祝 辞(しゅくじ)

しゅくじ

noun

congratulatory address; celebratory speech

1. congratulatory address; celebratory speech

A formal speech given at a celebratory occasion such as a wedding, graduation, or opening ceremony to offer congratulations and good wishes.

校長(こうちょう)が祝辞(しゅくじ)を述(の)べた。

The principal gave a congratulatory address.

結婚式(けっこんしき)で友人(ゆうじん)に祝辞(しゅくじ)を頼(たの)まれた。

I was asked by a friend to give a congratulatory speech at the wedding.

来賓(らいひん)の祝辞(しゅくじ)が長(なが)く続(つづ)き、会場(かいじょう)の空気(くうき)が少(すこ)し重(おも)くなった。

The guest of honor's congratulatory speech went on for a long time, and the atmosphere in the venue became a bit heavy.

Usage: 祝辞(しゅくじ) is a formal term used at ceremonial occasions. It refers specifically to the speech itself, not the act of congratulating.

Common collocations

祝辞(しゅくじ)を述(の)べる (to deliver a congratulatory address)
祝辞(しゅくじ)を頼(たの)む / 祝辞(しゅくじ)を依頼(いらい)する (to ask someone to give a speech)
来賓(らいひん)の祝辞(しゅくじ) (congratulatory address by a guest of honor)

Similar words: Compare with 挨拶(あいさつ) (greeting/speech), which is broader and can be used for any kind of address. 祝辞(しゅくじ) is specifically celebratory. The opposite is 弔辞(ちょうじ) (eulogy/funeral address).

Related Words

Antonym: 弔辞(ちょうじ) (eulogy; funeral address)

Related: 祝賀(しゅくが) (celebration; congratulation)

Compare: 祝電(しゅくでん) (congratulatory telegram)

Compare: ご挨拶(あいさつ) (greeting)

general

Added 2026.3.3 20:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

14500/14759_shukuji