How do 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
But, it’s not THE best phrase. So, keep reading and you will discover natural ways to say Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese. Take a look below.
1. Mother’s Day in Japanese
First, here’s how you say mother’s day —
- 母の日
- haha no hi
Haha is one of the ways to say Mother in Japanese and Hi (pronounced “hee”) means day.
Now, to say happy mother’s day… you’ll just add 2 more words.
See below.
2. Haha no hi omedetou
This phrase is NOT what Japanese would normally say to their mothers.
- Haha no hi omedetou
- 母の日おめでとう
- Happy Mother’s day
I am only including this since many people want to want to know the most direct way to say Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese.
You’ll see it on postcards for Mother’s Day, on promotional signs within a supermarket, and so on.
So, use other phrases here to sound more natural.
2. Okāsan e ・Daisukina okāsan e
- Okāsan e ・Daisukina okāsan e
- お母さんへ・大好きなお母さんへ
- 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 more emotional.
You can choose this phrase if you want to express that extra love for your mother.
3. Itsumo arigatou (gozaimasu)
- Itsumo arigatou (gozaimasu)
- いつもありがとう(ございます）
- 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 occasions.
By saying “Itsumo,” you are emphasizing how your mother is always caring for you.
4. Okaasan, itsumo arigatou.
Here, we’re just adding “Okaasan” which means mother…
…along with the thank you.
- Okaasan, itsumo arigatou.
- お母さん、いつもありがとう。
- Mother, thank you for everything
This is a very common phrase to use.
5. Fudan wa hazukashikute ienai keredo
- Fudan wa hazukashikute ienai keredo
- 普段は恥ずかしくて言えないけれど、、、
- I usually cannot express myself this way because of my shyness…
Japanese have a tendency to make these preamble remarks.
Showing your emotions (even to your mother!) was not something very common in the culture.
That is why one would usually use a phrase like this before expressing strong emotions.
6. Hontouni kansha shiteimasu
- Hontouni kansha shiteimasu
- 本当に感謝しています
- I am really grateful
Similar to phrases #3 and #4, 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”.
7. Kazoku wo sasaete kurete arigatou
- Kazoku wo sasaete kurete arigatou
- 家族を支えてくれてありがとう
- Thank you for supporting our family
This is probably the best message you could send to a stay-at-home mom… who supports her family members through all her work in the house.
8. Watashi wo unde kurete arigatou
- Watashi wo unde kurete arigatou
- 私を産んでくれてありがとう
- Thank you for giving birth to me
Literally to thank your mother for bringing you to this world!
As you can see, there’s a lot of Japanese gratitude phrases going here… instead of saying “Happy Mother’s Day.”
9. Imamade sodatete kurete arigatou
- Imamade sodatete kurete arigatou
- 今まで育ててくれてありがとう
- 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.
10. Itsumo oishii gohan wo tsukutte kurete arigatou
- Itsumo oishii gohan wo tsukutte kurete arigatou
- いつも美味しいご飯を作ってくれてありがとう
- 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!
11. Itsumademo genki de ite kudasai
- Itsumademo genki de ite kudasai
- いつまでも元気でいてください
- 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.
12. Haha no hi no purezento / hana desu
- Haha no hi no purezento / hana desu
- 母の日のプレゼント・花です
- This is a 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. Mata isshoni shokuji / onsen / ryokou ni ikimashou
- Mata isshoni shokuji / onsen / ryokou ni ikimashou
- また一緒に食事・温泉・旅行にいきましょう
- 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!
13. Kotoshi mo haha no hi ni okāsan ni kansha dekiru koto wo shiawase ni omotteimasu
- Kotoshi mo haha no hi ni okāsan ni kansha dekiru koto wo shiawase ni omotteimasu
- 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
- 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.
14. Nakanaka aenai keredo, itsumo okāsan no koto wo omotteimasu
- Nakanaka aenai keredo, itsumo okāsan no koto wo omotteimasu
- 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
- 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. Korekara mo mimamotte kudasai
- Korekara mo mimamotte kudasai
- これからも見守ってください
- 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!
Note — give the “watch over me” — this can have a nuance that they may have passed away.
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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