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B1 verb 10 min read

祝う

iwau

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 祝う in 30 Seconds

Explanation 祝う in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are learning the most basic ways to talk about your life. 'Iwau' (祝う) is introduced as the verb for 'celebrate,' usually in the context of birthdays (tanjoubi). You will learn that you need the object particle 'wo' before the verb. For example, 'Tanjoubi wo iwaimasu' (I celebrate a birthday). At this stage, don't worry about complex conjugations. Just focus on the polite form 'iwaimasu' and the past tense 'iwaimashita.' You will often hear this word when people talk about family holidays or simple parties. It is a 'happy' word that helps you share your culture and learn about Japanese traditions like New Year's (Oshougatsu). You might also learn that 'Omedetou' is the greeting you say, while 'iwau' is what you *do*.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'iwau' to include more social events beyond just birthdays. You will learn to use it with 'graduation' (sotsugyou), 'weddings' (kekkon), and 'passing exams' (goukaku). You will also start using the particle 'de' to describe *how* you celebrate, such as 'Resutoran de iwaimasu' (I celebrate at a restaurant) or 'Keeki de iwaimasu' (I celebrate with cake). You should become comfortable with the casual form 'iwau' for talking with friends. You will also encounter the noun 'oiwai,' which means a celebration or a gift. At A2, you are expected to understand that 'iwau' is a Group 1 verb, so you'll practice its te-form ('iwatte') to link sentences, like 'Kazoku de iwatte, tanoshikatta desu' (We celebrated with family and it was fun).

At the B1 level (Intermediate), you should understand the social nuances of 'iwau.' You will learn to use the humble and polite forms, such as 'o-iwai suru' or 'o-iwai itashimasu,' which are essential for business and formal social settings in Japan. You will also learn specific collocations like 'kadode wo iwau' (celebrate a new start) or 'seikou wo iwau' (celebrate success). At this level, you start to see 'iwau' in more complex grammar patterns, such as 'iwatte kureru' (someone celebrates for me) or 'iwatte ageru' (I celebrate for someone). You will also notice the difference between 'iwau' and synonyms like 'kinen suru' (commemorate). You are expected to use 'iwau' correctly in essays about your culture or in conversations about Japanese holidays like 'Coming of Age Day.'

At the B2 level (Upper Intermediate), you are expected to use 'iwau' with greater precision and in more abstract contexts. You might use it to discuss national sentiment or historical events. You will understand the passive form 'iwareru' (to be celebrated) and the causative form 'iwawaseru' (to make someone celebrate). You will also encounter 'iwau' in compound words and idiomatic expressions. For instance, you might read about 'shukuga-kai' (celebratory party) or 'iwai-bi' (festive day). At this level, you should be able to explain the cultural significance of 'iwau' in Japanese society, including the etiquette of gift-giving (oiwai) and the specific types of celebrations for different ages (like Kanreki or Koki). You can distinguish between 'iwau' and 'matsuru' (enshrine) with ease.

At the C1 level (Advanced), 'iwau' is used with high-level vocabulary and in literary contexts. You will understand the nuances of the kanji 祝 and its relation to ancient rituals. You will encounter archaic or formal variants like 'kotohogu' (to bless) in classical literature or very formal speeches. You can use 'iwau' to describe complex social phenomena, such as how modern Japan 'celebrates' Western holidays like Christmas compared to traditional ones. Your use of 'iwau' will include sophisticated structures like 'iwau ni atai suru' (worthy of celebration). You will also be sensitive to the register, knowing exactly when to use 'iwau' versus 'shuku-suru' in a formal written greeting or a business proposal. You understand the historical evolution of the word from a spiritual blessing to a social act.

At the C2 level (Mastery), you have a native-like grasp of 'iwau' and its deep cultural roots. You can appreciate the word's appearance in poetry (haiku/tanka) and its various connotations in different dialects or historical periods. You understand the subtle psychological implications of 'iwau' in maintaining social harmony (wa) and the complex rituals associated with 'iwai' in various regions of Japan. You can engage in high-level academic discussions about the role of 'shukusai' (festivals and celebrations) in Japanese sociology. Your usage is flawless across all registers, from the most informal slang to the highest forms of Keigo (honorific language). You can use 'iwau' metaphorically to describe nature or life itself 'celebrating' a moment of beauty or transition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

祝う in 30 Seconds

祝う (iwau) is the primary Japanese verb for 'to celebrate' or 'to congratulate' happy events.
It is a transitive verb, typically used as '[Event] を祝う' (Celebrate [Event]).
Commonly used for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and national holidays like New Year's.
It has formal versions like 'o-iwai suru' for business or respectful social contexts.

The Japanese verb 祝う (iwau) is a cornerstone of social interaction in Japan, primarily meaning 'to celebrate' or 'to congratulate.' However, its usage extends far beyond a simple party. It encompasses the spiritual, social, and personal act of acknowledging a positive transition or achievement. Whether you are drinking sake for the New Year, giving a gift for a wedding, or simply saying 'Congratulations' on a friend's promotion, iwau is the action verb that defines the spirit of the occasion.

Core Meaning: To express joy for a happy event, to offer congratulations, or to perform a ritual to mark a festive occasion. It is a transitive verb taking the object particle 'wo' (を).
Social Function: In Japanese culture, celebration is often a collective act. Using 'iwau' implies a shared recognition of success or milestone, reinforcing social bonds (kizuna).

友達の誕生日をレストランで祝う。
(Tomodachi no tanjoubi wo resutoran de iwau.)
I celebrate my friend's birthday at a restaurant.

Historically, 'iwau' had a more religious connotation, related to 'iwai' (rites/blessings). While modern usage is largely secular, the weight of the word still carries a sense of formal recognition. When you 'iwau' something, you are not just having fun; you are validating the importance of the event. This is why it is used for major life events like Shichi-Go-San (festivals for children), Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day), and weddings. It is also the root of 'Oiwai,' the noun for a celebratory gift or the celebration itself.

Furthermore, 'iwau' is used for seasonal events. Japan has many 'shukujitsu' (public holidays), and the act of observing these days is often described using this verb. For instance, 'Shinnen wo iwau' (to celebrate the New Year) involves specific traditional foods and visits to shrines. The verb connects the individual to the broader cultural calendar of Japan. It is important to note that 'iwau' focuses on the *act* of celebrating, whereas 'omedetou' is the *phrase* used to congratulate.

合格を祝って、家族でパーティーをした。
(Goukaku wo iwatte, kazoku de paatii wo shita.)
To celebrate passing the exam, we had a party with the family.

Common Objects: Birthdays (誕生日), Weddings (結婚), Success (成功), Graduation (卒業), New Year (新年), Longevity (長寿).

In business contexts, 'iwau' might be used when a company reaches an anniversary or a project succeeds. Here, it often involves a formal ceremony (shukuga-kai). The choice of 'iwau' indicates that the achievement is significant enough to pause and acknowledge formally. It is not just a casual 'good job,' but a structured celebration of a milestone.

Using 祝う (iwau) correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the particles it pairs with. As a Group 1 (Godan) verb, it conjugates by changing the final 'u' sound. The most basic pattern is [Event/Person] を [Method] で祝う. This tells us *what* is being celebrated and *how* it is being celebrated.

Grammar Pattern 1: [Noun] を祝う : To celebrate [Noun]. Example: 勝利を祝う (Celebrate the victory).
Grammar Pattern 2: [Noun] を [Noun] で祝う : To celebrate [Noun] with/by [Means]. Example: 卒業を食事で祝う (Celebrate graduation with a meal).

私たちは彼の還暦を祝いました。
(Watashitachi wa kare no kanreki wo iwai-mashita.)
We celebrated his 60th birthday (Kanreki).

Conjugation is key. For polite speech, use 'iwaimasu.' For the past tense, use 'iwaita' (casual) or 'iwaimashita' (polite). The te-form is 'iwatte,' which is often used to link the celebration to another action, such as 'iwatte ageru' (to celebrate for someone's sake). Note that when you celebrate *for* someone else, adding 'ageru' or 'kureru' makes the sentence sound more natural and warm in Japanese social contexts.

新しい門出を祝って乾杯しましょう。
(Atarashii kadode wo iwatte kanpai shimashou.)
Let's toast to celebrate your new beginning.

One interesting usage is 'iwai-goto,' which refers to celebratory events in general. You might also encounter the passive form 'iwareru' (to be celebrated), though this is less common than saying 'people celebrated me.' In literary or highly formal contexts, you might see 'iwai-mousu' (humble) or 'kotohogu' (archaic/poetic version of celebrate). However, for 99% of daily life, 'iwau' and 'o-iwai suru' are all you need.

Common Conjugations: Negative: 祝わない (iwanai), Potential: 祝える (iwaeru), Causative: 祝わせる (iwawaseru), Volitional: 祝おう (iwaou).

In a sentence like 'Kanojo no shusse wo iwau' (Celebrate her promotion), the focus is on the act of celebration. If you want to say 'I gave her a gift for her promotion,' you would more likely use 'Shusse no o-iwai wo ageta.' Understanding the distinction between the verb (the act of celebrating) and the noun (the gift/event) is crucial for sounding like a native speaker.

You will encounter 祝う (iwau) in various settings, ranging from intimate family gatherings to nationwide television broadcasts. Its presence in Japanese life is ubiquitous because Japanese culture places high value on seasonal transitions and life milestones. Hearing this word often signals an atmosphere of joy, gratitude, and social harmony.

At Home: Parents might say to their children, 'Kyou wa otousan no tanjoubi wo iwaou!' (Today, let's celebrate Dad's birthday!). It's a word that brings the family together around a cake or a special meal.
In the Media: News anchors use 'iwau' when reporting on national holidays or the Emperor's birthday. 'Nihon-juu ga shin-tennou no sokui wo iwaimashita' (All of Japan celebrated the new Emperor's accession).

世界中で新年を祝う行事が行われた。
(Sekai-juu de shinnen wo iwau gyouji ga okonawareta.)
Events to celebrate the New Year were held all over the world.

In schools and workplaces, 'iwau' is frequently heard during 'soubetsukai' (farewell parties) or 'nyuushashiki' (entrance ceremonies). When a colleague gets married, the office might organize a small gathering to 'iwau' the couple. In these contexts, the verb often appears in the form 'o-iwai wo suru' to maintain professional politeness. If you are watching an anime or a drama, characters will use 'iwau' during episodes centered around festivals (matsuri) or school graduations.

優勝を祝ってビールかけをした。
(Yuushou wo iwatte biiru-kake wo shita.)
They did a beer shower to celebrate the championship victory.

Furthermore, 'iwau' is prominent in marketing and advertising. During the 'Seishun 18' ticket season or during 'Golden Week,' companies use the word to encourage people to celebrate their travels or holidays. Department stores have 'O-iwai Corner' where you can buy gifts specifically for celebrating others. The word is tied to the economy of gift-giving (zoutou bunka), which is a massive part of Japanese society.

Finally, in literature and songs, 'iwau' often takes on a more poetic tone. It can refer to 'blessing' the future or 'consecrating' a new path. Songs often use 'iwau' to express a desire for someone's happiness, such as 'Kimi no shiawase wo kokoro kara iwau' (I celebrate/bless your happiness from the bottom of my heart). This emotional depth makes it a versatile verb for expressing sincere joy for another person's well-being.

While 祝う (iwau) seems straightforward, English speakers often make subtle errors in nuance or register. One common mistake is confusing 'iwau' (the verb) with 'omedetou' (the interjection). You cannot say 'I iwau you' as a direct greeting; you must say 'Omedetou' to the person, while 'iwau' describes the action of celebrating.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Praise': English speakers sometimes use 'iwau' when they mean 'homeru' (to praise). If a child gets a good grade, you 'homeru' (praise) their effort, but you 'iwau' (celebrate) the achievement with a special dinner.
Mistake 2: Particle Errors: Using the particle 'ni' instead of 'wo'. It is always 'Tanjoubi WO iwau,' not 'Tanjoubi NI iwau' (unless 'ni' is indicating a time, but even then it's awkward).

❌ 友達にお祝いした。
✅ 友達の結婚を祝った。
(I celebrated my friend's marriage.)

Another frequent error is the level of politeness. While 'iwau' is fine with friends, using it to a superior without 'o-' or 'suru' can sound too casual or even rude. For a boss's promotion, always use 'O-iwai moushiagemasu' (extremely formal) or 'Go-shoushin o-iwai itashimasu.' Using the plain 'iwau' makes you sound like you are on equal footing with them.

There is also a mistake regarding the scope of 'iwau.' You don't 'iwau' a person just for existing; you 'iwau' an *event* associated with them. If you say 'Tanaka-san wo iwau,' people will wait for you to specify *what* about Tanaka-san you are celebrating (e.g., his birthday or his recovery). Without context, it sounds incomplete.

❌ 彼の親切を祝う。
✅ 彼の親切に感謝する。
(You thank him for kindness; you don't celebrate kindness itself.)

Finally, don't confuse 'iwau' with 'matsuru' (to enshrine). While both can involve rituals, 'matsuru' is specifically for deities or spirits in a religious sense, whereas 'iwau' is for human achievements and social milestones. Even if you are at a shrine, you 'iwau' the New Year, but you 'matsuru' the deity of the shrine.

While 祝う (iwau) is the general term for 'celebrate,' several other words share the semantic space, each with specific nuances and registers. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right word for the right occasion.

祝う (Iwau) vs. 慶ぶ (Yorokobu): 'Iwau' is an active celebration (doing something). 'Yorokobu' (written with the kanji 慶) is a formal way to say 'to be delighted' or 'to rejoice' at someone else's good news. 'Iwau' is the party; 'Yorokobu' is the feeling.
祝う (Iwau) vs. 祭る (Matsuru): 'Iwau' is for people and events. 'Matsuru' is for gods and spirits. You celebrate a birthday (iwau), but you enshrine a deity at a festival (matsuru).

寿ぐ (Kotohogu): An archaic/poetic term for 'iwau,' often used in New Year's greetings or formal speeches to mean 'to bless with words.'

Another common alternative is セレブレート (Serebureeto), the katakana version of 'celebrate.' This is rarely used in daily conversation and usually appears in song titles, event names, or specific Western-style contexts. Stick to 'iwau' for natural Japanese. If you are talking about 'marking' an anniversary, you might use 'kinen suru' (to commemorate), which is more academic and less emotional than 'iwau.'

記念する (Kinen suru): To commemorate. Used for anniversaries of historical events or company founding. 'Iwau' is more for the festive party aspect.

In formal letters, you might see 'shuku-suru' (祝する), which is the 'suru' verb form of the kanji. It sounds very stiff and is used in formal speeches or written congratulatory messages (shukuji). For example, 'Go-shoushin wo shuku-shite' (On the occasion of celebrating your promotion). This is the 'business' version of the word.

Lastly, consider 'sanbi suru' (to praise/glorify), but this is almost exclusively used in religious contexts (praising God) or high-level literary praise. It is not interchangeable with 'iwau' in a social context. For most learners, the hierarchy of choice should be: 'O-iwai suru' (Polite) > 'Iwau' (Casual) > 'Shuku-suru' (Formal/Written).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The Kanji 祝 (celebrate) consists of the radical 示 (altar/spirit) and 兄 (elder brother/person speaking). It originally depicted a person praying before an altar.

Pronunciation Guide

UK i.wa.u

US i.wa.u

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. In 'iwau', the pitch typically starts low on 'i' and rises on 'wa', then stays or slightly drops on 'u' (L-H-H/L-H-L depending on the dialect).

Rhymes With

Kiau (気合う) Niau (似合う) Miau (見合う) Hiau (干合う) Shiau (し合う) Tsukiau (付き合う) Maniau (間に合う) Warau (笑う - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'u' with heavily rounded lips like in English 'too'.
Stressing the first syllable too strongly.
Mixing up the pitch accent with 'iu' (to say).
Pronouncing 'wa' as 'va'.
Making the 'i' sound too long like 'ee'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The Kanji 祝 is common but can be confused with 呪 (curse).

Writing 3/5

The Kanji has 9 strokes and is taught in early elementary school.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires care with pitch accent.

Listening 2/5

Clearly audible in social contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

誕生日 (tanjoubi) パーティー (paatii) 友達 (tomodachi) 食べる (taberu) 飲む (nomu)

Learn Next

贈り物 (okurimono) 祝日 (shukujitsu) 記念日 (kinenbi) 乾杯 (kanpai) 成功 (seikou)

Advanced

寿ぐ (kotohogu) 祝詞 (norito) 慶賀 (keiga) 嘉悦 (kaetsu) 祝典 (shukuten)

Grammar to Know

Particle を (wo)

勝利を祝う。

Particle で (de) for means

食事で祝う。

Volitional form (～おう)

みんなで祝おう！

Te-form for reason (～て)

合格を祝ってパーティーをした。

Humble Keigo (お～する)

ご結婚をお祝いします。

Examples by Level

たんじょうびをいわいます。

I celebrate my birthday.

Basic 'Noun + wo + Verb' structure.

かぞくといわいました。

I celebrated with my family.

Using 'to' to mean 'with'.

なにをいわいますか？

What are you celebrating?

Question form using 'nani'.

パーティーでいわおう！

Let's celebrate with a party!

Casual volitional form 'iwaou'.

ともだちをいわいたい。

I want to celebrate my friend.

Desire form '-tai'.

おしょうがつをいわいます。

We celebrate the New Year.

Common noun 'Oshougatsu'.

いっしょにいわいましょう。

Let's celebrate together.

Polite volitional '-mashou'.

プレゼントでいわいました。

I celebrated with a gift.

Using 'de' for means.

そつぎょうをいわって、うたをうたいました。

We celebrated graduation and sang songs.

Te-form used to connect actions.

けっこんをおいわいしましょう。

Let's celebrate the marriage.

Adding 'o-' for politeness.

ごうかくをいわうために、ケーキをかいました。

I bought a cake to celebrate passing the exam.

'Verb (dictionary form) + tame ni' (in order to).

だれがあなたのたんじょうびをいわってくれましたか？

Who celebrated your birthday for you?

'-te kureru' showing gratitude for an action.

わたしたちはまいとし、このひをいわいます。

We celebrate this day every year.

Adverb 'maitoshi' (every year).

おさけをのんで、しょうりをいわおう。

Let's drink sake and celebrate the victory.

Casual volitional form.

ははのひをいわわないひとはいません。

There is no one who doesn't celebrate Mother's Day.

Double negative for emphasis.

レストランをよやくして、きねんびをいわいました。

I reserved a restaurant and celebrated our anniversary.

Sequential actions with te-form.

新しい門出を祝って、乾杯しましょう。

Let's toast to celebrate your new beginning.

Metaphorical noun 'kadode' (new start).

彼の成功を心から祝いたいと思います。

I would like to celebrate his success from the bottom of my heart.

Formal expression 'to omoimasu'.

会社の一周年を祝う会が開かれた。

A meeting to celebrate the company's first anniversary was held.

Passive form 'hirakareta'.

ご結婚、心よりお祝い申し上げます。

I offer my heartiest congratulations on your marriage.

Humble/Keigo 'o-iwai moushiagemasu'.

日本中がそのニュースを祝った。

All of Japan celebrated that news.

Subject 'Nihon-juu' (all of Japan).

優勝を祝って、パレードが行われた。

A parade was held to celebrate the championship.

Cause-and-effect te-form.

私たちは彼の還暦を盛大に祝いました。

We celebrated his 60th birthday grandly.

Adverb 'seidai ni' (grandly).

お互いの再会を祝って、写真を撮った。

We took a photo to celebrate our reunion.

Noun 'saikai' (reunion).

伝統的な方法で新年を祝う風習が残っている。

Customs of celebrating the New Year in traditional ways still remain.

Relative clause 'iwau fuushuu'.

無事に工事が終わったことを祝って、宴会をした。

We had a banquet to celebrate the safe completion of the construction.

Nominalized clause 'owatta koto'.

村の人々は豊作を祝う祭りを準備している。

The villagers are preparing a festival to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

Noun 'housaku' (bountiful harvest).

彼の快気祝いをしようと、仲間が集まった。

Friends gathered to celebrate his recovery from illness.

Noun 'kaiki-iwai' (recovery celebration).

この日は平和を祝う日として制定された。

This day was established as a day to celebrate peace.

Passive 'seitei sareta' (was established).

子供の成長を祝う七五三の行事に行った。

I went to the Shichi-Go-San event to celebrate the growth of children.

Specific cultural term 'Shichi-Go-San'.

受賞を祝うメッセージが次々と届いた。

Messages celebrating the award arrived one after another.

Compound verb 'todoke' (arrived).

新築を祝って、近所の人を招待した。

I invited the neighbors to celebrate the new house.

Noun 'shinchiku' (newly built).

建国記念日を祝う式典が厳かに行われた。

The ceremony to celebrate National Foundation Day was held solemnly.

Adverb 'ogosoka ni' (solemnly).

恩師の傘寿を祝うために、教え子たちが集結した。

To celebrate their teacher's 80th birthday, former students gathered.

Specific age term 'Sanju' (80th).

彼の功績を祝うとともに、今後の活躍を期待する。

While celebrating his achievements, we also expect his future success.

Conjunction 'to tomo ni' (along with/while).

その詩は自然の美しさを祝うような響きを持っている。

That poem has a resonance that seems to celebrate the beauty of nature.

Simile 'iwau you na'.

長年の沈黙を破り、再会を祝う言葉を交わした。

Breaking a long silence, they exchanged words celebrating their reunion.

Complex sentence structure.

歴史的な和解を祝う鐘が街中に響き渡った。

Bells celebrating the historic reconciliation rang throughout the city.

Compound verb 'hibiki-watatta'.

新時代の幕開けを祝うかのように、花火が上がった。

Fireworks went up as if to celebrate the dawn of a new era.

Conjectural 'ka no you ni'.

老舗の創業百周年を祝う行事が一年を通して行われる。

Events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the long-established shop will be held throughout the year.

Noun 'shinise' (long-established shop).

万葉の時代から、人々は言霊によって門出を祝ってきた。

Since the Manyo period, people have celebrated new beginnings through the power of words (kotodama).

Historical reference 'Manyo no jidai'.

その祝詞は、神々の加護を祝い、国家の安寧を祈るものである。

That Shinto prayer celebrates the protection of the gods and prays for the peace of the nation.

Technical term 'norito' (Shinto prayer).

生命の神秘を祝うかのような、荘厳な交響曲であった。

It was a solemn symphony that seemed to celebrate the mystery of life.

Abstract noun 'shinpi' (mystery).

古希を祝う宴で、彼は自らの波乱万丈な人生を振り返った。

At the banquet celebrating his 70th birthday, he looked back on his tumultuous life.

Idiom 'baran-banjou' (full of ups and downs).

新緑が山々を彩り、まるで大地が春の訪れを祝っているかのようだ。

The fresh greenery colors the mountains, as if the earth itself is celebrating the arrival of spring.

Personification of 'daichi' (earth).

伝統芸能の継承を祝うとともに、次世代への課題を提示した。

While celebrating the succession of traditional arts, he also presented challenges for the next generation.

Formal presentation of ideas.

その建築は、光と影の調和を祝う空間として設計されている。

The architecture is designed as a space that celebrates the harmony of light and shadow.

Metaphorical use of 'iwau'.

世紀を跨ぐ偉業を祝うべく、世界各国の指導者が一堂に会した。

To celebrate the achievement spanning a century, leaders from around the world gathered together.

Formal auxiliary '-beku' (in order to).

Common Collocations

誕生日を祝う

結婚を祝う

新年を祝う

門出を祝う

成功を祝う

還暦を祝う

優勝を祝う

快気を祝う

再会を祝う

長寿を祝う

Common Phrases

お祝いを言う

— To say congratulations. This refers to the verbal act of congratulating.

彼に直接お祝いを言いたい。

お祝いを贈る

— To send or give a celebratory gift. This is very common in Japanese culture.

結婚のお祝いを贈った。

お祝いをする

— To have a celebration or perform the act of celebrating.

合格のお祝いをしましょう。

内祝い

— A return gift given to those who gave you a celebration gift.

内祝いの品を選んでいる。

祝い膳

— A special celebratory meal, often served in traditional trays.

お正月には祝い膳を囲む。

祝い酒

— Celebratory sake drunk to mark a happy occasion.

優勝の祝い酒を酌み交わす。

祝い金

— Congratulatory money given for weddings, births, etc.

親戚から祝い金をいただいた。

祝い事

— A celebratory event or a happy occasion.

最近、親戚に祝い事が続いている。

祝い袋

— The special envelope used for giving celebratory money.

祝い袋の書き方を調べる。

祝い花

— Flowers sent to celebrate an opening or a performance.

劇場のロビーに祝い花が並んでいる。

Often Confused With

祝う vs 呪う (norou)

The Kanji looks almost identical, but the meaning is the exact opposite (to curse).

祝う vs 褒める (homeru)

Learners often use 'iwau' when they mean to praise someone's effort.

祝う vs 祭る (matsuru)

Used for gods/spirits, whereas 'iwau' is for human events.

Idioms & Expressions

"門出を祝う"

— To celebrate someone starting a new chapter in life, like a job or marriage.

卒業生の新しい門出を祝う。

Neutral/Formal

"盃を交わして祝う"

— To celebrate by drinking sake together, implying a deep bond.

再会を喜び、盃を交わして祝った。

Traditional/Formal

"手放しで祝う"

— To celebrate wholeheartedly without any reservations or conditions.

彼の成功を手放しで祝う。

Casual/Neutral

"心から祝う"

— To celebrate from the bottom of one's heart.

親友の幸せを心から祝う。

Neutral

"盛大に祝う"

— To celebrate on a large and grand scale.

創立記念日を盛大に祝う。

Neutral

"ささやかに祝う"

— To celebrate in a small, humble way.

家族だけでささやかに祝いました。

Neutral

"前途を祝う"

— To celebrate and wish well for someone's future path.

若者の前途を祝う言葉を贈る。

Formal

"重ねて祝う"

— To celebrate multiple happy events at once.

誕生日と昇進を重ねて祝った。

Neutral

"共に祝う"

— To celebrate together with others.

勝利の喜びを共に祝う。

Neutral

"祝うに値する"

— To be worthy of celebration.

それは歴史に残る、祝うに値する出来事だ。

Formal/Literary

Easily Confused

祝う vs お祝い (oiwai)

Both relate to celebration.

'Oiwai' is a noun (the gift or the event), while 'iwau' is the action (to celebrate).

お祝い（Noun）を渡して、誕生日を祝う（Verb）。

祝う vs 喜び (yorokobi)

Both involve joy.

'Yorokobi' is the feeling of joy; 'iwau' is the social act of expressing it.

喜びを感じながら、成功を祝う。

祝う vs 記念 (kinen)

Both mark an occasion.

'Kinen' is more about memory and commemoration; 'iwau' is about festive celebration.

十周年を記念して、パーティーで祝う。

祝う vs 祝福 (shukufuku)

Both mean celebrate/bless.

'Shukufuku' is more formal and often implies a blessing for the future.

新婚夫婦の門出を祝福する。

祝う vs 乾杯 (kanpai)

Both happen at parties.

'Kanpai' is the specific act of toasting; 'iwau' is the overall celebration.

成功を祝って乾杯する。

Sentence Patterns

[Event] を祝います。

誕生日を祝います。

[Method] で [Event] を祝う。

ケーキで誕生日を祝う。

[Person] の [Event] を祝ってあげる。

友達の結婚を祝ってあげる。

[Event] を祝うために [Action]。

合格を祝うために集まった。

[Event] を盛大に祝う。

還暦を盛大に祝う。

[Event] が祝われる。

新年が祝われる。

[Event] を祝うとともに、[Action]。

成功を祝うとともに感謝する。

[Event] を祝うべく、[Action]。

再会を祝うべく乾杯した。

Word Family

Nouns

お祝い (oiwai) - Celebration/Gift

祝日 (shukujitsu) - Public Holiday

祝賀 (shukuga) - Celebration/Congratulation

祝儀 (shuugi) - Celebratory gift of money

祝杯 (shukuhai) - Celebratory toast

Verbs

祝する (shukusuru) - To celebrate (formal)

お祝いする (oiwai suru) - To celebrate (polite)

Adjectives

祝いがたい (iwaigatai) - Hard to celebrate (rare)

おめでたい (omedetai) - Auspicious/Happy

祝電 (shukuden) - Congratulatory telegram

祝辞 (shukuji) - Congratulatory speech

祝典 (shukuten) - Festival/Celebration

祝宴 (shukuen) - Banquet

祝砲 (shukuhou) - Artillery salute

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in social, family, and formal contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'iwau' as a greeting. → Omedetou!
You don't say 'I celebrate you' to someone's face; you say 'Congratulations!'
Tanjoubi ni iwaimasu. → Tanjoubi wo iwaimasu.
The event being celebrated is the direct object and needs 'wo'.
Using 'iwau' for a funeral. → Itamu / Kuyamu
'Iwau' is strictly for happy, festive occasions.
Writing 祝 with the wrong radical. → 祝 (Spirit radical 礻)
Using the clothing radical (衤) is a common Kanji error.
Confusing 'iwau' with 'homeru' (praise). → Seikou wo iwau (Celebrate success).
You praise a person's skill, but you celebrate their success/event.

Tips

Verb Conjugation

Remember that 'iwau' is a Godan verb. The 'u' changes to 'wa' for negative (iwanai) and 'i' for polite (iwaimasu).

Gift Etiquette

When you 'iwau' a wedding, always use a new, crisp bill in the gift envelope. Old bills are considered rude.

Noun vs Verb

Don't confuse 'Oiwai' (gift/event) with 'Iwau' (to celebrate). You 'give' an oiwai, but you 'do' iwau.

Toast Phrases

A common way to start a celebration is '[Event] wo iwatte, kanpai!' (Let's toast to celebrate [Event]!).

Kanji Precision

The left side of 祝 is 礻. Do not write it as 衤 (which is for clothing). This is a common mistake.

Group Harmony

In Japan, 'iwau' is often a group activity. If a coworker is celebrated, it's polite to join in, even if just with a small comment.

Context Clues

If you hear 'iwau,' look for red and white colors nearby; these are the traditional colors of celebration in Japan.

Sound Link

Iwau sounds like 'Ewe' + 'Wow'. Imagine a sheep saying 'Wow!' at a surprise party.

Business Context

In business, use 'shuku-suru' or 'o-iwai itashimasu' to sound professional and respectful.

Literary Nuance

In novels, 'iwau' can be used metaphorically for nature 'celebrating' spring.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine an 'EWE' (iwau sounds slightly like 'ewe') wearing a party hat, celebrating its birthday with a cake.

Visual Association

Visualize a red and white 'mizuhiki' ribbon (used on Japanese gift envelopes) tied around the word 'iwau'.

Word Web

Birthday Wedding Gift Cake Sake Smile Party Success

Challenge

Try to use 'iwau' in a sentence for every major holiday this year. For example, on January 1st, say 'Shinnen wo iwau!'

Word Origin

The word 'iwau' originates from the Old Japanese word 'iwau', which was primarily used in a ritualistic sense. It was closely tied to the concept of 'imau' (to avoid/purify), suggesting that early celebrations were about creating a sacred space.

Original meaning: To perform a ritual to invite blessings from the gods or to purify a person/event.

Japonic

Cultural Context

When 'iwau' something, be mindful of the gift-giving culture. Giving the wrong amount or the wrong type of gift can be seen as a faux pas.

In English, 'celebrate' can be used more casually for 'having a drink.' In Japanese, 'iwau' often retains a slightly more formal or significant tone than just 'hanging out.'

Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day) is a national holiday to 'iwau' all those who turned 20 (now 18). Many anime series feature a 'birthday episode' where characters 'iwau' the protagonist. The song 'Ureshii Hinamatsuri' is about celebrating Girls' Day.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Birthday Parties

誕生日を祝う
ケーキでお祝いする
プレゼントを渡す
ハッピーバースデーを歌う

Weddings

結婚を祝う
披露宴に出席する
お祝い金を包む
末永い幸せを祈る

New Year's Eve/Day

新年を祝う
初詣に行く
おせち料理を食べる
年賀状を送る

Graduation

卒業を祝う
門出を祝う
花束を贈る
記念写真を撮る

Job Promotion

昇進を祝う
祝杯をあげる
お祝いの言葉を述べる
同僚と飲みに行く

Conversation Starters

"最近、何かお祝いしたことはありますか？ (Have you celebrated anything recently?)"

"あなたの国では、どのように新年を祝いますか？ (How do you celebrate the New Year in your country?)"

"友達の誕生日を祝うとき、何をしますか？ (What do you do when celebrating a friend's birthday?)"

"一番印象に残っているお祝いは何ですか？ (What is your most memorable celebration?)"

"合格を祝って、どこかへ行きませんか？ (Shall we go somewhere to celebrate passing the exam?)"

Journal Prompts

昨日の友達の誕生日をどうやって祝ったか書いてください。 (Write about how you celebrated your friend's birthday yesterday.)

あなたが将来、盛大に祝いたい夢の出来事は何ですか？ (What is a dream event you want to celebrate grandly in the future?)

自分の国と日本の「お祝い」の違いについて考えてみましょう。 (Think about the differences between 'celebrations' in your country and Japan.)

最近、誰かの成功を祝ったときの気持ちを表現してください。 (Express your feelings when you recently celebrated someone's success.)

日本の祝日の中で、一番祝いたい日はどれですか？ (Which Japanese holiday do you want to celebrate the most?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should say 'Omedetou' as the greeting. 'Iwau' is the verb describing the action of celebrating. For example, 'I celebrated his birthday' is 'Tanjoubi wo iwatta.'

'Iwau' is the plain form (casual), while 'o-iwai suru' is the polite/humble form. Use 'o-iwai suru' when talking to superiors or in formal situations.

Absolutely not. 'Iwau' is only for happy, positive events. For funerals or sad events, you would use words like 'itamu' (mourn) or 'kuyamu' (condole).

You use the particle 'de' for the means: 'Keeki de iwau.' This means you are using the cake as the way to celebrate.

Yes, 'Tanaka-san wo iwau' is possible, but it usually implies you are celebrating an event related to Tanaka-san, like his birthday or promotion.

Yes, many! '祝日' (holiday), '祝辞' (speech), and '祝電' (telegram) all use this Kanji.

'Uchi-iwai' is a specific cultural practice of giving a return gift to people who gave you a celebratory gift.

Yes, in formal or religious contexts, it can mean to bless or consecrate, though 'shukufuku' is more common for 'bless' today.

The object being celebrated takes the particle 'wo' (を). The people you celebrate with take 'to' (と).

Yes, it is a very common and essential word for any student of Japanese to know by the B1 level.