If you have ever needed to fill out a form in Japanese, you have probably come across a field with the expression 生年月日 (seinengappi). At first, this sequence of kanjis may be intimidating, but it appears in practically any official document or registration — and understanding its meaning along with other dates in forms such as 年齢 (nenrei), 日付 (hizuke), and 有効期限 (yuukoukigen) is essential for your survival in Japan.
The Japanese love formal and traditional structures, and this is reflected even in the ways dates are written and requested. Besides 生年月日, there are other words related to time and dates that frequently appear in documents. In this article, we will explore the main related to dates on Japanese forms, explaining each one clearly, along with romaji and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
Whether it's a medical appointment, school enrollment, or bank , mastering this vocabulary will save you time, prevent misunderstandings, and even ensure that your form is not rejected.
Table of Contents
The term 生年月日 (seinengappi) means "date of birth."
The word 生年月日 can be divided into four parts:
- life: birth
- year: year
- month: month
- day: day
That is, it literally means year, month and day of birth — the direct equivalent to "date of birth."
In Japanese forms, this date should be filled in the local format:
AAAA年 MM月 DD日
1995年4月12日 (1995/04/12)
But be aware: in more formal forms, it may be necessary to use the Japanese era system (wareki), such as:
平成7年4月12日 (Heisei 7, 1995)
令和5年5月6日 (Reiwa 5, 2023)
If the form asks for 西暦 (seireki), use the Western calendar. If it indicates 和暦 (wareki), use the Japanese era. Knowing this difference avoids confusion and delays in data processing.
Words related to common dates in forms
In addition to 生年月日, several other date-based appear frequently. Let's understand the main ones:
Age
年齢 means "age". Some forms ask for the age in numbers, while others calculate it automatically from 生年月日 (seinengappi). It's worth noting that in Japan, the official age considers the current year, not the exact month of the birthday.
Example:
If you were born in 1990, even without having had a birthday, your nenrei in 2025 will be 35.
Date – Current date
Date appears as a field to fill in the filling date of the form.
Expected format:
May 6, 2025 or in a shorter style: 2025/05/06.
Some documents also request the time, using the word 時刻 (jikoku).
Expiration date
Present in documents such as ports, visas, or residence cards. It literally means validity period.
Example of filling out:
Expiration date: March 31, 2026
Issue date
You will see this word on identity cards or official documents. It indicates the date the document was issued.
It's common to see the pair:
- Issue date – issue date
- Expiration date – validity
Registration date
Whether for a bank , health plan, or points system, this field records the date the registration was made.
Sometimes it appears as 記入日 (kiniu-bi), which means the date of completion.
How not to make mistakes when dealing with dates in Japanese.
Correctly filling out date fields requires attention and a bit of practice. Here are some simple tips to avoid common mistakes:
- Confirm the required schedule: If it is 和暦 (wareki), use Japanese eras. If it is 西暦 (seireki), use the Western calendar.
- Use full numbers: Avoid using 2 digits for the year (e.g., “23” for 2023), unless the form allows it.
- Respect the format: Pay attention if the field requires 年 (nen), 月 (gatsu), 日 (hi). Do not mix slashes (/) with the kanjis.
- Avoid kanji if you're not sure. In handwritten forms, writing numbers with Arabic numerals (e.g., 2025) is perfectly acceptable.
Complementary that may appear
Depending on the form, you may encounter more specific expressions related to time or chronology:
- Graduation Date
- ing Date (nyuushabi) – date of ission to a company
- Start date (course, contract, etc.)
- End Date (shuuryoubi) – closing date
These words are common in Japanese resumes (rirekisho) or work and study contracts.
Conclusion
The word 生年月日 (seinengappi) is just the tip of the iceberg when we talk about dates in Japanese. Learning to recognize and correctly fill out fields such as 年齢 (nenrei), 日付 (hizuke), and 有効期限 (yuukoukigen) can prevent many mistakes and make your life easier in Japan.
Filling out a form is not just about writing — it shows that you understand the cultural and linguistic structure of the country. Over time, like hakkoubi, touroku-bi, and seinengappi become as familiar as "date of birth."
So, how about practicing right now? Grab any form (real or fictitious) and practice writing your 生年月日. This not only helps you memorize but also prepares you for real situations.
