内祝(うちいわ)い

うちいわい
noun
reciprocal gift; return gift for a celebration
1. reciprocal gift; return gift given to celebrate a happy event
A gift given in return to people who gave congratulatory gifts or money for a happy event such as a birth, wedding, or recovery from illness. Also refers to the practice of sharing one's happiness with close acquaintances.
出産(しゅっさん)の内祝(うちいわ)いを贈(おく)った。
I sent return gifts for the baby shower presents.
内祝(うちいわ)いには何(なに)を選(えら)べばいいか迷(まよ)っている。
I'm unsure what to choose for the return gifts.
結婚(けっこん)のお祝(いわ)いをいただいたので、内祝(うちいわ)いとして半額(はんがく)ほどの品物(しなもの)を用意(ようい)した。
Since I received wedding gifts, I prepared return gifts worth about half the value.

Usage

内祝(うちいわ)い originally meant a celebration within the family (内(うち) = within), but in modern usage it almost always refers to the return gift given to those who sent congratulatory gifts.

Common collocations

  • 出産(しゅっさん)内祝(うちいわ)い (return gift for birth congratulations)
  • 結婚(けっこん)内祝(うちいわ)い (return gift for wedding congratulations)
  • 快気(かいき)内祝(うちいわ)い (return gift after recovery from illness)
  • 内祝(うちいわ)いを贈(おく)る (to send a return gift)

Cultural note

The standard practice is to give a return gift worth approximately half (半返(はんがえ)し) to one-third of the value of the gift received. Popular items include sweets, towels, tableware, and catalogue gifts. The gift is typically accompanied by a のし (decorative wrapper) bearing the words 内祝(うちいわ)い.

Related Words

Related: お祝(いわ)い (celebration, gift)
Related: お返(かえ)し (return gift)
Related: ご祝儀(しゅうぎ) (congratulatory gift money)
Compare: 返礼品(へんれいひん) (return gift)
general
Added 2026.3.9 17:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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