Japanese word

めでたい

Pronunciation

Romajimedetai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivehappy

Example

今日はめでたい日です。kyō wa me de ta i hi de su

Today is a happy day.

Illustration for めでたい (happy)

More examples

姉の結婚は本当にめでたいことです。ane no kek kon wa hon tō ni me de ta i ko to de su

My older sister's marriage is truly a happy occasion.

Core concept

Refers to something joyful that also carries a sense of being favorable or worthy of celebration.

Common phrases

  • めでたい話me de ta i hanashi

    happy news

  • めでたい席me de ta i seki

    auspicious gathering

  • めでたい日me de ta i hi

    happy day

Similar words

うれしいureshii: Describes a person's feeling of happiness about something good.
おめでたいomedetai: Describes an occasion as auspicious and worthy of celebration.

Definition in Japanese

喜ばしく、縁起がよく、祝い事に適しているさま。yoroko ba shi ku en gi ga yo ku iwa i goto ni teki shi te i ru sa ma

Word origin

めでたい (medetai, "happy or auspicious") is a native Japanese adjective from classical めでたし (medetashi), a form linked to めでる (mederu, "to praise or admire").

Usage tips

  • The expression おめでとう (omedetō) is the standard congratulatory phrase related to めでたい (medetai), while the adjective describes the occasion or condition itself.

Other meanings

  • auspiciousi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • めでたさmedetasahappinessnoun

Word lists with this word