Translation guide
Hinamatsuri is the Japanese Doll Festival or Girls' Day, celebrated on March 3rd. Families with daughters display ornamental dolls representing the imperial court to pray for the girls' health and happiness.
Referring to the holiday or event
The standard Japanese term for the Doll Festival. Often written in hiragana or kanji (雛祭り).
3月3日はひな祭りです。
March 3rd is Hinamatsuri.
ひな祭りにはちらし寿司を食べます。
We eat chirashizushi on Hinamatsuri.
Kanji form of Hinamatsuri, often used in formal or written contexts.
雛祭りの起源は平安時代にさかのぼります。
The origin of Hinamatsuri dates back to the Heian period.
Literally 'Peach Festival', one of the five seasonal festivals. Refers specifically to the March 3rd celebration.
桃の節句にはひな人形を飾ります。
We display hina dolls for the Peach Festival.
Referring to the ornamental dolls
The dolls displayed for Hinamatsuri. Often a set including the emperor and empress.
祖母からひな人形をもらいました。
I received hina dolls from my grandmother.
ひな人形をしまうのが遅れると婚期が遅れると言われています。
It is said that if you put away the hina dolls late, marriage will be delayed.
A polite, affectionate term for the dolls, especially the main emperor and empress dolls.
おひな様を飾るのは楽しいです。
Displaying the hina dolls is fun.
Referring to the tiered stand for the dolls
The tiered platform covered with a red cloth where the dolls are arranged.
ひな壇に人形を並べます。
We arrange the dolls on the tiered stand.
Hinamatsuri is not a national holiday but is widely celebrated in homes with daughters. Traditional foods include chirashizushi, hina-arare (rice crackers), and shirozake (sweet white sake).
Hinamatsuri is specifically on March 3rd. It is different from Children's Day (こどもの日) on May 5th, which is mainly for boys.