おめでとう

おめでとう
expression
congratulations
expression
1. congratulations
An expression of congratulation for achievements, special occasions, or celebrations. The polite form is おめでとうございます.
誕生日(たんじょうび)おめでとう!
Happy birthday!
Congratulations on passing!
Polite form
あけましておめでとうございます
Happy New Year!
New Year greeting
Congratulations on your wedding. Best wishes for your happiness.
Congratulations on your graduation! Keep doing your best.

おめでとう expresses congratulations for achievements or celebrations. From the adjective めでたい (auspicious, happy).

Register

  • おめでとう: casual (friends, family)
  • おめでとうございます: polite (formal situations, superiors)

Common occasions

Usage

The occasion word comes first, followed by おめでとう. New Year's greeting is a set phrase: あけましておめでとうございます (lit. "Congratulations on the opening [of the new year]").