めでたい
めでたい
i-adjective
auspicious, joyous, happy
1.
auspicious, joyous, worthy of celebration
Describes an event, occasion, or outcome that is fortunate and calls for celebration.
めでたい日だ。
It's an auspicious day.
合格おめでとう、めでたいね。
Congratulations on passing — what wonderful news!
新年を迎えるにあたって、めでたい席が設けられた。
A celebratory gathering was arranged to welcome the new year.
2.
naive, simple-minded, overly optimistic
Used ironically to describe someone who is blissfully unaware or foolishly optimistic.
あいつはめでたいやつだ。
That guy is hopelessly naive.
そんなにめでたい考えでは失敗するよ。
With such naive thinking, you'll fail.
自分だけは大丈夫だと思っているなんて、めでたい頭だ。
Thinking you alone will be fine — what a blissfully naive mind.
CONJUGATION:
- Negative: めでたくない
- Past: めでたかった
- Te-form: めでたくて
- Adverbial: めでたく
USAGE:
Sense 1 is the primary meaning, used for weddings, births, New Year, and other celebrations. The polite prefix お- is attached in the greeting おめでとう (congratulations).
Sense 2 is ironic and mildly derogatory. The phrase めでたいやつ or めでたい頭 means someone who is foolishly carefree or oblivious.
CULTURAL NOTE:
めでたい is strongly associated with Japanese celebratory culture. The word is connected to 鯛 (sea bream) through the pun めで鯛, making sea bream a staple at celebrations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- めでたい席: celebratory occasion
- めでたい日: auspicious day
- めでたく終わる: end happily