おめでとう

• Reading: おめでとう
• Romaji: omedetou
• Pronunciation: /o.me.de.to.ɯ/

Meaning

Congratulations! An expression used to celebrate happy occasions and achievements.

An interjection derived from the adjective めでたい (auspicious, happy). The polite form is おめでとうございます. Used for birthdays (お誕生日おめでとう), New Year (あけましておめでとう), graduations, weddings, and any occasion worth celebrating. One of the most frequently used expressions in Japanese social life.

Examples

1. 合格おめでとう、本当によく頑張ったね。 Congratulations on passing! You really worked hard.
2. あけましておめでとうございます。 Happy New Year!
3. 結婚おめでとう、お幸せに。 Congratulations on your wedding — wishing you all the happiness!

Usage Guide

Context: celebrations, New Year, achievements

Tone: joyful

Origin & History

Derived from めでたい (medetai), meaning auspicious or felicitous. めでたい itself comes from the verb 愛でる (mederu, to admire/love) combined with the suffix たい. The お prefix adds politeness.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal