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おめでとう Japanese meaning | Kotomora

おめでとう

お

め

で

と

う

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

interjection

congratulations; well done; best wishes

usually written using kana alone

Common congratulatory interjection used on celebratory occasions such as birthdays, graduations, or achievements.

誕たん生じょう日びおめでとう！
Happy birthday!
合ごう格かくおめでとうございます

。

Congratulations on passing the exam.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

ateji (phonetic kanji usage)rarely-used kanji form

御お目め出で度とう
Ateji spelling; rarely used.
御お芽め出で度とう
Ateji spelling; rarely used.

Kanji

御honorable, manipulate, govern
目eye, class, look
出exit, leave, go out
度degrees, occurrence, time
芽bud, sprout, spear

Similar words

おめでとうございます
Polite form of おめでとう; used in formal situations or when showing respect.

Etymology

Derived from the adjective めでたい (auspicious, happy) with the honorific prefix お and a euphonic change. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.