How would you say Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese?
To literally say “Happy Mother’s Day” in Japanese, you can say:
- 母の日おめでとう
However, it’s not THE best phrase. So, keep reading and you will discover more natural ways to say Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese. Take a look below and learn some Japanese, okay? Let’s go…!
(Oh, and be sure to get the FREE Japanese Alphabet workbook.)
#1. 母の日おめでとう
- Haha no hi omedetou
- Happy Mother’s day
Since you likely want to know the most direct way to say Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese… this is it.
HOWEVER, this phrase is NOT what Japanese would normally say to their mothers.
It is usually a phrase you can find on postcards for Mother’s Day, on promotional signs within a supermarket, and so on. Technically, it would not be wrong to say this, but it would be good to remember that usually, you would not say it to someone!
#2. お母さんへ・大好きなお母さんへ
- Okāsan e ・Daisukina okāsan e
- To my mother / To the mother I love so much
This phrase is usually used at the beginning of a message to your mother. They essentially mean the same thing, but the latter is probably more emotional and thus you can choose this phrase if you want to express that extra love for your mother.
#3. いつもありがとう(ございます）
- Itsumo arigatou ( gozaimasu )
- Thank you always
This is a phrase to express your gratitude in general, but of course can be used on Mother’s Day and other special ocassions. By saying “Itsumo”, you are emphasizing your gratitude for how your mother is always caring for you.
#4. 普段は恥ずかしくて言えないけれど、、、
- Fudan wa hazukashikute ienai keredo
- I usually cannot express myself this way because of my shyness…
Japanese have a tendency to make these preamble remarks, as showing your emotions (even to your mother!) was not something very common in the culture. That is why one would usually preface themselves with a phrase like this before expressing any strong emotion to others.
#5. 本当に感謝しています
- Hontouni kansha shiteimasu
- I am really grateful
Similar to phrase #2, you can also use this phrase to express your general gratitude. The addition of the word “Hontouni”, which means ‘really’, is an emphasis on the following “kansha shiteimasu”. For expressing specific gratitude, refer to phrases #6, #7, #8, and #9.
#6. 家族を支えてくれてありがとう
- Kazoku wo sasaete kurete arigatou
- Thank you for supporting our family
This is probably the best message you could send to a stay-at-home mom / housewife who supports her family members through all her work in the house. From keeping everyone healthy through her cooking to taking care of all the house chores. This is the perfect phrase for a mother who spends so much time taking care of everyone in the house.
#7. 私を産んでくれてありがとう
- Watashi wo unde kurete arigatou
- Thank you for giving birth to me
Literally to thank your mother for bringing you to this world!
#8. 今まで育ててくれてありがとう
- Imamade sodatete kurete arigatou
- Thank you for bringing me up / raising me.
“Imamade” means “ Up to now” . So this phrase can be used when you will potentially be moving away, or be further away from family.
#9. いつも美味しいご飯を作ってくれてありがとう
- Itsumo oishii gohan wo tsukutte kurete arigatou
- Thank you for always making delicious meals
It may sound a little bit like a childish expression, but it can be special to a mother to have her cooking be acknowledged and appreciated. It is a privilege to enjoy your mother’s cooking, and so don’t be afraid to express this gratitude!=
#10. いつまでも元気でいてください
- Itsumademo genki de ite kudasai
- Please stay healthy forever
It is a common phrase that can be used when you are wishing someone’s good health. It is a nice phrase to express your feelings as you are implementing that you are wishing to spend more time with someone who is elder than you.
#11. 母の日のプレゼント・花です
- Haha no hi no purezento / hana desu
- This is the Mother’s day’s present / flower for you.
If you are gifting your mother with a present or some flowers, this is the phrase to add to an attached card!
#12. また一緒に食事・温泉・旅行にいきましょう
- Mata isshoni shokuji / onsen / ryokou ni ikimasho
- Let’s go for meals / to the hot spring / on a trip together again
It is nice to express your intention of going somewhere like a restaurant / hot spring / a trip or anything that your mother enjoys. Inviting her for another opportunity to spend time together would make your mother extra happy! It’s always nice to hear that someone wants to spend more time with you!
#13. 今年も母の日にお母さんに感謝できることを幸せに思っています
- Kotoshi mo haha no hi ni okāsan ni kansha dekiru koto wo shiawase ni omotteimasu
- I feel happy that I can be grateful to you again this year
The end of the phrase which is “~wo shiawase ni omotteimasu” means that you are feeling happy for whatever it is that you have mentioned in your sentence. It would be a very nice message for your mother, as you are not only showing gratitude for her, but also showing gratitude that you can be grateful for her again for another year!
#14. なかなか会えないけれど、いつもお母さんのことを思っています
- Nakanaka aenai keredo, itsumo okāsan no koto wo omotteimasu
- I seldom have a chance to see you in person, but I am always thinking about you
If you are away from your mother and do not have a chance to meet her so often, you can use this phrase to express that you always have her in your heart. You can also choose to just say the second part of the phrase, “itsumo okaasan no koto wo omotteimasu”, to say “I am always thinking about you, Mom!”
#15. これからも見守ってください
- Korekara mo mimamotte kudasai
- Please watch over me from now onwards as well
This is a phrase to thank your mother for her guidance and care up until this point, while also asking for her to continue doing so. It is a compliment to your mother, as you are expressing how grateful you are for how she has cared for you, and that you would like to continue being guided and cared for by her!
Conclusion
Now you know how to say Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese.
And based on the phrases above, you realize that Japanese don’t literally say “Happy Mother’s Day” but some sort of thank you or wish for their mothers.
So, you should be fine with a message like…
- いつもありがとう(ございます）
Now, I must stop writing because these phrases are making me tear up and I am writing this in public.
Anyway, which was your favorite phrase?
Leave a comment! I read them all.
– The Main Junkie
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