Lesson 18: Celebrations (お祝い)
Shall we give a present?
This lesson focuses on celebrations, gift-giving, and farewells in Japanese culture. You'll learn how to congratulate people on special occasions, discuss gift choices, express thanks for gifts, and understand social media posts about celebrations.
Key topics:
- ・Offering congratulations for birthdays, weddings, childbirth, and exam success
- ・Discussing and selecting gifts for different occasions
- ・Planning farewell parties and events
- ・Expressing gratitude when receiving gifts
- ・Reading and understanding social media posts about celebrations
- ・Writing congratulatory and farewell messages
- ・Understanding Japanese celebration customs like toasts and karaoke
Vocabulary
1
うまれる
umareru
生まれる
to be born
Example
お子さんが生まれたそうですね.
Okosan ga umareta sō desu ne.
I heard your child was born.
2
きめる
kimeru
決める
to decide
Example
名前はもう決めましたか？.
Namae wa mō kimemashitaka?.
Have you decided the name yet?
3
かんがえる
kangaeru
考える
to think
Example
ゆこれから考える.
kore kara kangaeru.
I will think about it from now.
4
おもう
omou
思う
to think
Example
それがいいと思います.
Sore ga ii to omoimasu.
I think that's good.
5
あげる
ageru
-
to give
Example
勉強の本、あげましょうか？.
Benkyō no hon, agemashou ka?.
Shall I give you some study books?
6
よぶ
yobu
呼ぶ
to call
Example
ともだちを呼びます.
Tomodachi o yobimasu.
I call my friend.
7
のこる
nokoru
残る
to stay
Example
じかんが残ります.
Jikan ga nokorimasu.
There's still time left.
8
ごちそうする
gochisō suru
ご馳走する
to treat a meal
Example
みんなにケーキをご馳走します.
minna ni keki o gochisō shimasu.
I will treat everyone with cake.
9
えらぶ
erabu
選ぶ
to choose
Example
私がケキを選んでいいですか？
Watashi ga keki oerande īdesu ka?
Can I choose the cake?
10
かざる
kazaru
飾る
to display
Example
へやに花を飾ります.
Heya ni hana o kazarimasu.
I decorate the room with flowers.
11
わすれる
wasureru
忘れる
to forget
Example
私のことを、忘わすれないでください.
Watashi no koto o , wasurenai de kudasai.
Please don't forget about me.
12
うたう
utau
歌()う
to sing
Example
たんじょうびのうたを歌います.
Tanjōbi no uta o utaimasu.
I sing happy birthday.
13
おどる
odoru
踊る
to dance
Example
パーティーで踊ります.
Pātī de odorimasu.
I dance at the party.
14
きずく
kizuku
築く
to create / to build
Example
よい関係を築きます.
Yoi kankei o kizukimasu.
I build a good relationship.
15
いなくなる
inakunaru
居なくなる
to leave
Example
ともだちがいなくなります.
Tomodachi ga inakunarimasu.
My friend is leaving.
16
きこく(する)
kikoku (suru)
帰国
(to) return to one’s country
Example
もうすぐアナさんの帰国ですね.
Mōsugu-ana-san no kikokudesu ne.
Anna will be returning home soon.
17
よやくする
yoyaku suru
予約する
to make a reservation
Example
あとでレストランの予約をしますね.
Atode resutoran no yoyaku o shimasu ne..
I will make a restaurant reservation later.
18
ともだちができる
tomodachi ga dekiru
友達ができる
to make friends
Example
あたらしい友達ができます.
Atarashii tomodachi ga dekimasu.
I make a new friend.
19
たいせつにする
taisetsu ni suru
大切にする
to take good care
Example
プレゼントを大切にします.
Purezento o taisetsu ni shimasu.
I take good care of the gift.
20
すてき(な)
suteki(na)
素敵
lovely
Example
素敵なプレゼントですね.
Suteki na purezento desune.
What a lovely present.
21
さびしい
sabishii
寂しい
be missed / lonely
Example
はじめは寂しかったです.
Hajime wa sabishikattadesu.
At first, I was lonely.
22
うれしい
ureshii
嬉しい
glad / happy
Example
おあいできて嬉しいです.
Oai dekite ureshii desu.
I'm glad to meet you.
23
おとこのこ
otokonoko
男の子
boy
Example
男の子がうまれました.
Otokonoko ga umaremashita.
A boy was born.
24
おんなのこ
onnanoko
女の子
girl
Example
女の子がいます.
Onnanoko ga imasu.
I have a daughter.
25
あいて
aite
相手
spouse
Example
相手は、どんな人ひとですか？
Aite wa, donna hito desu ka?
What kind of person is your partner?
26
さんかしゃ
sankasha
参加者
participants
Example
参加者は10人です.
Sankasha wa jū-nin desu.
There are 10 participants.
27
わたしたち
watashitachi
私たち
we
Example
私たちのたんじょうびです.
Watashitachi no tanjōbi desu.
It's our birthday.
28
しゅっさん
shussan
出産
childbirth
Example
出産おめでとうございます.
Shussan omedetō gozaimasu.
Congratulations on the birth.
29
けっこん
kekkon
結婚
(to) marry
Example
らいねん結婚します.
Rainen kekkon shimasu.
I will get married next year.
30
ごけっこん
gokekkon
ご結婚
(your) marriage
Example
ご結婚おめでとうございます.
Gokekkon omedetō gozaimasu.
Congratulations on your marriage.
31
ごうかく
gōkaku
合格
(to) pass
Example
JLPT、合格したそうですね.
JLPT, gōkaku shita sōdesu ne.
I heard you passed the JLPT..
32
そうべつかい
sōbetsukai
送別会
farewell party
Example
それで、みんなで送別会をしませんか？
sorede, minna de sōbetsukai o shimasen ka?
So, shall we have a farewell party?
33
おいわい
oiwai
お祝()い
gift/celebration
Example
お祝い待ってますよ.
oiwai mattemasu yo.
I'm waiting for a celebration.
34
おもいで
omoide
思い出
memories
Example
思い出に残るものがいいと思います.
omoide ni nokoru mono ga ī to omoimasu.
I think something memorable would be good.
35
よさん
yosan
予算
budget
Example
予算は1万円です.
Yosan wa ichiman-en desu.
The budget is 10,000 yen.
36
あいさつ
aisatsu
挨拶
speech
Example
挨拶をお願いします.
Kantan na aisatsu o onegaishimasu.
Please give a speech.
37
メッセージ
messēji
-
message
Example
誕生日のメッセージをしますありがとうございました!
Tanjōbi no messēji arigatōgozaimashita!
Thank you for the birthday messages!
38
かてい
katei
家庭
home / household
Example
あたらしい家庭をもちます.
Atarashii katei o mochimasu.
I'll start a new family.
39
かつやく
katsuyaku
活躍
success
Example
これからの活躍をいのります.
Kore kara no katsuyaku o inorimasu.
I wish for your future success.
40
はじめ
hajime
初め
at first
Example
はじめは寂しかったです.
Hajime wa sabishikattadesu.
At first, I was lonely.
41
__ だい
dai
代
__ s (e.g., 30s)
Example
30代です.
Sanjuu-dai desu.
I'm in my thirties.
42
きっと
kitto
-
surely
Example
きっとJLPTに合格しますよ.
KittoJLPT ni gōkaku shimasu yo.
I am sure you will pass JLPT.
43
とうとう
tōtō
-
finally
Example
とうとうその日がきました.
Tōtō sono hi ga kimashita.
That day finally came.
44
いつまでも
itsumade mo
-
forever (casual)
Example
いつまでも友達でいて下さい.
Itsumade mo tomodachi de ite kudasai.
Please stay my friend forever.
45
すえながく
sue nagaku
末永く
forever
Example
末永くおしあわせに.
Sue nagaku oshiawase ni.
May you be happy forever.
46
これまで
kore made
-
up until now
Example
これまでありがとう.
Kore made arigatō.
Thank you for everything until now.
47
それなら
sore nara
-
In that case
Example
それなら、デジタルフォトフレームはどうですか？
Sore nara, dejitaru fotofurēmu wa dō desu ka?
In that case, how about a digital photo frame?
48
それでは
sore dewa
-
now
Example
それでは みなさんも、元気でいてください.
Sorede wa minasan mo, genkide ite kudasai.
Well then, everyone, Please stay well.
49
__ のこと
no koto
-
about __ (e.g., about me)
Example
私のことを、忘わすれないでください.
Watashi no koto o , wasurenai de kudasai.
Please don't forget about me.
50
たのしみですね
tanoshimi desu ne
楽しみですね
That sounds exciting.
Example
パーティー楽しみですね.
Pātī tanoshimi desu ne.
Party sounds exciting.
51
おめでとう
omedetō
-
Congratulations.
Example
たんじょうびおめでとう.
Tanjōbi omedetō.
Happy birthday.
52
おげんきで
ogenki de
お元気で
Take care.
Example
それでは みなさんも、元気でいてください.
Sorede wa minasan mo, genkide ite kudasai.
Well then, everyone, Please stay well.
53
かんぱい
kanpai
乾杯
Cheers.
Example
乾杯しましょう.
Kanpai shimashou.
Let's make a toast.
54
おせわになりました
osewa ni narimashita
お世話になりました
Thank you for everything you have done for me.
Example
いろいろお世話になりました.
Iroiro osewa ni narimashita.
Thank you for everything.
55
げんきでいてください
genki de ite kudasai
元気でいて下さい
Please take care of yourself.
Example
それでは みなさんも、元気でいてください.
Sorede wa minasan mo, genkide ite kudasai.
Well then, everyone, Please stay well.
56
がんばって下さい
ganbatte kudasai
頑張って下さい
Good luck.
Example
しけん、頑張って下さい.
Shiken, ganbatte kudasai.
Good luck on your exam.
57
きたいする
kitai suru
期待する
to expect / to hope for
Example
あなたのかつやくを期待します.
Anata no katsuyaku o kitai shimasu.
I look forward to your success.
Conversation
1
__ が生まれたそうですね
ga umareta sō desu ne
I heard that __ was born
Example Usage
お子さんが生まれたそうですね.
Okosan ga umareta sō desu ne.
I heard you had a baby.
2
ご結婚おめでとうございます
Gokekkon omedetō gozaimasu
Congratulations on your wedding
Example Usage
ありがとうございます
arigatou gozaimasu.mp3
Thank you.
3
__ の前に、 __ しませんか？
no mae ni, ___shimasen ka?
Shall we __ before __?
Example Usage
それで、帰る前に、みんなでアナさんの送別会をしませんか？
sorede, Kaeru mae ni, minna de Ana-san no sōbetsukai o shimasen ka?
So, before she leaves, shall we have a farewell party for Ana-san?
4
これ、 __ からのプレゼントです
Kore, ___kara no purezento desu
This is a present from __
Example Usage
これ、私たちからのプレゼントです.
Kore, minna kara no purezento desu.
This is a present from us.
5
すてきな __ ですね.うれしいです.大切にします.
Suteki na __ desu ne. Ureshii desu. Taisetsu ni shimasu.
What a lovely .__ I'm happy. I'll treasure it.
Example Usage
すてきなプレゼントですね.うれしいです.大切にします.
Suteki na purezento desu ne. Ureshii desu. Taisetsu ni shimasu.
What a lovely present. I'm so happy. I'll treasure it.
Kanji
1
合格する
to pass (an exam)
合🎬
fit, match
格🎬
status, standard
Example
JLPT、合格したそうですね.
JLPT, gōkaku shita sōdesu ne.
I heard you passed the JLPT..
2
女の子
girl
女🎬
female
子🎬
child
Example
女の子がいます.
Onnanoko ga imasu.
I have a daughter.
3
結婚
marriage
結🎬
tie, bind
婚🎬
marriage
Example
らいねん結婚します.
Rainen kekkon shimasu.
I will get married next year.
4
男の子
boy
男🎬
male
子🎬
child
Example
男の子がうまれました.
Otokonoko ga umaremashita.
A boy was born.
5
幸せ(な)
happiness, happy (na-adjective)
幸🎬
happiness
Example
とても幸せです.
Totemo shiawase desu.
I am very happy.
6
思う
to think
思🎬
think
Example
それがいいと思います.
Sore ga ii to omoimasu.
I think that's good.
7
誕生日
birthday
誕🎬
birth
生🎬
birth, life
日🎬
day
Example
たんじょうびはいつですか？
Tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka?
When is your birthday?
8
時計
clock, watch
時🎬
time
計🎬
measure
Example
そのとけいはたかいです.
Sono tokei wa takai desu.
That watch is expensive.
9
生まれる
to be born
生🎬
birth, life
Example
お子さんが生まれたそうですね.
Okosan ga umareta sō desu ne.
I heard your child was born.
10
お祝()い
celebration, congratulations
祝🎬
celebrate
Example
お祝い待ってますよ.
oiwai mattemasu yo.
I'm waiting for a celebration.
11
選ぶ
to choose
選🎬
choose, select
Example
私がケキを選んでいいですか？
Watashi ga keki oerande īdesu ka?
Can I choose the cake?
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Modifying nouns with plain-form verbs
Structure: V-dict + N / V-た + N
This expression explains by modifying the noun. It is used to describe a gift one is handing over, or one's belonging when asked about it. The plain-form of the modifying verb connects to the noun. The タ-form and dictionary-form are used here.
How to use: Use V-dict + N or V-た + N. Conjugation: もって来る→もって来たかざり, つくる→つくった料理, 買う→買ったバター, つかう→つかうちょうみりょう. The plain form can be dictionary or タ-form depending on tense. The question form is これは何ですか？. In casual speech, the same pattern is used.
💡 Pro Tip: The modifying clause comes directly before the noun. Do not use ます before the noun: say つくった料理, not つくりました料理. Register is neutral.
| Dictionary Form | Phrase |
|---|---|
| もって来る | もって来たかざり |
| つくる | つくった料理 |
| 買う | 買ったバター |
| つかう | つかうちょうみりょう |
Examples
わたしがつくった料理です.よかったら、どうぞ.
Watashi ga tsukutta ryōri desu. Yokattara, dōzo.
→ This is a dish I made. Please try some if you would like.
これ、ほっかいどうで買ったバターです.おいしいですよ.
Kore, Hokkaidō de katta batā desu. Oishii desu yo.
→ This is a butter I bought in Hokkaido. It is delicious.
Rule 2: Saying you received something from someone
Structure: [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + もらいます
もらいます (もらう) means one receives something from someone. It is used to talk about a present received for a birthday or such. The sender comes before に. The receiver comes before は, such as in わたしは父にもらいます when the receiver is oneself, although it is often omitted if one can be understood without saying it.
How to use: Use [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + もらいます. The receiver is often わたしは. から can replace に: 友だちからもらったんです. The question form is 何かもらいましたか？. The past is もらいました, and the negative is もらいません. In casual speech, use もらう.
💡 Pro Tip: Use もらう when the speaker is the receiver. Do not use あげる for receiving. に and から are interchangeable for the source. Register: もらいます is polite; もらう is casual.
Examples
父に時計をもらいました.
Chichi ni tokei o moraimashita.
→ My father gave me a watch.
このマグカップ、誕生日に、友だちにもらったんです.
Kono magukappu, tanjōbi ni, tomodachi ni moratta n desu.
→ This mug was given to me by a friend for my birthday.
Rule 3: Saying someone gave you something
Structure: [Person] + が + [Thing] + を + くれます
くれます (くれる) means someone gives you something. The sender comes before が, such as in 兄が and 父が. The receiver comes before に, although わたしに is often omitted because one can be understood without saying it.
How to use: Use [Person] + が + [Thing] + を + くれます. The giver is marked by が. The receiver is the speaker (わたし) and is often omitted. The question form is だれがくれましたか？. The past is くれました, and the negative is くれません. In casual speech, use くれる.
💡 Pro Tip: Use くれる when the receiver is the speaker or the speaker's in-group. Do not use あげる for this. が marks the giver. Register: くれます is polite; くれる is casual.
Examples
これは、兄がくれたおまもりです.
Kore wa, ani ga kureta omamori desu.
→ This is a personal amulet my older brother gave me.
父が誕生日にくれました.
Chichi ga tanjōbi ni kuremashita.
→ My father gave it to me for my birthday.
Rule 4: Giving something to someone
Structure: [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + あげます
あげます (あげる) means to give something to someone. The giver is the subject, marked by は or が. The receiver is marked by に. The thing is marked by を. It is used when the receiver is not the speaker or the speaker's in-group.
How to use: Use [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + あげます. The giver is often わたしは. The question form is だれにあげましたか？. The past is あげました, and the negative is あげません. In casual speech, use あげる. For superiors, use さしあげます.
💡 Pro Tip: Do not use あげる when the receiver is the speaker or the speaker's in-group; use くれる or もらう. あげる can sound like you are doing a favor, so be careful with superiors. Register: あげます is polite; あげる is casual.
Examples
わたしは友だちにプレゼントをあげました.
Watashi wa tomodachi ni purezento o agemashita.
→ I gave a present to my friend.
妹に本をあげます.
Imōto ni hon o agemasu.
→ I will give a book to my younger sister.
Exercises
Question 1: 'I heard you had a baby.'
お子さんが ______ そうですね.
Question 2: 'I hear it's going to rain tomorrow.'
明日は雨______.
Question 3: 'Shall we give Ana-san a present?'
アナさんに何かプレゼントを______ませんか？
Question 4: 'I gave a book to my little sister.'
いもうとに本を______.
Question 5: What does 'アナさんは焼き鳥が大好きだと言っていました' mean?
Question 6: 'Tanaka-san said he would take the day off today.'
たなかさんは今日は休む______.
Question 7: 'I think the food at this restaurant is very delicious.'
このレストランの料理はとても美味しい______.
Question 8: How do you say 'I don't think it's good'?
Question 9: Which is correct for 'My mother bought me a cake'?
Question 10: Choose the correct verb to say 'Miguel gave Huyen a present.' (from Miguel's perspective)
ミゲルさんはフエンさんにプレゼントを______.