Heartfelt Japanese Birthday Wishes: 25 Sweet Phrases to Say

Introduction

Birthdays are moments to celebrate life and show someone they matter. The right words can brighten a day, strengthen bonds, and create lasting memories. Below are heartfelt, funny, and inspirational Japanese birthday wishes you can use for family, friends, romantic partners, colleagues, and milestone celebrations. Each message includes a Japanese phrase and an English translation so you can send something personal and meaningful.

For family members (parents, siblings, children)

• お誕生日おめでとう！いつもありがとう、これからも元気でいてね。
  (Otanjoubi omedetou! Itsumo arigatou, korekara mo genki de ite ne.)
  Happy birthday! Thank you for everything—stay healthy and happy.

• お母さん、お誕生日おめでとう。いつまでも笑顔でいてください。
  (Okaasan, otanjoubi omedetou. Itsumademo egao de ite kudasai.)
  Mom, happy birthday. Please keep smiling forever.

• お父さん、素敵な一年になりますように。お疲れさま、今日はゆっくりしてね。
  (Otousan, suteki na ichinen ni narimasu you ni. Otsukaresama, kyou wa yukkuri shite ne.)
  Dad, may this year be wonderful. Thanks for all you do—relax today.

• 兄へ：お誕生日おめでとう！一緒に遊んだ日々は宝物だよ。
  (Ani e: Otanjoubi omedetou! Issho ni asonda hibi wa takaramono da yo.)
  To my big brother: Happy birthday! The days we played together are treasures.

• 妹へ：いつも明るくてありがとう。素敵な一年を過ごしてね。
  (Imouto e: Itsumo akarukute arigatou. Suteki na ichinen o sugoshite ne.)
  To my little sister: Thanks for your cheerful spirit—have a wonderful year.

• 子どもへ：お誕生日おめでとう！これからもたくさん笑って、いっぱい成長してね。
  (Kodomo e: Otanjoubi omedetou! Korekara mo takusan waratte, ippai seichou shite ne.)
  To my child: Happy birthday! Keep smiling and growing every day.

For friends (close friends, childhood friends)

• お誕生日おめでとう！これからもずっと友達だよ。
  (Otanjoubi omedetou! Korekara mo zutto tomodachi da yo.)
  Happy birthday! We'll be friends forever.

• 誕生日おめでとう！一緒に過ごす時間がまた増えるのが楽しみだよ。
  (Tanjoubi omedetou! Issho ni sugosu jikan ga mata fueru no ga tanoshimi da yo.)
  Happy birthday! I look forward to more time together.

• 最高の一年にしよう！今日の主役を思いっきり楽しんでね。
  (Saikou no ichinen ni shiyou! Kyou no shuyaku o omoikkiri tanoshinde ne.)
  Let’s make it the best year—enjoy your special day to the fullest.

• 年を取るのは嫌？でも心はまだ若い！お誕生日おめでとう。
  (Toshi o toru no wa iya? Demo kokoro wa mada wakai! Otanjoubi omedetou.)
  Hate getting older? Your heart’s still young—happy birthday.

• 昔の思い出に乾杯！これからの冒険も一緒に。
  (Mukashi no omoide ni kanpai! Korekara no bouken mo issho ni.)
  Cheers to old memories—let’s share new adventures too.

• ジョーク系：今年も年齢は秘密ね！お誕生日おめでとう！
  (Jooku-kei: Kotoshi mo nenrei wa himitsu ne! Otanjoubi omedetou!)
  (Joke) This year your age is a secret—happy birthday!

For romantic partners

• お誕生日おめでとう、愛してる。君といる毎日が宝物だよ。
  (Otanjoubi omedetou, aishiteru. Kimi to iru mainichi ga takaramono da yo.)
  Happy birthday, I love you. Every day with you is a treasure.

• 君の笑顔が一番のプレゼント。幸せな一年を一緒に作ろうね。
  (Kimi no egao ga ichiban no purezento. Shiawase na ichinen o issho ni tsukurou ne.)
  Your smile is my best gift. Let’s make a happy year together.

• 特別な日に、特別な君へ。これからも隣で支え合おう。
  (Tokubetsu na hi ni, tokubetsu na kimi e. Korekara mo tonari de sasaeaiou.)
  On your special day to my special one—let’s keep supporting each other.

• 君の将来がもっと輝きますように。僕（私）はずっと味方だよ。
  (Kimi no shourai ga motto kagayakimasu you ni. Boku/Watashi wa zutto mikata da yo.)
  May your future shine brighter—I’ll always be by your side.

• 甘いメッセージ：君のために世界中の星を集めるよ。お誕生日おめでとう。
  (Amai meesseeji: Kimi no tame ni sekaijuu no hoshi o atsumeru yo. Otanjoubi omedetou.)
  Sweet message: I’d gather the stars for you—happy birthday.

• 冗談混じり：ケーキは半分こね…でも1口は譲らないよ！おめでとう。
  (Joudan majiri: Keeki wa hanbunko ne... demo hitokuchi wa yuzuranai yo! Omedetou.)
  (Playful) Cake is half and half—but I won't give up one bite! Happy birthday.

For colleagues and acquaintances

• お誕生日おめでとうございます。素晴らしい一年になりますようお祈りしております。
  (Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu. Subarashii ichinen ni narimasu you o oinori shite orimasu.)
  Formal: Happy birthday. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

• いつもお世話になっています。健康とご活躍をお祈りします。お誕生日おめでとうございます。
  (Itsumo osewa ni natteimasu. Kenkou to gokatsuyaku o oinori shimasu. Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu.)
  Thank you for everything—wishing you health and success.

• 仕事がますますうまくいきますように。良い誕生日をお過ごしください。
  (Shigoto ga masumasu umaku ikimasu you ni. Yoi tanjoubi o osugoshi kudasai.)
  Wishing success in your work—have a great birthday.

• カジュアル：おめでとうございます！今日はゆっくり休んでリフレッシュしてください。
  (Kajuaaru: Omedetou gozaimasu! Kyou wa yukkuri yasunde rifuresshu shite kudasai.)
  Casual: Congrats! Take it easy and refresh today.

• ユーモアを添えて：年齢はただの数字、プレゼンはあなたの得意分野です！お誕生日おめでとう。
  (Yuumoa o soete: Nenrei wa tada no suuji, purezen wa anata no tokui bunya desu! Otanjoubi omedetou.)
  With humor: Age is just a number—presentations are your specialty! Happy birthday.

• 同僚へ：これからも一緒に頑張りましょう。素敵な一年になりますように。
  (Douryou e: Korekara mo issho ni ganbarimashou. Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu you ni.)
  To a colleague: Let’s keep doing our best together—have a wonderful year.

For milestone birthdays (18th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, etc.)

• 18歳：成人おめでとう！新しい一歩を楽しんでね。
  (18-sai: Seijin omedetou! Atarashii ippo o tanoshinde ne.)
  18th: Congratulations on becoming an adult—enjoy your new steps.

• 20歳：二十歳おめでとう。大人の扉が開きますね！
  (20-sai: Hatachi omedetou. Otona no tobira ga hirakimasu ne!)
  20th: Happy 20th—your adult door opens now!

• 30歳：素敵な30代を楽しんで。経験があなたをもっと魅力的にします。
  (30-sai: Suteki na sanjuudai o tanoshinde. Keiken ga anata o motto miryokuteki ni shimasu.)
  30th: Enjoy your 30s—your experiences make you even more attractive.

• 40歳：お誕生日おめでとう。ますます充実した毎日になりますように。
  (40-sai: Otanjoubi omedetou. Masumasu juujitsu shita mainichi ni narimasu you ni.)
  40th: Happy birthday—may your days be more fulfilling.

• 還暦（60歳）：還暦おめでとうございます。新しい節目を心から祝福します。
  (Kanreki (60-sai): Kanreki omedetou gozaimasu. Atarashii fushime o kokoro kara shukufuku shimasu.)
  60th (Kanreki): Congratulations on this milestone—heartfelt blessings for your new chapter.

• 50歳：半世紀おめでとう！これからも元気で幸せな日々を。
  (50-sai: Hanseiki omedetou! Korekara mo genki de shiawase na hibi o.)
  50th: Congratulations on half a century—wishing you continued health and happiness.

Conclusion

The right words—funny, sincere, or inspiring—can make a birthday unforgettable. Use these Japanese birthday wishes to express your feelings clearly and warmly; tailoring one to the person’s personality makes the message even more special. Whether spoken, written in a card, or sent in a message, thoughtful wishes show you care.