Meaning and Usage
"誕生日" (たんじょうび) means "birthday" in Japanese. It is a common noun used to refer to the anniversary of the day someone was born.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "誕生日" in everyday conversation, especially when talking about celebrations, gifts, or plans related to someone's birth date.
Typical Collocations
- 誕生日おめでとう (たんじょうびおめでとう): "Happy birthday" — a common greeting.
- 誕生日パーティー (たんじょうびパーティー): "birthday party" — a celebration event.
- 誕生日プレゼント (たんじょうびプレゼント): "birthday present" — gifts given on birthdays.
Register and Politeness
"誕生日" is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. When wishing someone a happy birthday, "誕生日おめでとうございます" is polite.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "誕生日" with "生年月日" (せいねんがっぴ), which means "date of birth" (the actual date, not the celebration). Remember, "誕生日" refers to the anniversary or celebration, not just the date itself.