• 祝いわう — to celebrate
• 祝日しゅくじつ — national holiday
• 祝儀しゅうぎ — wedding gift, monetary celebration
• 祝福しゅくふく — blessing
• 祝賀会しゅくがかい — celebration party

The left radical 礻 (しめすへん) represents a religious altar or spirit, and the right part is related to speech or declaration. Together, they suggest giving thanks or prayers to a higher power — often a deity — and evolved into general expressions of celebration.

友ともだちの結婚けっこんを祝いわいました。
I celebrated my friend’s wedding.

来週らいしゅうは 祝日しゅくじつです。
Next week is a national holiday.

🎧 Listen to the Japanese and English readings of this kanji.