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誕生祝い

B1 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

誕生祝い

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 誕生祝い in 30 Seconds

Explanation 誕生祝い in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn basic greetings. You might not use the word '誕生祝い' (Tanjō-iwai) often yourself, as you will likely stick to '誕生日' (Tanjōbi) and 'プレゼント' (Purezento). However, it is important to recognize the '祝い' (iwai) part, which means celebration. If you see this word, know it is related to a birthday. You can say 'Happy Birthday' as 'お誕生日おめでとう' (O-tanjōbi omedetō). At this level, think of 'Tanjō-iwai' as the 'formal version' of a birthday present or party. Focus on recognizing the Kanji for birth (誕生) and celebration (祝い).

At the A2 level, you can start using '誕生祝い' in basic sentences about giving and receiving. You should understand that '祝い' (iwai) is a noun. You might say '誕生祝いをあげます' (I will give a birthday celebration gift). You will also notice the polite prefix 'O' being used: 'お誕生祝い' (O-tanjō-iwai). At this level, you are learning about Japanese gift-giving culture, and 'Tanjō-iwai' is a key vocabulary word for that. You should be able to distinguish it from other celebrations like '結婚祝い' (Kekkon-iwai - wedding celebration).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '誕生祝い' in various grammatical structures. You can use it with the particle 'に' to show purpose, like '誕生祝いに時計を贈る' (Giving a watch as a birthday gift). You also understand the social nuance: using 'Tanjō-iwai' sounds more mature and polite than just saying 'Purezento.' This is the level where you start writing formal emails or invitations, and 'Tanjō-iwai' is the appropriate word to use for a department head's birthday or a formal family event. You are also expected to know the difference between 'Tanjō-iwai' (the gift/event) and 'Tanjōbi' (the date).

At the B2 level, you use '誕生祝い' to discuss the complexities of Japanese social obligations. You can talk about the etiquette of 'O-iwai,' such as the appropriate amount of money to give as '誕生祝い金' (Tanjō-iwai-kin) or the type of 'Noshi' (gift wrapping paper) to use. You can also use the word in more complex sentences involving passive or causative forms, such as '誕生祝いをしてもらった' (I had a birthday celebration held for me). You understand the subtle difference between this and '誕生会' (Tanjō-kai), which is more focused on the gathering itself.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the historical and cultural connotations of '誕生祝い.' You might encounter this word in literature or formal essays discussing the evolution of Japanese customs. You can use it in a variety of registers, from highly formal business Japanese to nuanced personal writing. You understand how it fits into the broader category of 'Gishiki' (ceremonies) and 'Girei' (etiquette). You can also discuss regional variations in how birthday celebrations are conducted and the specific vocabulary associated with milestone birthdays like Kanreki (60th) or Beiju (88th).

At the C2 level, your mastery of '誕生祝い' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can use the word in sophisticated wordplay, formal speeches, or academic writing about Japanese sociology. You are aware of archaic or highly specialized terms related to birthdays that might be used alongside 'Tanjō-iwai' in specific contexts. You can effortlessly navigate the most formal levels of Keigo (honorific language) when organizing or thanking someone for an 'O-tanjō-iwai.' Your understanding includes the psychological and social implications of these celebrations in Japanese society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

誕生祝い in 30 Seconds

Tanjō-iwai means birthday celebration or gift.
It is more formal than the loanword 'purezento'.
It covers both the party and the physical present.
Commonly used in professional and traditional Japanese settings.

The Japanese term 誕生祝い (Tanjō-iwai) is a compound noun that translates literally to "birth celebration." In everyday Japanese, it encompasses both the act of celebrating a birthday and the physical gift given to commemorate the occasion. While the word 誕生日たんじょうび (Tanjōbi) specifically refers to the day of birth, Tanjō-iwai shifts the focus toward the celebratory actions, the gathering, or the token of affection shared between friends, family, or colleagues. It is a word that bridges the gap between casual social gatherings and more formal gift-giving traditions in Japanese culture.

The Gift Aspect: In many contexts, if someone says "I bought a Tanjō-iwai," they are referring to a present. Unlike the English word 'birthday present,' which is often translated as 誕生日プレゼントたんじょうびぷれぜんと, Tanjō-iwai carries a slightly more traditional or formal nuance, making it suitable for professional relationships or when speaking to superiors.
The Celebration Aspect: When used to describe an event, it refers to the party or the dinner held in honor of the person. It is frequently paired with the verb するsuru (to do) or 開くhiraku (to hold/open) to describe the organization of a birthday event.

祖父の八十歳の誕生祝いに、家族全員が集まった。
(The whole family gathered for my grandfather's 80th birthday celebration.)

Understanding the cultural weight of iwai (祝い) is crucial. In Japan, the culture of 'O-iwai' involves specific etiquette regarding how gifts are wrapped (noshi), the timing of the gift, and the social obligation of 'O-kaeshi' (return gifting). While birthday celebrations are more modernized and Westernized today, using the term Tanjō-iwai invokes a sense of respect and formal recognition of a life milestone. It is particularly common when discussing the birthdays of children (especially first birthdays) or elderly family members reaching significant ages like 60 (Kanreki) or 77 (Kiju).

友人の誕生祝いとして、素敵なレストランを予約した。
(As a birthday celebration for my friend, I reserved a wonderful restaurant.)

Linguistic Structure: The word consists of 誕生たんじょう (Birth/Emergence) and 祝いいわい (Celebration/Blessing). The prefix 'O' (お) is often added to make it お誕生祝いおたんじょういわい, which is the polite form used when speaking to others about their celebrations or gifts.

Using 誕生祝い correctly requires an understanding of how it functions as a noun within various sentence structures. It often acts as the direct object of a verb or as part of a prepositional phrase describing the purpose of an action. Because it carries a slightly formal tone, it is frequently seen in written invitations, thank-you notes, and polite conversation.

As a Direct Object (The Gift): When you are giving or receiving a gift, Tanjō-iwai followed by particles like をo (object marker) is standard. Common verbs include 贈るokuru (to give/send as a gift), 渡すwatasu (to hand over), and もらうmorau (to receive).

母にカーネーションを誕生祝いに贈った。
(I gave carnations to my mother as a birthday gift.)

In this sentence, the particle にni after Tanjō-iwai indicates the 'purpose' or 'capacity' in which the carnations were given. This is a very common grammatical pattern: [Item] + を + [Event] + 祝いに + [Verb].

As the Event Subject: When discussing the party or the dinner itself, Tanjō-iwai can be the subject or topic of the sentence. Here, you might use particles like はwa or がga.

今年の誕生祝いは、静かに家で過ごしたい。
(For this year's birthday celebration, I want to spend it quietly at home.)

Note how the speaker uses the word to refer to the 'way' the birthday is spent. It is more comprehensive than just saying 'on my birthday' (誕生日にtanjōbi ni); it implies the whole celebratory experience.

部長のお誕生祝いの会を企画しています。
(We are planning a birthday celebration party for the department manager.)

Finally, it's worth noting the use of Tanjō-iwai in compound nouns. You will often see 誕生祝い金tanjō-iwai-kin (birthday gift money), which is common in corporate benefits or from grandparents to grandchildren. In these cases, the word acts as a modifier for the type of money being given.

While Purezento (present) is the king of casual conversation among teenagers and young adults, 誕生祝い is the standard term in many professional, commercial, and traditional settings. Knowing where you'll encounter it helps in choosing the right register for your own speech.

Department Stores and Gift Shops: When you visit a high-end department store like Mitsukoshi or Takashimaya, the signage for the gift wrapping section will almost certainly use Tanjō-iwai. If a clerk asks, "Is this for a gift?" they might say, "お誕生祝い用o-tanjō-iwai-yōですか？" (Is this for a birthday celebration?). This is because iwai is the formal category for all celebratory gifts (including weddings and births).

「誕生祝いの熨斗（のし）をお願いします。」
(Please use a birthday celebration gift strip.)

In a corporate environment, if a company has a policy of giving employees a small bonus or gift on their birthday, it will be listed in the employee handbook as Tanjō-iwai. It sounds professional and institutional. Similarly, in news reports or formal biographies, the term is used to describe official celebrations for public figures or royalty.

「昨日は素敵なお誕生祝いをありがとうございました。」
(Thank you for the wonderful birthday celebration yesterday.)

You will also see this word frequently on e-commerce sites like Rakuten or Amazon Japan. When searching for birthday-specific gift sets, using Tanjō-iwai as a keyword will often lead you to more traditional or high-quality results compared to the more generic Tanjōbi purezento. It suggests a certain level of curation and thoughtfulness in the Japanese market.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when choosing between Tanjōbi, Purezento, and 誕生祝い. While they all relate to birthdays, their grammatical functions and nuances differ significantly.

Mistake 1: Using it for the Date: A common error is saying "My Tanjō-iwai is May 5th." This is incorrect because Tanjō-iwai is the event or the gift, not the calendar date. You must use 誕生日tanjōbi for the date itself.

❌ 私の誕生祝いは来週です。
(My birthday celebration is next week. - *This is grammatically okay but often people mean 'My birthday is next week'*)
✅ 私の誕生日は来週です。

If you say the first sentence, people will expect a party next week, not necessarily that your actual birthday is that day.

Mistake 2: Mixing Politeness Levels: Using Tanjō-iwai (without 'O') when speaking to a social superior can sound a bit blunt. Conversely, adding 'O' when talking about your own gift to yourself or your own celebration can sound overly self-important or strangely 'cutesy' depending on the listener.

Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Iwai' for Other Events: Remember that iwai is a broad category. Don't use Tanjō-iwai for a wedding gift (結婚祝いkekkon-iwai) or a new baby gift (出産祝いshussan-iwai). While 'birth celebration' sounds like it could mean a new baby, in Japanese, Tanjō-iwai is strictly for birthdays. For a new baby, always use Shussan-iwai.

Japanese has several ways to express birthday-related concepts. Choosing the right one depends on the setting and what exactly you are referring to.

誕生日プレゼント (Tanjōbi Purezento): This is the most common casual term for a birthday present. It specifically refers to the object. Use this with friends and family.
Example: 「誕生日プレゼント、何がいい？」 (What do you want for a birthday present?)
バースデー (Bāsudē): The loanword from English. It's often used in marketing or for a 'cool' or modern vibe. You'll see it in phrases like バースデーパーティーbāsudē pātī or バースデーケーキbāsudē kēki.
誕生会 (Tanjō-kai): This specifically refers to the gathering or party. Unlike Tanjō-iwai, which can mean the gift, Tanjō-kai always means the event. It is very common in schools and kindergartens (e.g., "The March Birthday Party").

幼稚園で毎月誕生会が開かれる。
(A birthday party is held every month at the kindergarten.)

For very formal occasions, you might use 祝賀会shukugakai (celebration party), but this is usually reserved for major milestones like a 90th birthday or a significant achievement combined with a birthday.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Historically, Japanese people didn't celebrate individual birthdays. Everyone aged one year on New Year's Day (Kazoedoshi). Individual birthday celebrations only became common after WWII.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tændʒoʊ iwaɪ/

US /tɑndʒoʊ iwaɪ/

Flat pitch accent (Heiban) for 'Tanjō', with a slight rise and fall on 'Iwai'.

Rhymes With

Kekkon-iwai Shussan-iwai Shinchiku-iwai Kaigen-iwai Sotsugyō-iwai Nyūgaku-iwai Shūshoku-iwai Kaikyō-iwai

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'Tanjō' as 'Tanjo' (short o).
Confusing 'Iwai' with 'Iwaya' or 'Iwa'.
Treating it as one word without a slight break between the two components.
Misplacing the nasal 'n' sound.
Using an English 'r' sound if the 'r' was present (not in this word, but in related words like purezento).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji for 'Tan' (誕) and 'Iwai' (祝) are intermediate level but essential.

Writing 4/5

Writing '誕' requires attention to stroke order and the speech radical.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the long 'o' in Tanjō.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized by the distinctive 'iwai' ending.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

誕生日祝いおめでとうプレゼント贈る

Learn Next

出産祝い結婚祝い内祝い還暦熨斗

Advanced

祝賀会寿慶事贈答品儀礼

Grammar to Know

Noun + に (Purpose)

誕生祝いに時計を贈る。

Polite Prefix 'O' (Bikago)

お誕生祝いをありがとうございます。

Noun + として (As/Capacity)

誕生祝いとして食事に招待した。

Compound Nouns (Noun + Noun)

誕生祝い金、誕生祝い品。

Verb 'Suru' with Nouns

誕生祝いをする。

Examples by Level

これは誕生祝いです。

This is a birthday celebration (gift).

Simple A = B structure using the copula 'desu'.

お誕生祝い、ありがとう。

Thank you for the birthday gift/celebration.

Casual 'thank you' with the polite prefix 'o'.

誕生祝いに花を買いました。

I bought flowers as a birthday gift.

Particle 'ni' indicates the purpose of the purchase.

誕生祝いはいつですか？

When is the birthday celebration?

Interrogative 'itsu' (when) used with the noun.

父の誕生祝いをします。

I will do (hold) a birthday celebration for my father.

Direct object 'o' followed by the verb 'suru'.

素敵な誕生祝いですね。

It's a wonderful birthday celebration, isn't it?

Adjective 'suteki-na' modifying the noun.

誕生祝いのケーキです。

This is a birthday celebration cake.

Particle 'no' connects two nouns.

今日、誕生祝いがあります。

There is a birthday celebration today.

Verb 'arimasu' indicates existence of an event.

友達に誕生祝いをあげました。

I gave a birthday gift to my friend.

Verb 'agemashita' (gave) used with direct object.

誕生祝いに何をあげますか？

What will you give as a birthday gift?

Question word 'nani' (what) with purpose particle 'ni'.

母から誕生祝いをもらいました。

I received a birthday gift from my mother.

Verb 'moraimashita' (received) with source particle 'kara'.

みんなで誕生祝いの歌を歌いましょう。

Let's all sing a birthday celebration song.

Volitional form 'uta-imashō' (let's sing).

お誕生祝いのカードを書きました。

I wrote a birthday celebration card.

Noun modification using 'no'.

誕生祝いのレストランを予約します。

I will reserve a restaurant for the birthday celebration.

Verb 'yoyaku-shimasu' (to reserve).

去年の誕生祝いは楽しかったです。

Last year's birthday celebration was fun.

Past tense adjective 'tanoshikatta' (was fun).

誕生祝いにネクタイを贈りました。

I gave a necktie as a birthday gift.

Verb 'okurimashita' is more formal than 'agemashita'.

先生のお誕生祝いに、クラス全員で色紙を書いた。

For the teacher's birthday celebration, the whole class wrote on a signature board.

Use of 'o' for respect and 'de' to show the group agent.

誕生祝いとして、旅行のチケットをプレゼントした。

As a birthday gift, I gave travel tickets.

'Toshite' indicates the capacity or role of the gift.

兄の誕生祝いをするために、美味しいケーキを焼いた。

In order to celebrate my brother's birthday, I baked a delicious cake.

'Tame ni' indicates purpose or reason.

誕生祝いのパーティーに招待されて、とても嬉しいです。

I am very happy to be invited to the birthday celebration party.

Passive form 'shōtai-sarete' (being invited).

どんな誕生祝いが喜ばれるか、悩んでいます。

I am worrying about what kind of birthday gift would be appreciated.

Indirect question with 'ka' and passive 'yorokobareru'.

祖母の誕生祝いを兼ねて、家族旅行に行きました。

We went on a family trip, which also served as my grandmother's birthday celebration.

'Kane-te' means to combine two purposes.

誕生祝いの返礼として、お菓子を送った。

As a return gift for the birthday celebration, I sent some sweets.

'Henrei' is the formal term for a return gift.

忙しくて誕生祝いに参加できず、申し訳ありませんでした。

I am very sorry that I was too busy to participate in the birthday celebration.

Potential negative 'sanka-dekizu' (could not participate).

部長のお誕生祝いの会は、来週の金曜日に執り行われます。

The celebration for the manager's birthday will be held next Friday.

Formal verb 'toriokonawareru' (to be held/conducted).

誕生祝いを贈る際は、相手の好みを事前によくリサーチしておくべきだ。

When giving a birthday gift, you should research the recipient's preferences in advance.

Grammar pattern 'beki da' (should/ought to).

彼女は誕生祝いに欲しがっていたバッグをもらって、大喜びした。

She was overjoyed to receive the bag she had been wanting as a birthday gift.

Verb 'hoshigatte-ita' showing a third person's desire.

誕生祝いの品物選びには、いつも頭を悩ませる。

I always rack my brains over choosing a birthday gift item.

Idiom 'atama o nayamaseru' (to rack one's brains).

会社の福利厚生の一環として、誕生祝い金が支給された。

As part of the company's welfare benefits, birthday gift money was provided.

Formal compound 'fukuri-kōsei' (welfare benefits).

誕生祝いを口実に、久しぶりに旧友たちが集まった。

Using the birthday celebration as an excuse, old friends gathered for the first time in a while.

'Kōjitsu' means excuse or pretext.

子供の誕生祝いに、手作りのアルバムを贈ることにした。

I decided to give a handmade album as a gift for my child's birthday celebration.

'Koto ni shita' indicates a personal decision.

誕生祝いのメッセージをSNSに投稿したら、たくさんの返信が来た。

When I posted a birthday celebration message on SNS, I received many replies.

Conditional 'tara' followed by a result.

長寿の誕生祝いは、日本の伝統的な通過儀礼として重要な意味を持つ。

Celebrations for longevity are significant as traditional Japanese rites of passage.

Formal academic tone with 'tsūka-girei' (rite of passage).

彼の誕生祝いを盛大に行うべく、数ヶ月前から準備を進めてきた。

In order to hold his birthday celebration grandly, preparations have been underway for several months.

Formal 'beku' meaning 'in order to'.

誕生祝いの席で、彼はこれまでの人生を振り返り、感謝の言葉を述べた。

At the birthday celebration, he looked back on his life and expressed words of gratitude.

Formal expression 'kotoba o noberu' (to state/express words).

形式張った誕生祝いよりも、心のこもったささやかな集まりを好む人もいる。

Some people prefer a heartfelt, modest gathering over a formal, stiff birthday celebration.

Comparison structure using 'yori mo'.

誕生祝いの品に添えられた手紙には、彼の誠実な人柄が表れていた。

The letter attached to the birthday gift reflected his sincere personality.

Relative clause 'shinamono ni soerareta' (attached to the item).

幼少期の誕生祝いの記憶は、今でも鮮明に脳裏に焼き付いている。

Memories of birthday celebrations from early childhood are still vividly etched in my mind.

Literary expression 'nōri ni yakitsuite-iru'.

地域のコミュニティで、独居老人のための誕生祝いを定期的に開催している。

The local community regularly holds birthday celebrations for elderly people living alone.

Compound 'dokkyo-rōjin' (elderly living alone).

誕生祝いの趣旨を理解した上で、適切な贈り物を選ぶことが肝要である。

It is essential to choose an appropriate gift after understanding the purpose of the birthday celebration.

Formal 'kan-yō' meaning 'essential' or 'vital'.

古希の誕生祝いに際し、一族郎党が集い、その長寿を言祝いだ。

On the occasion of the 70th birthday celebration, the entire clan gathered to celebrate the longevity.

Archaic/highly formal 'ichizoku-rōtō' and 'kotohoida'.

誕生祝いという名目の下に、実質的には政治的な談合が行われていた。

Under the guise of a birthday celebration, political collusion was effectively taking place.

Cynical expression 'meimoku no moto ni' (under the pretext of).

氏の誕生祝いを彩るべく、当代随一の料理人が腕を振るった。

To grace his birthday celebration, the finest chef of the generation displayed his skills.

Honorific 'shi' and idiomatic 'ude o furutta'.

誕生祝いの喧騒から離れ、独り静かに自らの生い立ちを反芻する。

Away from the bustle of the birthday celebration, I quietly ruminate on my own upbringing alone.

Literary 'kensō' (bustle) and 'hansū' (ruminate).

その誕生祝いは、単なる個人の祝祭を超え、共同体の結束を確認する場となった。

That birthday celebration transcended a mere individual festival and became a place to confirm the community's unity.

Abstract concept 'kessoku o kakunin suru'.

誕生祝いの贈り物に込められた言外の意図を汲み取るのは、容易ではない。

It is not easy to discern the unspoken intentions embedded in a birthday gift.

Sophisticated 'gengai no ito' (unspoken intention).

華美な誕生祝いを排し、質実剛健を旨とする彼の生き方が反映されていた。

Rejecting flamboyant birthday celebrations, his way of life, which valued simplicity and fortitude, was reflected.

Yojijukugo 'shitsujitsu-gōken' (simple and sturdy).

往時の誕生祝いの風習を紐解くと、現代とは異なる死生観が見て取れる。

Unraveling the birthday celebration customs of the past reveals a view of life and death different from today.

Academic 'himotoku' (unravel/read) and 'shiseikan' (view of life and death).

Common Collocations

誕生祝いを贈る

誕生祝いに〜を〜

誕生祝いの品

お誕生祝いの会

誕生祝い金

誕生祝いを渡す

誕生祝いを兼ねる

誕生祝いのメッセージ

誕生祝いの熨斗

誕生祝いの席

Common Phrases

お誕生祝いを申し上げます

— A very formal way to say 'I offer my birthday congratulations.' Used in letters.

謹んでお誕生祝いを申し上げます。

誕生祝いのしるし

— A token of my birthday celebration/gift. Often used when giving something small.

誕生祝いのしるしに、これを受け取ってください。

誕生祝いのお返し

— A return gift for a birthday celebration received.

誕生祝いのお返しを何にするか考える。

ちょっとした誕生祝い

— A small/modest birthday gift.

これは、ほんのちょっとした誕生祝いです。

誕生祝いの食事会

— A birthday celebration dinner/meal gathering.

今夜は家族で誕生祝いの食事会だ。

誕生祝いを包む

— To wrap/prepare money for a birthday gift.

孫のために誕生祝いを包んだ。

誕生祝いを企画する

— To plan a birthday celebration.

サプライズの誕生祝いを企画している。

誕生祝いを送付する

— To send a birthday gift (via mail).

田舎の両親に誕生祝いを送付した。

誕生祝いを辞退する

— To decline a birthday celebration or gift (usually for formal reasons).

彼は誕生祝いを辞退した。

誕生祝いのお礼

— A thank-you for a birthday celebration.

誕生祝いのお礼を電話で伝えた。

Often Confused With

誕生祝い vs 誕生日 (Tanjōbi)

This is the date/day. Tanjō-iwai is the celebration or gift.

誕生祝い vs 出産祝い (Shussan-iwai)

This is for a new baby being born. Tanjō-iwai is for recurring birthdays.

誕生祝い vs 祝儀 (Shūgi)

Usually refers to money in a special envelope for formal events.

Idioms & Expressions

"祝いを述べる"

— To express congratulations or celebratory words.

代表して誕生祝いを述べた。

Formal

"祝いの膳"

— A celebratory feast or meal set.

誕生祝いの膳を囲む。

Traditional

"祝い事に水を差す"

— To spoil a celebration (literally 'to pour water on').

誕生祝いに水を差すようなことは言わないで。

Common

"門出を祝う"

— To celebrate a new start (often used for birthdays that mark a new life stage).

二十歳の誕生祝いに門出を祝う。

Formal

"目出度い"

— Auspicious/joyous (often used to describe the feeling of an 'iwai').

誕生祝いは実にお目出度いことだ。

Traditional

"一肌脱ぐ"

— To go out of one's way to help (e.g., helping with a surprise party).

彼の誕生祝いのために一肌脱いだ。

Idiomatic

"腕を振るう"

— To display one's skill (e.g., cooking for a birthday).

母が誕生祝いに腕を振るった。

Common

"花を添える"

— To add a special touch or beauty to a celebration.

彼の歌が誕生祝いに花を添えた。

Literary

"形ばかりの"

— A mere token (used humbly when giving a gift).

形ばかりの誕生祝いですが、どうぞ。

Polite

"心ばかりの"

— A small token of one's heart (similar to above).

心ばかりの誕生祝いです。

Polite

Easily Confused

誕生祝い vs 誕生会

Both relate to celebrating birthdays.

Tanjō-kai is specifically a party/gathering. Tanjō-iwai can be the party OR the gift.

誕生会に参加する vs 誕生祝いを贈る。

誕生祝い vs お祝い

Tanjō-iwai is a type of O-iwai.

O-iwai is generic (wedding, graduation, etc.). Tanjō-iwai is specific to birthdays.

お祝いを買いに行く。

誕生祝い vs プレゼント

Both can mean a gift.

Present is a loanword and casual. Tanjō-iwai is Japanese-origin and more formal.

クリスマスプレゼント vs 誕生祝い。

誕生祝い vs 祝賀

Both mean celebration.

Shukuga is very formal, often for public figures or major achievements.

誕生の祝賀式典。

誕生祝い vs 記念品

Both can be gifts.

Kinenhin is a commemorative item, not necessarily for a birthday.

創立記念品。

Sentence Patterns

これは [Name] の誕生祝いです。

これは私の誕生祝いです。

[Name] に誕生祝いをあげる。

母に誕生祝いをあげる。

誕生祝いに [Item] を [Verb]。

誕生祝いに靴を贈った。

[Event] の誕生祝いをする。

祖父の八十歳の誕生祝いをする。

誕生祝いとして [Action]。

誕生祝いとして旅行に行った。

誕生祝いを兼ねて [Action]。

誕生祝いを兼ねて食事をした。

[Name] の誕生祝いに際し、 [Action]。

部長の誕生祝いに際し、花束を贈呈した。

[Name] の誕生祝いを盛大に執り行う。

氏の誕生祝いを盛大に執り行った。

Word Family

Nouns

誕生 (Birth)

祝い (Celebration)

祝儀 (Gift money)

祝賀 (Celebration/formal)

Verbs

祝う (To celebrate)

誕生する (To be born)

祝辞を述べる (To give a congratulatory speech)

Adjectives

おめでたい (Auspicious/Happy)

祝わしい (Celebratory/rarely used)

誕生日

プレゼント

ケーキ

パーティー

のし紙

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal/gift-giving contexts; moderate in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Tanjō-iwai' for a wedding gift. → 結婚祝い (Kekkon-iwai)
While 'iwai' means celebration, you must specify the type of event. 'Tanjō' is only for birthdays.
Saying 'My Tanjō-iwai is tomorrow' to mean your birthday. → 私の誕生日は明日です。
Tanjō-iwai is the event/gift. Use Tanjōbi for the day itself.
Writing '誕生祝' without the 'い'. → 誕生祝い
The 'い' is okurigana (hiragana following kanji) and is necessary for the noun form in this context.
Using 'O-tanjō-iwai' for your own gift to yourself. → 自分への誕生祝い
Using 'O' for your own things sounds like you are being overly polite to yourself, which is strange.
Confusing 'Tanjō-iwai' with 'Shussan-iwai'. → 出産祝い for a new baby.
Tanjō-iwai is for birthdays of people already born. Shussan-iwai is for the actual birth of a baby.

Tips

Wrapping Matters

When giving a formal Tanjō-iwai, the wrapping (noshi) is as important as the gift itself. Use a bow-knot (cho-musubi) which can be retied, signifying that birthdays happen many times.

The 'O' Factor

Adding 'O' to 'Tanjō-iwai' is a great way to sound more like a native speaker who values politeness (Keigo culture).

Search Term

When shopping online in Japan, search for '誕生祝い' to find higher-quality, gift-ready items rather than just toys or gadgets.

Purpose Particle

Remember the 'Ni' particle: [Gift] を [Event] 祝いに. This is the most natural way to explain why you bought something.

Milestone Birthdays

For ages like 60, 70, or 88, 'Tanjō-iwai' is almost always preferred over 'Purezento' because of the formality of the milestone.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 誕 is tricky. Practice the left side (speech radical) and the right side (延 - to extend) to get it right.

Announcement Context

In stores, listen for 'O-tanjō-iwai' in announcements about gift services or seasonal promotions.

Business Etiquette

In a Japanese office, if everyone chips in for a boss's birthday, it's called the 'O-tanjō-iwai'.

Compound Power

Learn 'Tanjō-iwai-kin' (money) and 'Tanjō-iwai-hin' (item) to be more specific in your speech.

The Iwai Root

Connect 'Iwai' to all celebrations: 結婚祝い (Wedding), 出産祝い (Birth), 入学祝い (School entry). It's a powerful root word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tanjō' as 'Tan' (sun/dawn) + 'Jo' (birth of a journey). 'Iwai' sounds like 'e-why' - 'He-Why' is he celebrating? Because it's a birth celebration!

Visual Association

Imagine a baby (Tanjō) wearing a party hat and holding a gift (Iwai).

Word Web

Birth Gift Party Cake Candles Family Etiquette Noshi

Challenge

Try to use 'Tanjō-iwai' instead of 'Purezento' next time you talk about a gift for an older relative.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of 'Tanjō' (誕生) and 'Iwai' (祝い). 'Tanjō' comes from Middle Chinese roots (誕 - to give birth, 生 - life). 'Iwai' is a native Japanese word (kun-yomi) derived from the verb 'iwau'.

Original meaning: The ritualized celebration of a new life or the anniversary of that life.

Sino-Japanese compound (Kango) + Native Japanese (Wago).

Cultural Context

Be careful with gift choices for superiors; avoid items with negative symbolic meanings.

Unlike 'Happy Birthday' which is used as a greeting, 'Tanjō-iwai' is strictly the noun for the event/gift.

The Emperor's Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi) is a national holiday. Many anime episodes feature a 'Tanjō-iwai' surprise party plot. Japanese literature often uses the term to highlight class or formality.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Department Store

誕生祝いの熨斗をお願いします。
お誕生祝い用のラッピングはありますか？
誕生祝いにふさわしい品を探しています。
予算は五千円くらいで、誕生祝いを選びたいです。

At a Family Dinner

お父さん、お誕生祝いおめでとう！
みんなで誕生祝いの乾杯をしましょう。
誕生祝いのケーキを持ってくるね。
今年の誕生祝いは奮発したよ。

In a Business Email

お誕生祝いのお言葉をいただき、恐縮です。
部長のお誕生祝いの件で相談があります。
お誕生祝いの会へのご出席をお願いいたします。
心ばかりの誕生祝いをお送りいたしました。

On Social Media

最高の誕生祝いをありがとう！
誕生祝いのメッセージ、全部読みました。
今日は私の誕生祝いをしてもらっています。
誕生祝いに欲しかったものをゲット！

At a School/Kindergarten

今月は三月生まれの誕生祝いがあります。
みんなで誕生祝いの歌を歌おう。
誕生祝いのカードを先生からもらったよ。
誕生祝いでゲームをしたのが楽しかった。

Conversation Starters

"誕生祝いに何をもらったら一番嬉しいですか？"

"今までで一番思い出に残っている誕生祝いは何ですか？"

"日本では、誕生祝いに何を贈るのが一般的ですか？"

"誕生祝いのパーティーをサプライズでするのは好きですか？"

"二十歳の誕生祝いは、あなたの国では特別ですか？"

Journal Prompts

昨日の誕生祝いについて書いてください。誰と何をしましたか？

大切な人の誕生祝いを計画するとしたら、どんなことをしますか？

誕生祝いのプレゼントを選ぶとき、一番大切にしていることは何ですか？

子供の頃の誕生祝いの思い出について、詳しく描写してください。

「誕生祝い」と「誕生日プレゼント」の違いについて、自分の考えを書いてください。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You can, but it's more common to use it when talking about the *event* you are having. For the gift you want, 'Purezento' is more natural. If you say 'My Tanjō-iwai,' people expect a party.

Both are correct. Adding 'O' makes it more polite and refined (Bikago). Use 'O' when talking to people outside your close circle.

No, it can also mean the act of celebrating or the party itself. Context tells you which one is meant.

It refers to money given as a birthday gift, common from grandparents to grandchildren or from a company to an employee.

Tanjōbi is the noun for 'birthday' (the day). Tanjō-iwai is the noun for 'birthday celebration/gift'.

No, the greeting is 'O-tanjōbi omedetō'. 'Tanjō-iwai' is a noun, not a greeting.

誕 (birth) + 生 (life/birth) + 祝 (celebrate) + い (okurigana). Together: 'Celebration of being born'.

Yes, it can be used for pets' birthday celebrations too, especially in the modern context of 'pet-iwai'.

Use 'Purezento' with friends, peers, and younger people. Use 'Tanjō-iwai' in formal writing, with superiors, or when discussing the 'act' of celebration.

Not at all, especially if you are being slightly formal or polite. 'お誕生祝い、ありがとう！' is a very nice way to thank someone.