Hello, I’m Kodak.
When something good happens to a Japanese friend, you may want to say “Congratulations!”—but which Japanese expression should you choose?
Do they all mean “congratulations”?
The basic Japanese word for “Congratulations!” is おめでとう (omedetou).
The others describe the celebration, happiness, or joyful nature of the event.
おめでとう！
Congratulations! — casual
おめでとうございます。
Congratulations. — polite
[Happy event] + おめでとう
誕生日おめでとう = Happy birthday
卒業おめでとう = Congratulations on graduating
合格おめでとう = Congratulations on passing
万歳！
Hurray! / Three cheers! — an energetic group cheer
幸せ
happiness / being happy — describes a state, not the basic congratulatory greeting
めでたい
joyful, auspicious, worthy of celebration — describes the event
This guide explains how to congratulate people naturally in casual, polite, formal, written, and celebratory situations.
How Do You Say “Congratulations” in Japanese?
Hiragana: おめでとう
Romaji: omedetou / omedetō
Meaning: Congratulations!
Tone: casual and friendly
おめでとう！
Omedetou!
Congratulations!
The polite form is:
Romaji: omedetou gozaimasu
Meaning: Congratulations.
Tone: polite and respectful
おめでとうございます！
Omedetou gozaimasu!
Congratulations!
It is safe for teachers, supervisors, older people, acquaintances, customers, and formal occasions.
Omedetou vs Omedetou Gozaimasu
Friends, family, children, partners, close coworkers
おめでとうございます
Teachers, supervisors, customers, acquaintances, older people, formal ceremonies
However, it can sound too familiar when speaking to someone you should treat respectfully.
Read the full guide: Omedetou Meaning, Omedetou Gozaimasu, and Happy Birthday in Japanese
The Basic Pattern: [Event] + Omedetou
Japanese usually places the happy event or achievement before おめでとう.
誕生日 + おめでとう
卒業 + おめでとう
合格 + おめでとう
優勝 + おめでとう
occasion first + congratulatory greeting
So say 誕生日おめでとう, literally “Birthday—congratulations.”
How to Congratulate Someone on Their Birthday
Happy birthday! — casual
お誕生日おめでとう！
Happy birthday! — friendly and slightly polished
お誕生日おめでとうございます。
Happy birthday. — polite
お誕生日おめでとう！素敵な一年になりますように。
Otanjoubi omedetou! Suteki na ichinen ni narimasu yō ni.
Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful year.
お誕生日おめでとうございます。幸せな一年になりますように。
Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu. Shiawase na ichinen ni narimasu yō ni.
Happy birthday. I hope the coming year will be a happy one.
Use お誕生日おめでとう.
幸せな誕生日 can describe a birthday that was happy, but it does not replace “Happy birthday!”
How to Congratulate Someone on Marriage
Congratulations on getting married! — casual
ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on your marriage. — polite
末永くお幸せに。
Wishing you many years of happiness.
ご結婚おめでとうございます。末永くお幸せに。
Go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu. Suenagaku o-shiawase ni.
Congratulations on your marriage. Wishing you many years of happiness.
It is especially common when congratulating a couple.
Learn more: Shiawase Meaning and the Japanese Kanji 幸せ
How to Congratulate Someone on Graduation
Congratulations on graduating! — casual
ご卒業おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on your graduation. — polite
卒業おめでとう！これからも頑張ってね。
Sotsugyō omedetou! Kore kara mo ganbatte ne.
Congratulations on graduating! Keep doing your best.
ご卒業おめでとうございます。今後のご活躍をお祈りしています。
Go-sotsugyō omedetou gozaimasu. Kongo no go-katsuyaku o oinori shite imasu.
Congratulations on your graduation. I wish you continued success.
How to Congratulate Someone on Passing an Exam
Congratulations on passing!
試験合格おめでとう！
Congratulations on passing the exam!
合格おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on passing. — polite
第一志望の大学に合格したんだね。おめでとう！
Dai-ichi shibō no daigaku ni gōkaku shita n da ne. Omedetou!
You got into your first-choice university. Congratulations!
After the person passes, say 合格おめでとう！
How to Congratulate Someone on Entering School
Congratulations on entering school!
ご入学おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on your admission/enrollment. — polite
高校入学おめでとう！新しい生活を楽しんでね。
Kōkō nyūgaku omedetou! Atarashii seikatsu o tanoshinde ne.
Congratulations on starting high school! Enjoy your new life.
How to Congratulate Someone on a New Job or Promotion
Congratulations on getting a job!
ご就職おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on your new job. — polite
昇進おめでとう！
Congratulations on your promotion!
ご昇進おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on your promotion. — polite
昇進おめでとうございます。ますますのご活躍をお祈りしています。
Shōshin omedetou gozaimasu. Masumasu no go-katsuyaku o oinori shite imasu.
Congratulations on your promotion. I wish you continued success.
ご昇進おめでとうございます。
Adding a respectful wish such as ますますのご活躍をお祈りしています makes the message more professional.
How to Congratulate Someone on a New Baby
Congratulations on the birth of your baby!
ご出産おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on the birth of your baby. — polite
ご出産おめでとうございます。赤ちゃんの健やかな成長をお祈りしています。
Go-shussan omedetou gozaimasu. Akachan no sukoyaka na seichō o oinori shite imasu.
Congratulations on the birth of your baby. I wish your baby healthy growth.
A warm reaction such as おめでとう！うれしい知らせだね may feel more natural. Follow the person’s tone and relationship.
How to Congratulate Someone on Winning
Congratulations on winning the championship!
受賞おめでとうございます。
Congratulations on receiving the award.
勝利おめでとう！
Congratulations on your victory!
大会優勝おめでとう！本当にすごいね。
Taikai yūshō omedetou! Hontō ni sugoi ne.
Congratulations on winning the tournament! That is amazing.
When Do Japanese People Say Banzai?
万歳 (banzai) is not the basic direct translation of “Congratulations.” It is an energetic cheer similar to “Hurray!” “Long live…!” or “Three cheers!”
You congratulate the person directly.
万歳
A group celebrates the person, team, success, or result.
If everyone then raises their arms and cheers the result, the group may shout 万歳！
全員合格だ！万歳！
Zen’in gōkaku da! Banzai!
Everyone passed! Hurray!
Learn more: Banzai Meaning, Japanese Celebrations, and Why Japanese Say Banzai
What Does Shiawase Add to a Congratulations Message?
幸せ (shiawase) means happiness, good fortune, or being happy and fulfilled. It is not the basic greeting “Congratulations,” but it is useful when you wish someone future happiness.
Congratulations!
幸せになってね。
I hope you will be happy.
末永くお幸せに。
Wishing you lasting happiness.
幸せな一年になりますように。
I hope it will be a happy year.
幸せ describes happiness. To congratulate someone, begin with おめでとう, then add a wish using 幸せ.
What Does Medetai Add to the Celebration?
めでたい (medetai) is an adjective meaning joyful, auspicious, or worthy of celebration.
Today is a joyful day worth celebrating.
二人の結婚はめでたいことだ。
Their marriage is something to celebrate.
めでたく合格した。
He/she successfully passed.
But the standard direct greeting is still おめでとう.
Learn more: Medetai Meaning, Omedetai, and Japanese Celebration Usage
Omedetou, Banzai, Shiawase, and Medetai: The Difference
A direct congratulatory greeting
⇒ Congratulations!
万歳
An energetic public or group cheer
⇒ Hurray! / Long live…!
幸せ
The state of being happy, fortunate, or fulfilled
⇒ happiness / happy
めでたい
An adjective describing an event as joyful or worthy of celebration
⇒ auspicious / celebratory
結婚おめでとう！
Congratulations on your marriage!
末永くお幸せに。
Wishing you lasting happiness.
今日はめでたい日です。
Today is a joyful day worth celebrating.
二人の門出を祝って、万歳！
Three cheers for the couple’s new beginning!
How to Write a Natural Japanese Congratulations Message
A beginner-friendly message can be built in three steps.
卒業 / 結婚 / 合格 / 誕生日
Step 2: Add おめでとう
卒業おめでとう！
Step 3: Add a personal wish or comment
これからも頑張ってね。
I hope you keep doing your best.
[Occasion] + おめでとうございます。
[Wish, praise, or personal comment].
ご卒業おめでとうございます。新しい環境でも頑張ってください。
Congratulations on your graduation. I wish you the best in your new environment.
お誕生日おめでとう！これからも一緒に楽しい思い出を作ろうね。
Happy birthday! Let’s continue making wonderful memories together.
ご結婚おめでとうございます。笑顔の絶えない家庭を築いてください。
Congratulations on your marriage. I hope you build a home filled with smiles.
Add a longer wish only when it suits the relationship and occasion.
Casual Japanese Congratulations Messages
Congratulations!
本当におめでとう！
Congratulations! I’m really happy for you!
やったね！おめでとう！
You did it! Congratulations!
すごい！おめでとう！
Amazing! Congratulations!
よかったね！
That’s great! / I’m happy for you!
合格したの？すごい！本当におめでとう！
Gōkaku shita no? Sugoi! Hontō ni omedetou!
You passed? Amazing! Congratulations!
Polite Japanese Congratulations Messages
Congratulations.
心よりお祝い申し上げます。
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations.
今後ますますのご活躍をお祈り申し上げます。
I sincerely wish you continued success.
末永いご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。
I sincerely wish you lasting happiness.
お祝い申し上げます is more formal and is common in cards, letters, announcements, and ceremonial messages.
How to Reply to Congratulations in Japanese
Thank you! — casual
ありがとうございます！
Thank you very much! — polite
お祝いしてくれてありがとう。
Thank you for congratulating me.
覚えていてくれてありがとう。
Thank you for remembering.
温かいお言葉をありがとうございます。
Thank you for your kind words.
おめでとう！
Congratulations!ありがとう！すごくうれしい！
Thank you! I’m so happy!
こちらこそ means “the same to you” or “I should be thanking you,” so it needs a special context and is not the standard reply.
Congratulations in Japanese Anime and Manga
Congratulations!
やったな！おめでとう！
You did it! Congratulations!
これはめでたい！
This is wonderful news!
みんな、万歳！
Everyone, three cheers!
幸せになれよ。
Be happy, okay?
The others depend more on tone and context. これはめでたい can sound dramatic or traditional, while 万歳 is much louder and more ceremonial.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Shiawase as “Congratulations”
Not the normal direct congratulatory greeting
○ おめでとう！
Congratulations!
○ 幸せになってね。
I hope you will be happy.
Mistake 2: Using Medetai Instead of Omedetou
Describes the event
おめでとう
Congratulates the person
Mistake 3: Using Banzai for Every Happy Event
万歳 is a group cheer. For birthdays, graduations, weddings, and personal achievements, おめでとう is the standard choice.
Mistake 4: Reversing the Word Order
○ 誕生日おめでとう
Mistake 5: Using the Casual Form with a Superior
Use おめでとうございます for teachers, supervisors, customers, and formal relationships.
Mistake 6: Congratulating Before the Result
Before an exam or competition, use 頑張って. After the success is confirmed, use おめでとう.
Mistake 7: Calling Someone Omedetai
おめでたい人 often means a naive or overly optimistic person. It is not a normal compliment.
[Happy event] + おめでとう
Then add ございます when you need to sound polite.
Natural Example Sentences
誕生日おめでとう！
Tanjoubi omedetou!
Happy birthday!
ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on your marriage.
卒業おめでとう。よく頑張ったね。
Sotsugyō omedetou. Yoku ganbatta ne.
Congratulations on graduating. You worked hard.
合格おめでとう！本当にすごいよ。
Gōkaku omedetou! Hontō ni sugoi yo.
Congratulations on passing! That is amazing.
ご入学おめでとうございます。
Go-nyūgaku omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on entering school.
就職おめでとう！新しい仕事も頑張ってね。
Shūshoku omedetou! Atarashii shigoto mo ganbatte ne.
Congratulations on your new job! Good luck with the new work.
ご昇進おめでとうございます。
Go-shōshin omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on your promotion.
ご出産おめでとうございます。
Go-shussan omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on the birth of your baby.
優勝おめでとう！
Yūshō omedetou!
Congratulations on winning the championship!
受賞おめでとうございます。
Jushō omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on receiving the award.
おめでとう！これからも応援しているよ。
Omedetou! Kore kara mo ōen shite iru yo.
Congratulations! I’ll keep supporting you.
ご結婚おめでとうございます。末永くお幸せに。
Go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu. Suenagaku o-shiawase ni.
Congratulations on your marriage. Wishing you lasting happiness.
全員合格だ！万歳！
Zen’in gōkaku da! Banzai!
Everyone passed! Hurray!
今日は本当にめでたい日ですね。
Kyō wa hontō ni medetai hi desu ne.
Today is truly a day worth celebrating.
ありがとうございます。温かいお言葉をいただき、うれしいです。
Arigatou gozaimasu. Atatakai o-kotoba o itadaki, ureshii desu.
Thank you very much. I’m happy to receive your kind words.
FAQ About Congratulations in Japanese
How do you say congratulations in Japanese?
Say おめでとう casually or おめでとうございます politely.
How do you congratulate someone politely in Japanese?
Use [occasion] + おめでとうございます, such as ご卒業おめでとうございます.
What is the difference between omedetou and omedetou gozaimasu?
おめでとう is casual and friendly. おめでとうございます is polite and respectful.
What is the Japanese word order for congratulations?
Place the occasion first: 誕生日おめでとう, 卒業おめでとう, and 合格おめでとう.
Does banzai mean congratulations?
Not exactly. 万歳 is an energetic cheer meaning “Hurray” or “Long live,” while おめでとう directly means “Congratulations.”
Does shiawase mean congratulations?
No. 幸せ means happiness or being happy. It can be added to a congratulatory message as a wish for future happiness.
Does medetai mean congratulations?
めでたい is an adjective meaning joyful, auspicious, or worthy of celebration. The direct greeting is おめでとう.
How do you say happy birthday in Japanese?
Say お誕生日おめでとう casually or お誕生日おめでとうございます politely.
How do you congratulate someone on marriage in Japanese?
Say ご結婚おめでとうございます. You can add 末永くお幸せに, meaning “Wishing you lasting happiness.”
How do you congratulate someone on graduating?
Say 卒業おめでとう casually or ご卒業おめでとうございます politely.
How do you congratulate someone on passing an exam?
Say 合格おめでとう or the polite 合格おめでとうございます.
How do you reply to congratulations in Japanese?
Say ありがとう casually or ありがとうございます politely.
What is a very formal way to congratulate someone?
Use 心よりお祝い申し上げます, meaning “Please accept my heartfelt congratulations.”
Can I say omedetai to congratulate someone?
Be careful. おめでたい人 can sarcastically mean a naive person. Use おめでとう as the congratulatory greeting.
Summary: How to Congratulate in Japanese
おめでとう = Congratulations!
おめでとうございます = polite Congratulations
● Basic pattern
[Happy event] + おめでとう
誕生日おめでとう
卒業おめでとう
合格おめでとう
● 万歳
A loud group cheer: Hurray! / Long live…!
● 幸せ
Happiness or being happy; useful for wishes such as 末永くお幸せに
● めでたい
An adjective meaning joyful, auspicious, or worthy of celebration
● Casual vs polite
Close relationship ⇒ おめでとう
Polite relationship ⇒ おめでとうございます
● Formal writing
心よりお祝い申し上げます = Please accept my heartfelt congratulations
● Reply
ありがとう / ありがとうございます
[Occasion] + おめでとう
Then remember the supporting ideas:
万歳 cheers the success.
幸せ describes or wishes happiness.
めでたい describes the occasion as worth celebrating.
Learn More About Japanese Celebration Words
Learn the basic congratulatory greeting, polite forms, birthday expressions, word order, and replies.
Banzai Meaning: Japanese Celebrations and Why Japanese Say Banzai
Learn why 万歳 literally means “ten thousand years,” how banzai three cheers works, and how it differs from wartime usage.
Shiawase Meaning: 幸せ Kanji, Origin, and Usage
Learn how 幸せ expresses happiness, fulfillment, good fortune, and wishes for another person’s future.
Medetai Meaning: Japanese Usage, Origin, and Omedetai
Learn how めでたい describes an auspicious event and why おめでたい人 can sound sarcastic.
References
- Kotobank: おめでとう — congratulatory meaning, polite form, and historical development.
- Kotobank: 万歳 — celebratory meanings, historical readings, and related expressions.
- Kotobank: 幸せ — noun and adjective meanings, spelling, and etymology.
- Kotobank: めでたい — positive, historical, and celebratory meanings.
- The Japan Foundation: Irodori, Lesson 13 — practical birthday and marriage congratulations.