Dictionary / Japanese / Congratulations
How to Say "Congratulations" in Japanese
おめでとうございます
omedetō gozaimasu
Literally: (It is) a happy thing
おめでとう
congratulations, how happy
ございます
(polite)
Polite or casual
Politeおめでとうございます
Casualおめでとう (omedetō)
おめでとう is casual, for friends, family and people younger than you. おめでとうございます is polite, for teachers, managers, customers and anyone you speak to with です and ます. Put the occasion first: お誕生日おめでとうございます (otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu), happy birthday. The New Year greeting uses it too: あけましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu).
Correct
おめでとうございます
What people say wrong
おめでとう
Congrats. Warm with friends, too casual for a teacher or a boss.
The mistake to avoid. Learners often learn おめでとう first and use it with everyone. To a teacher or a manager, it sounds too familiar. Add ございます. Some learners also try おめでとうです. You may hear it in casual speech, but おめでとうございます is the standard polite form.
In context
お誕生日おめでとうございます。
Otanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu.
Happy birthday.
ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Gokekkon omedetō gozaimasu.
Congratulations on your wedding.
合格おめでとう。
Gōkaku omedetō.
Congratulations on passing. (casual)