祝福

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 祝福 is read as しゅくふく and functions as a noun or with する for congratulating a happy event or blessing a new beginning.
• Basic usage: Mark the occasion or beginning with を, as in 結婚を祝福する and 門出を祝福する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Congratulating and blessing
  • A friend's marriage is naturally translated with congratulate, while a goddess's blessing of a departure or new beginning is naturally rendered with bless.
• Person and occasion
  • The direct object can be the event affecting the person, as in 友人の結婚を, rather than the person alone.