Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'anniversary' is most commonly 記念日 (きねんび), but the way you express it depends on what kind of anniversary it is. For specific anniversaries like wedding anniversaries, there are set terms. For general anniversaries, you often use the pattern [event]の記念日 or [number]周年.
To refer to the yearly recurrence of a past event, such as a company founding, a historical event, or a personal milestone.
The most common and general word for 'anniversary'. It literally means 'commemoration day'. It can be used for personal anniversaries (like a couple's first date) or institutional ones.
今日は私たちの結婚記念日です。
Today is our wedding anniversary.
会社の創立記念日は来月です。
The company's founding anniversary is next month.
Attach の記念日 to the event name to specify what anniversary it is. This is the most flexible pattern.
初めて会った記念日をお祝いした。
We celebrated the anniversary of when we first met.
Used specifically for anniversaries counted in years, often for institutions or events. It follows a number, e.g., 10周年 (10th anniversary).
来年で創業50周年を迎えます。
We will celebrate our 50th anniversary next year.
To refer specifically to a wedding anniversary.
The standard term for 'wedding anniversary'. It is a compound of 結婚 (marriage) + 記念日 (anniversary).
結婚記念日にはディナーに行きます。
We go out for dinner on our wedding anniversary.
Use this pattern to specify which wedding anniversary (e.g., 10th).
今年は10回目の結婚記念日です。
This year is our 10th wedding anniversary.
To refer to the anniversary of someone's death, often observed in Buddhist tradition.
The standard term for the anniversary of a death. It is used in both formal and personal contexts.
祖父の命日にお墓参りに行った。
I visited the grave on the anniversary of my grandfather's death.
To talk about celebrating an anniversary or the event itself.
A loanword from English, often used in marketing, event names, or casual contexts. It sounds trendy.
アニバーサリーイベントに参加した。
I attended an anniversary event.
The verb phrase for 'celebrate an anniversary'. 祝う means to celebrate.
毎年、記念日を祝っています。
We celebrate our anniversary every year.
記念日 is a general term for any anniversary day, while 周年 is specifically for anniversaries counted in years (e.g., 10周年). You can say 結婚記念日 but not 結婚周年. For company anniversaries, both 創立記念日 and 創立10周年 are possible, but 周年 emphasizes the number of years.
今日は創立記念日です。
Today is the founding anniversary.
今年は創立100周年です。
This year is the 100th anniversary of the founding.
アニバーサリー is a casual loanword and can sound inappropriate for solemn anniversaries like death anniversaries or formal company events. Stick to 記念日 or 命日 in those cases.
私たちは結婚25周年を祝っています。
We're celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary.
Note the use of 周年 with the number of years.
A more formal Buddhist term for the monthly or annual death anniversary. Often used in memorial services.
祥月命日には法要を営みます。
We hold a memorial service on the anniversary of the death.