Learn basic Japanese vocabulary related to life events
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| 結婚式 (kekkonshiki) |
| 誕生日 (tanjōbi) |
| 記念日 (kinenbi) |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn Japanese vocabulary for life events. |
| Before we start, did you know turning 60 is a significant milestone in Japan, marking a special anniversary? Do you know why? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| 記念日 (kinenbi) |
| "anniversary" |
| [SLOW] 記念日 (kinenbi) |
| 記念日 (kinenbi) |
| 結婚記念日 → Wedding anniversary |
| 付き合った記念日 → Dating anniversary |
| 就職記念日 → Work anniversary |
| You can even create your own special 記念日 too! |
| Eri reminds Yuya of their friends' anniversary. |
| Eri: お祝いを言うのを忘れないでくださいね。今日は彼らの記念日です。 (O-iwai o iu no o wasurenaide kudasai ne. Kyō wa kare-ra no kinenbi desu.) |
| Yuya: ああ、忘れるところでした。教えてくれてありがとうございます！ (Ā, wasureru tokoro deshita. Oshiete kurete arigatō gozaimasu!) |
| 結婚式 (kekkonshiki) |
| "wedding" |
| [SLOW] 結婚式 (kekkonshiki) |
| 結婚式 (kekkonshiki) |
| Humming the bridal march tune which is in public domain (bring a bouquet this day and it would be even better) Have you heard of ご祝儀 (goshūgi)? |
| That’s the money people give at Japanese weddings. But it’s not just any cash—you put it in a fancy envelope called a 祝儀袋 (shūgibukuro). |
| How much you give depends on who you are—friends give a little, family gives more. And it’s not just about the money, it’s a way of saying ‘congratulations!’ and wishing the couple well. |
| Emily shares wedding photos with Lina. |
| Emily: この結婚式の写真を見てください。彼らは大きな結婚式を挙げました。 (Kono kekkonshiki no shashin o mite kudasai. Kare-ra wa ōkina kekkonshiki o agemashita.) |
| Lina: きれいでとても立派ですね。 (Kirei de totemo rippa desu ne.) |
| 誕生 (tanjō) |
| "birth" |
| [SLOW] 誕生 (tanjō) |
| 誕生 (tanjō) |
| 誕生 means “birth,” and 日 means “day,” |
| so 誕生日 literally means “the day of birth” — basically, “birthday.” |
| Aya talks to Kaname about her friend. |
| Aya: 友達に妹が生まれました。誕生の瞬間はとてもワクワクしました。 (Tomodachi ni imōto ga umaremashita. Tanjō no shunkan wa totemo wakuwaku shimashita.) |
| Kaname: それは特別だったでしょうね。 (Sore wa tokubetsu datta deshō ne.) |
| 誕生日 (tanjōbi) |
| "birthday" |
| [SLOW] 誕生日 (tanjōbi) |
| 誕生日 (tanjōbi) |
| Happy birthday song (became free use worldwide in 2016) |
| Jack tells Tom about his birthday. |
| Jack: 知っていますか。今日は私の誕生日です。 (Shitte imasu ka. Kyō wa watashi no tanjōbi desu.) |
| Tom: おめでとうございます！お祝いしましょう！ (Omedetō gozaimasu! O-iwai shimashō!) |
| 退職する (taishoku suru) |
| "retire" |
| [SLOW] 退職する (taishoku suru) |
| 退職する (taishoku suru) |
| In Japan, the typical retirement age is between 60 and 65. |
| Yoko shares news about a colleague to Ken. |
| Yoko: ジョンのこと、聞きましたか。もうすぐ退職するそうですよ。 (Jon no koto, kikimashita ka. Mōsugu taishoku suru sō desu yo.) |
| Ken: 本当ですか。生活が大きく変わるでしょうね。 (Hontō desu ka. Seikatsu ga ōkiku kawaru deshō ne.) |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Japanese. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "anniversary"? |
| 記念日 (kinenbi) |
| 記念日 (kinenbi) |
| And how to say "wedding"? |
| 結婚式 (kekkonshiki) |
| 結婚式 (kekkonshiki) |
| How about "birth"? |
| 誕生 (tanjō) |
| 誕生 (tanjō) |
| Do you remember how to say "birthday"? |
| 誕生日 (tanjōbi) |
| 誕生日 (tanjōbi) |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "retire"? |
| 退職する (taishoku suru) |
| 退職する (taishoku suru) |
| Did you know turning 60 is a significant milestone in Japan, marking a special anniversary? Do you know why? |
| In Japan, turning 60 means you've completed one full cycle of the zodiac calendar. People celebrate 還暦 (kanreki) by wearing red clothes for good luck and starting fresh, like being born again. It's a joyful time with family! |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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