Meaning and Usage
The verb 祝う (いわう) means "to congratulate" or "to celebrate." It is commonly used when marking happy occasions such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, and other milestones. When you use 祝う, you are expressing joy or good wishes for someone's special event.
Common Contexts
祝う is often used in formal and informal settings alike. For example, you might say 誕生日を祝う (to celebrate a birthday) or 結婚を祝う (to congratulate a marriage). It can be used with both people and events.
Collocations and Patterns
- 誕生日を祝う: to celebrate a birthday
- 結婚を祝う: to congratulate a wedding
- 卒業を祝う: to celebrate graduation
- ～を祝う言葉: congratulatory words for ~
These phrases are very common in everyday conversation and formal speeches.
Nuances and Tips
祝う carries a positive and warm feeling. It is often accompanied by gifts, parties, or kind words. Be careful not to confuse 祝う with 慰める (なぐさめる), which means "to comfort" someone in sad situations. 祝う is only for happy occasions.
Register
祝う is polite and neutral, suitable for both casual and formal occasions. You can use it with friends, family, or colleagues without sounding too stiff or too casual.