gift-giving, and filling out documents.

The word 誕生日 (tanjōbi) is the standard Japanese term for 'birthday.' It is composed of three kanji characters: 誕 (birth), 生 (life/birth), and 日 (day). When combined, they literally signify the day on which a person was born. In Japanese society, birthdays are celebrated with increasing enthusiasm, though the traditional way of counting age, known as kazoedoshi, once prioritized the New Year as the collective birthday for everyone. Today, however, individual birthdays are the norm for celebration, gift-giving, and social recognition. This word is essential for anyone learning Japanese as it appears in everyday conversations, official documents, and social media interactions. Whether you are filling out a form at a ward office or wishing a friend a happy day, understanding the nuances of this word is crucial. It is often preceded by the honorific prefix 'o' (お) to become お誕生日 (o-tanjōbi) when referring to someone else's birthday, which adds a layer of politeness and respect typical of Japanese social harmony.

Literal Meaning: The day of birth or the anniversary of one's birth.

Honorific Form: Otanjoubi (お誕生日) - used when speaking to or about others to show respect.

Grammatical Category: Noun (Meishi). It can function as the subject, object, or part of a possessive phrase.

今日は私の誕生日です。(Kyou wa watashi no tanjoubi desu.) - Today is my birthday.

お誕生日おめでとうございます！(O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu!) - Happy Birthday!

誕生日に何をしたいですか？(Tanjoubi ni nani o shitai desu ka?) - What do you want to do on your birthday?

彼は誕生日プレゼントをくれました。(Kare wa tanjoubi purezento o kuremashita.) - He gave me a birthday present.

来週の土曜日は母の誕生日です。(Raishuu no doyoubi wa haha no tanjoubi desu.) - Next Saturday is my mother's birthday.

The word is also deeply embedded in the concept of gift culture in Japan. When someone mentions their birthday, there is often an implicit expectation of a small gesture or a 'purezento' (present). Furthermore, the word appears in more formal contexts such as 'Seinen-gappi' (date of birth), which is used on passports and legal documents. However, in conversation, 'Tanjoubi' remains the undisputed king of terms. Understanding its usage helps learners navigate social obligations and celebrations with ease. The word bridges the gap between traditional values and modern Westernized celebrations, making it a fascinating study in linguistic evolution.

Using 誕生日 (tanjōbi) in a sentence requires an understanding of Japanese sentence particles and verb collocations. Most commonly, it is used with the particle 'wa' (は) to identify a birthday or 'ni' (に) to indicate the time when something happens. For example, 'Tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka?' (When is your birthday?) is a standard question for getting to know someone. The word can also be paired with verbs like 'iwau' (to celebrate), 'mukaeru' (to reach/greet), or 'wasureru' (to forget). In complex sentences, it often acts as a modifier for other nouns, such as 'tanjoubi ka-do' (birthday card) or 'tanjoubi pa-ti' (birthday party). The flexibility of the word allows it to be used in both formal speeches and casual text messages.

Question Form: [Name]さんの誕生日はいつですか？ (When is [Name]'s birthday?)

Action Form: 友達の誕生日を祝いました。 (I celebrated my friend's birthday.)

Possessive Form: 私の誕生日は三月です。 (My birthday is in March.)

明日、彼女の誕生日パーティーがあります。(Ashita, kanojo no tanjoubi pa-ti ga arimasu.) - Tomorrow, there is a birthday party for her.

父の誕生日にネクタイをあげました。(Chichi no tanjoubi ni nekutai o agemashita.) - I gave a tie for my father's birthday.

二十歳の誕生日は特別です。(Hatachi no tanjoubi wa tokubetsu desu.) - The 20th birthday is special.

Furthermore, in written Japanese, 'Tanjoubi' is often followed by the particle 'o' when it is the object of a verb. For instance, 'Tanjoubi o mukaeru' is a more literary or formal way to say someone is having their birthday. In casual conversation, you might hear people say 'Tanjoubi da!' (It's [my] birthday!) with a sense of excitement. Because Japanese is a pro-drop language, the subject (like 'I' or 'You') is often omitted if it is clear from the context. This makes the word 'Tanjoubi' stand out as the central focus of the sentence. Whether you are writing a polite email to a colleague or a casual message to a classmate, the word remains stable in its meaning but varies in its surrounding level of politeness.

You will hear 誕生日 (tanjōbi) in a vast array of settings across Japan. In the workplace, it might come up during small talk or when planning a small office gathering. In schools, students frequently ask each other about their birthdays to find out their zodiac signs or simply to be friendly. On Japanese television, variety shows often celebrate the birthdays of famous 'talents' or idols with elaborate cakes and surprise segments. In retail environments, you will hear it during 'birthday sales' or when signing up for loyalty cards that offer 'tanjoubi tokuten' (birthday benefits). It is a word that transcends social class and age groups, making it one of the most frequently used nouns in the Japanese language.

デパートで「誕生日キャンペーン」の放送を聞きました。(Depa-to de 'tanjoubi kyanpe-n' no housou o kikimashita.) - I heard an announcement for a 'birthday campaign' at the department store.

レストランで誕生日の歌が流れています。(Resutoran de tanjoubi no uta ga nagarete imasu.) - A birthday song is playing in the restaurant.

SNSで友達の誕生日の通知が来ました。(SNS de tomodachi no tanjoubi no tsuuchi ga kimashita.) - I got a birthday notification for my friend on social media.

In families, the word is used with great warmth. Parents might discuss their children's 'tanjoubi' months in advance. In romantic relationships, the 'tanjoubi' is considered a major event, often involving dinner at a nice restaurant or a thoughtfully chosen gift. Even in literature and anime, the revelation of a character's birthday is a common trope used to build a connection with the audience. Because the Japanese calendar is filled with various holidays and seasonal events, the individual 'tanjoubi' serves as a unique anchor point for personal celebration within the broader cultural framework. Whether it is whispered in a quiet moment or announced over a loudspeaker, the word always carries a positive, celebratory connotation.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is forgetting the honorific o- when talking about someone else's birthday. While you can say 'watashi no tanjoubi' (my birthday), saying '[Name]-san no tanjoubi' without the 'o' can sound slightly impolite or overly casual in a formal setting. Another mistake involves the date format. In English, we often say 'October 5th,' but in Japanese, you must say '10-gatsu 5-nichi.' Forgetting the specific counters for days (like tsuitchi for the 1st or hatsuka for the 20th) when stating a birthday is a frequent hurdle for beginners.

Mistake 1: Politeness: Using 'Tanjoubi omedetou' to a boss. (Correct: 'O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu')

Mistake 2: Date Counters: Saying 'Ju-ichi nichi' instead of 'Tsuitachi' for the 1st of the month.

Mistake 3: Word Choice: Confusing 'Tanjoubi' with 'Seinen-gappi' in casual talk.

❌ 先生、誕生日おめでとう。 (Too casual for a teacher)

✅ 先生、お誕生日おめでとうございます。 (Correct polite form)

Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the particle usage after 'tanjoubi.' While 'ni' is used for the specific day of the event, 'wa' is used when 'birthday' is the topic. Using them interchangeably can confuse the meaning of the sentence. For example, 'Tanjoubi ni ikimasu' means 'I will go on my birthday,' whereas 'Tanjoubi wa ikimasu' could mean 'As for my birthday, I will go.' Lastly, some learners try to pluralize 'Tanjoubi' as in 'birthdays.' In Japanese, nouns do not change form for plurality, so 'tanjoubi' can mean one birthday or many, depending on the context. Paying attention to these small details will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

While 誕生日 (tanjōbi) is the most versatile word, there are several related terms that you should know to expand your vocabulary. 生年月日 (seinen-gappi) is the formal term for 'date of birth,' used exclusively on forms and official records. バースデー (baasudee) is the loanword from English, often used in commercial contexts or to sound modern and 'cool.' For specific milestone birthdays, Japan has unique terms like 還暦 (kanreki) for the 60th birthday, which is a significant celebration of completing one's zodiac cycle. Understanding the difference between these terms will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

Seinen-gappi (生年月日): Formal 'Date of Birth'. Used for passports, bank accounts, and medical forms.

Baasudee (バースデー): Katakana loanword. Used in marketing, party supplies, and casual settings.

Tanjousai (誕生祭): Birthday Festival. Often used for celebrities, historical figures, or religious deities.

書類に生年月日を記入してください。(Shorui ni seinen-gappi o kinyuu shite kudasai.) - Please fill in your date of birth on the document.

ハッピーバースデー！ (Happii Baasudee!) - Happy Birthday! (Katakana style)

Another interesting term is 記念日 (kinenbi), which means 'anniversary.' While a birthday is a type of anniversary, 'kinenbi' is usually reserved for wedding anniversaries, the day a couple started dating, or a company's founding day. If you want to say 'Happy Birthday' in a very poetic or old-fashioned way, you might encounter 誕辰 (tanshin), though this is extremely rare in modern speech. By mastering these alternatives, you gain a deeper insight into how Japanese speakers categorize time and personal milestones. It also allows you to recognize more complex vocabulary in reading materials like newspapers or novels.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Japan, people didn't celebrate individual birthdays. Everyone became one year older on New Year's Day. The concept of individual birthdays became popular after the Meiji Restoration.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tændʒoʊbi/

US /tændʒoʊbi/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'Tanjoubi', the pitch usually starts low on 'ta' and rises on 'n-jou-bi'.

Rhymes With

Kyoubi (Nowadays) Youbi (Day of the week) Houbi (Reward) Soubi (Equipment) Koubi (Mating) Joubi (Regularly kept) Seibi (Maintenance) Keibi (Security)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jou' as two separate sounds instead of a single long vowel.
Shortening the 'n' sound; it should be a full beat.
Pronouncing 'bi' like 'bye' instead of 'bee'.
Missing the pitch rise, making it sound flat or unnatural.
Adding a stress on the wrong syllable like English.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji are common but the first one '誕' is slightly complex for absolute beginners.

Writing 3/5

Writing '誕' correctly requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 1/5

Very distinct sound, easy to recognize in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

日 (Day) 生 (Life) いつ (When) おめでとう (Congratulations) 私 (I)

Learn Next

プレゼント (Present) ケーキ (Cake) 祝う (Celebrate) 年齢 (Age) 月 (Month)

Advanced

還暦 (60th birthday) 生年月日 (Date of birth) 記念日 (Anniversary) 生誕 (Historical birth) 降誕 (Religious birth)

Grammar to Know

Date Formatting

5月10日 (May 10th). Months always come before days.

Honorific Prefix 'O'

お誕生日 (O-tanjoubi). Used to show respect to the listener's birthday.

Particle 'Ni' for Time

誕生日にパーティーをします。 (I will have a party on my birthday.)

Giving and Receiving Verbs

プレゼントをあげます / もらいます。 (Give/Receive a present.)

Adjective Past Tense

誕生日は楽しかったです。 (The birthday was fun.)

Examples by Level

私の誕生日は四月です。

My birthday is in April.

Watashi no (my) + tanjoubi (birthday) + wa (topic marker).

誕生日はいつですか？

When is your birthday?

Itsu (when) is the question word.

お誕生日おめでとう！

Happy Birthday!

Casual greeting for friends.

誕生日にケーキを食べます。

I eat cake on my birthday.

Particle 'ni' indicates the time.

これは誕生日のプレゼントです。

This is a birthday present.

Tanjoubi no (birthday's) modifies purezento.

誕生日は明日です。

My birthday is tomorrow.

Ashita (tomorrow) is the time.

お誕生日は何日ですか？

What day is your birthday?

Nan-nichi (what day) asks for the date.

母の誕生日に花をあげました。

I gave flowers for my mother's birthday.

Ageru (to give) is used for others.

誕生日に友達を呼びました。

I invited friends on my birthday.

Yobu (to call/invite) in past tense.

お誕生日おめでとうございます。

Happy Birthday (polite).

Gozaimasu adds formality.

誕生日に何をもらいましたか？

What did you receive for your birthday?

Morau (to receive) in past tense.

来週は父の誕生日です。

Next week is my father's birthday.

Raishuu (next week).

誕生日のパーティーは楽しかったです。

The birthday party was fun.

Tanoshikatta (was fun) is past tense adjective.

誕生日にレストランへ行きました。

I went to a restaurant on my birthday.

Directional particle 'e' or 'ni'.

誕生日のカードを書きました。

I wrote a birthday card.

Kaku (to write) in past tense.

自分の誕生日はあまり好きじゃないです。

I don't really like my own birthday.

Suki janai (don't like) + amari (not really).

誕生日に何が欲しいか教えてください。

Please tell me what you want for your birthday.

Hoshii (want) + oshiete (please tell).

彼女の誕生日のために、特別なケーキを予約しました。

I reserved a special cake for her birthday.

Tame ni (for the sake of).

誕生日は家族と一緒に過ごすつもりです。

I plan to spend my birthday with my family.

Tsumori (intention/plan).

誕生日にメッセージをくれてありがとう。

Thank you for giving me a message on my birthday.

Te-kureru (to do something for me).

去年、誕生日に時計をもらったのを覚えていますか？

Do you remember that I got a watch for my birthday last year?

Oboete imasu ka (do you remember).

誕生日は一年に一度の大切な日です。

A birthday is an important day once a year.

Ichinen ni ichido (once a year).

忙しくて、彼の誕生日を忘れてしまいました。

I was busy and accidentally forgot his birthday.

Te-shimau (regrettable action).

誕生日のプレゼントに何をあげるか迷っています。

I am undecided about what to give as a birthday present.

Mayotte iru (to be lost/undecided).

誕生日は自分が生まれたことに感謝する日です。

A birthday is a day to be grateful for being born.

Kansha suru (to be grateful).

誕生日に合わせて、新しいプロジェクトが始まりました。

A new project started to coincide with the birthday.

Ni awasete (to coincide with).

彼は誕生日にふさわしい豪華な食事を用意した。

He prepared a luxurious meal suitable for a birthday.

Fusawashii (suitable/appropriate).

誕生日の祝い方は国によって様々です。

The way birthdays are celebrated varies by country.

Kuni ni yotte (depending on the country).

誕生日のサプライズが成功して、彼女は泣き出した。

The birthday surprise succeeded, and she started crying.

Dasu (to start suddenly).

誕生日を迎えるたびに、一年の早さを感じます。

Every time I have a birthday, I feel how fast the year goes.

Tabi ni (every time).

誕生日に贈る言葉として、何が一番良いでしょうか。

What would be the best words to give as a birthday message?

Okuru kotoba (words to give/gift).

誕生日の朝、小鳥のさえずりで目が覚めた。

On the morning of my birthday, I woke up to the chirping of birds.

Saezuri (chirping).

誕生日は単なる加齢の象徴ではなく、再生の機会でもある。

A birthday is not merely a symbol of aging, but also an opportunity for rebirth.

Tannaru (mere) + Saisei (rebirth).

創業百周年の誕生日に、会社は新たなビジョンを掲げた。

On the 100th anniversary 'birthday' of its founding, the company announced a new vision.

Kagegeru (to hoist/announce).

誕生日の喜びを分かち合うことで、人間関係は深まる。

By sharing the joy of a birthday, human relationships deepen.

Wakachiau (to share).

彼の誕生日に贈られた詩は、多くの人々の心を打った。

The poem gifted on his birthday touched the hearts of many.

Kokoro o utsu (to touch the heart).

誕生日の儀式は、共同体におけるアイデンティティを確認する場だ。

Birthday rituals are a place to confirm identity within a community.

Kakunin suru (to confirm).

誕生日に寄せて、これまでの人生を振り返ってみる。

On the occasion of my birthday, I look back on my life so far.

Ni yosete (on the occasion of).

誕生日の喧騒から離れて、一人で静かに過ごすのも悪くない。

It's not bad to spend time quietly alone, away from the birthday hustle and bustle.

Kensou (bustle/noise).

誕生日の贈り物は、物質的な価値よりも心が重要である。

In birthday gifts, the heart is more important than material value.

Busshitsuteki (materialistic).

誕生日の刹那に、生の重みを再認識せざるを得ない。

In the moment of a birthday, one cannot help but re-recognize the weight of life.

Sezaru o enai (cannot help but).

宇宙の誕生日に思いを馳せると、人間の存在はあまりに小さい。

Reflecting on the 'birthday' of the universe, human existence is so small.

Omoi o haseru (to let one's thoughts wander to).

誕生日は、死へのカウントダウンであるという冷徹な見方もある。

There is also a cold view that a birthday is a countdown to death.

Reitetsu (cold/objective).

誕生日の祝典は、権力の誇示として利用されることもある。

Birthday celebrations are sometimes used as a display of power.

Koji (display/parade).

誕生日に秘められた運命の糸を、誰が解き明かせるだろうか。

Who can unravel the threads of fate hidden within a birthday?

Tokiakaseru (to unravel/clarify).

誕生日の記憶は、歳月と共に色褪せることなく魂に刻まれる。

Memories of birthdays are engraved in the soul without fading with the years.

Iroaseru (to fade).

誕生日のパラドックスについて、数学的な見地から論じる。

Discuss the birthday paradox from a mathematical standpoint.

Kenchi (standpoint).

誕生日の到来を、畏敬の念をもって迎え入れる。

Accept the arrival of a birthday with a sense of awe.

Ikei no nen (sense of awe).

Common Collocations

誕生日を祝う

誕生日プレゼント

誕生日パーティー

誕生日ケーキ

誕生日を迎える

誕生日カード

誕生日メール

誕生日特典

誕生日占い

誕生日休暇

Common Phrases

お誕生日おめでとうございます

— The polite way to say Happy Birthday.

先生、お誕生日おめでとうございます。

誕生日はいつ？

— Casual way to ask 'When is your birthday?'.

ねえ、誕生日はいつ？

誕生日おめでとう

— Casual 'Happy Birthday' for friends.

田中くん、誕生日おめでとう！

誕生日お祝い

— A birthday celebration or gift.

誕生日お祝いに食事に行こう。

誕生日の日

— The actual day of the birthday.

誕生日の日は雨でした。

誕生日月

— The month in which one's birthday falls.

私の誕生日月はセールが多い。

誕生日会

— A birthday gathering/party.

幼稚園で誕生日会があった。

誕生日ギフト

— A birthday gift (loanword style).

素敵な誕生日ギフトをありがとう。

誕生日ソング

— A birthday song.

みんなで誕生日ソングを歌った。

誕生日ディナー

— A special birthday dinner.

今夜は誕生日ディナーです。

Often Confused With

誕生日 vs 生年月日 (Seinen-gappi)

Seinen-gappi is ONLY for the full date of birth (Year/Month/Day) on forms. You never wish someone 'Happy Seinen-gappi'.

誕生日 vs 記念日 (Kinenbi)

Kinenbi is a general anniversary. All birthdays are kinenbi, but not all kinenbi are birthdays.

誕生日 vs 出産 (Shussan)

Shussan refers specifically to the medical act of giving birth, not the anniversary of it.

Idioms & Expressions

"誕生日が来る"

— To have a birthday (literally 'the birthday comes').

もうすぐ誕生日が来ます。

Neutral

"誕生日を汚す"

— To do something shameful on a day that should be celebrated (rare).

そんな行動は誕生日を汚すものだ。

Literary

"第二の誕生日"

— A day when someone's life changed significantly, like a 'second birth'.

手術に成功した日は、私の第二の誕生日です。

Metaphorical

"誕生日を数える"

— To get older (literally 'to count birthdays').

誕生日を数えるのが嫌になった。

Casual

"誕生日の再来"

— Something as wonderful as having a birthday again.

宝くじに当たって、誕生日の再来のようだ。

Casual

"誕生日を忘れる"

— To forget a birthday, often implying a social gaffe.

妻の誕生日を忘れるのは危険だ。

Common

"誕生日を棒に振る"

— To waste or ruin one's birthday.

風邪をひいて誕生日を棒に振った。

Casual

"誕生日を飾る"

— To make a birthday special or to mark an achievement on that day.

優勝で誕生日を飾った。

Literary

"誕生日を祝う間もない"

— To be so busy that one cannot even celebrate a birthday.

仕事が忙しくて誕生日を祝う間もなかった。

Neutral

"誕生日の誓い"

— A resolution made on one's birthday.

誕生日の誓いを立てる。

Personal

Easily Confused

誕生日 vs 元旦 (Gantan)

Both involve the concept of 'beginning' or 'day'.

Gantan is New Year's Day morning, Tanjoubi is a personal birthday.

元旦に初詣に行きました。

誕生日 vs 命日 (Meinichi)

Both are annual anniversaries of a specific life event.

Meinichi is the anniversary of a death; Tanjoubi is for birth.

今日は祖父の命日です。

誕生日 vs 生誕 (Seitan)

Both mean 'birth'.

Seitan is used for historical figures or great people (e.g., Buddha's birth).

ベートーヴェン生誕250周年。

誕生日 vs 誕生 (Tanjou)

It is the root of Tanjoubi.

Tanjou is the noun 'birth' (the event), Tanjoubi is the 'day'.

新しい星の誕生。

誕生日 vs バースデー (Baasudee)

Direct translation.

Baasudee is Katakana and used more in commercial/modern settings.

バースデーカードを送る。

Sentence Patterns

私の誕生日は[Month]です。

私の誕生日は三月です。

お誕生日おめでとう！

誕生日に[Noun]を[Verb]ます。

誕生日にケーキを食べます。

[Name]さんの誕生日はいつですか？

田中さんの誕生日はいつですか？

誕生日のために[Noun]を準備しました。

誕生日のためにパーティーを準備しました。

[Noun]は私の誕生日プレゼントです。

この時計は私の誕生日プレゼントです。

誕生日を迎えるたびに[Clause]。

誕生日を迎えるたびに成長を感じます。

誕生日に寄せて、[Clause]。

誕生日に寄せて、感謝の気持ちを伝えます。

Word Family

Nouns

誕生 (Birth)

誕生日 (Birthday)

誕生祭 (Birthday Festival)

誕生石 (Birthstone)

Verbs

誕生する (To be born)

誕生日を祝う (To celebrate a birthday)

Adjectives

誕生したての (Newly born)

生まれた (Born)

出産 (Childbirth)

記念日 (Anniversary)

元旦 (New Year's Day)

生年月日 (Date of birth)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in social and personal life.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Tanjoubi omedetou' for a teacher. → O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu.
You must use 'Keigo' (honorifics) for superiors. The short version is too casual and can be seen as rude.
Writing the day before the month. → 10-gatsu 5-nichi (Oct 5th).
Japanese always places the month before the day. '5-nichi 10-gatsu' is incorrect.
Confusing 'Tanjoubi' with 'Kinenbi'. → Use 'Tanjoubi' for birthdays specifically.
While a birthday is an anniversary, using 'Kinenbi' to mean birthday sounds vague and unnatural.
Saying 'Watashi no o-tanjoubi'. → Watashi no tanjoubi.
You generally don't use the honorific 'o' for your own things. It's used for others to show respect.
Forgetting the 'u' in 'Tanjoubi'. → Tan-jou-bi.
The 'jou' is a long vowel. Pronouncing it as 'tan-jo-bi' is a common pronunciation error.

Tips

Gift Wrapping

When giving a birthday present, always ensure it is wrapped beautifully. Most Japanese stores will do this for free or a small fee. It shows you care about the recipient.

Date Order

Always remember the order: Year -> Month -> Day. For example, 1995年8月20日. This is the opposite of the US and some European formats.

Politeness Levels

Match your 'Happy Birthday' to your relationship. Friends: 'Tanjoubi omedetou!' Boss/Elders: 'O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu!'

Katakana Usage

Be prepared to hear 'Baasudee' (バースデー) in stores or on TV. It's the same meaning but used for a more modern, commercial feel.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 誕 (tan) has 15 strokes. Practice the stroke order carefully to ensure the character looks balanced and legible.

Paying the Bill

In many Japanese social groups, if you go out for a birthday dinner, the friends will split the bill for the birthday person so they eat for free.

Related Terms

Learn 'Hatachi' (20 years old). It's a special word for the milestone birthday that marks adulthood in traditional Japanese culture.

SNS Etiquette

It's very common to post a 'Happy Birthday' message on a friend's timeline or send a 'stamp' (sticker) on LINE.

Traditional Age

Be aware that older people might mention 'Kazoedoshi', an old way of counting age where you are 1 year old at birth and gain a year every New Year.

Pitch Accent

Try to keep the 'bi' at the end slightly higher than the 'ta' at the beginning to sound more natural.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tan' (sun tan) you got on a 'Jou' (joyful) 'Bi' (big) day. Your birthday is a joyful big day!

Visual Association

Imagine a baby (Birth/Tan) holding a candle (Life/Jou) on a sun-shaped calendar (Day/Bi).

Word Web

Cake Present Party Age Candle Greeting Surprise Family

Challenge

Try to ask three people 'Tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka?' and write down their answers in Japanese.

Word Origin

The word comes from Middle Chinese roots. 'Tan' (誕) originally meant 'to boast' or 'to enlarge' but came to mean 'birth'. 'Jou' (生) means 'life' or 'to produce'. 'Bi' (日) means 'day'.

Original meaning: The day on which a life was produced/enlarged.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Asking for someone's age or birthday can be sensitive in professional settings. Use 'Seinen-gappi' for forms, but avoid prying in casual talk unless close.

Westerners often have large parties. In Japan, celebrations are often smaller, focused on family or close friends.

The song 'Happy Birthday to You' is sung in English in Japan. The anime 'Osomatsu-san' has a famous birthday episode. The Emperor's Birthday (Tenno Tanjoubi) is a national holiday.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Restaurant

誕生日のプレートをお願いします。
バースデーソングを歌ってください。
誕生日の予約です。
特別なデザートはありますか？

At the Office

お誕生日おめでとうございます。
これ、皆さんからのプレゼントです。
今日は早く帰ります、誕生日なので。
お祝いをしましょう。

On Social Media

誕おめ！
素敵な一年になりますように。
お祝いメッセージありがとう！
今日は私の誕生日です！

At Home

誕生日おめでとう！
何が食べたい？
プレゼント、開けてみて。
ケーキを買ってきたよ。

At a Store

誕生日プレゼントを探しています。
ラッピングをお願いします。
誕生日カードはどこですか？
これは誕生日に人気がありますか？

Conversation Starters

"誕生日はいつですか？ (When is your birthday?)"

"誕生日に何をもらうのが一番嬉しいですか？ (What is the best thing to receive for your birthday?)"

"今までで一番思い出に残っている誕生日は？ (What is your most memorable birthday so far?)"

"誕生日の日は、いつも何をしますか？ (What do you usually do on your birthday?)"

"もうすぐ友達の誕生日なのですが、何かいいアイデアはありますか？ (It's my friend's birthday soon; do you have any good ideas?)"

Journal Prompts

今年の誕生日にしたことを詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about what you did on your birthday this year.)

理想の誕生日の過ごし方について書いてください。 (Write about your ideal way to spend a birthday.)

子供の頃の誕生日の思い出を教えてください。 (Tell me about a birthday memory from your childhood.)

誕生日プレゼントをもらうのとあげるの、どちらが好きですか？ (Do you like receiving or giving birthday presents more?)

「誕生日」という言葉から連想するものを5つ挙げ、その理由を書いてください。 (List five things you associate with the word 'birthday' and explain why.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You should use the full polite form: 'O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu'. Adding 'O' and 'gozaimasu' is essential for showing proper respect in a Japanese workplace.

Tanjoubi is used in conversation and for celebrations. Seinen-gappi is a technical term used for 'Date of Birth' on official forms like passports or applications.

Yes, birthday cake is very common. The most traditional choice is a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, though many varieties are enjoyed today.

This is very casual slang used by young people in text messages or social media. Only use it with very close friends of the same age or younger.

Kanreki is a special 60th birthday celebration. It marks the completion of one full cycle of the 60-year zodiac calendar, symbolizing a 'rebirth'.

Yes, it is polite to bring a small gift. In Japan, the presentation (wrapping) is very important, so make sure it looks nice.

You can say 'O-tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka?' This is polite and standard for most social situations.

The 'O' is a beautifying/honorific prefix. It makes the word sound more refined and shows respect to the person whose birthday it is.

There is no specific 'common' month, but spring (April) is significant because it is the start of the school and fiscal year in Japan.

Actually, most Japanese people sing the English version of 'Happy Birthday to You', though they may pronounce it with a Japanese accent.