Whether you are planning to celebrate a birthday or simply want to know how to talk about it in German, it’s always helpful to learn the precise phrases and expressions for discussing birthdays. In this guide, you will discover both formal and informal ways to express “birthday date” in German, along with useful tips and examples to help you grasp the nuances of the language.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Birthday Date in German
1. Geburtstagstermin
“Der Geburtstagstermin meiner Schwester ist am 10. März.” (Translation: “My sister’s birthday date is on the 10th of March.”)
2. Geburtstagsdatum
“Gibt es Änderungen am Geburtstagsdatum des Events?” (Translation: “Are there any changes to the birthday date of the event?”)
Informal Ways to Say Birthday Date in German
1. Geburtstag
“Wann hast du Geburtstag?” (Translation: “When is your birthday?”)
2. Geburtstagsdatum
“Das Geburtstagsdatum meiner besten Freundin ist der 5. Dezember.” (Translation: “My best friend’s birthday date is the 5th of December.”)
Tips and Examples
1. When discussing birthdays, it’s common to use the word “Geburtstag” alone, especially in casual conversations. For instance:
“Ich feiere meinen Geburtstag am Samstag.” (Translation: “I am celebrating my birthday on Saturday.”)
You can omit the word “date” in informal contexts, as the meaning is understood.
2. If you want to ask someone their birthdate politely, you can use the phrase “Wann haben Sie Geburtstag?”
“Entschuldigung, dürfte ich fragen, wann Sie Geburtstag haben?” (Translation: “Excuse me, may I ask when your birthday is?”)
Using the formal “Sie” instead of the informal “du” demonstrates respect and politeness, which can be important when talking to someone you don’t know well or someone older than you.
3. Remember to utilize proper numbers when referring to dates. Here are the numbers from one to ten in German:
- eins (one)
- zwei (two)
- drei (three)
- vier (four)
- fünf (five)
- sechs (six)
- sieben (seven)
- acht (eight)
- neun (nine)
- zehn (ten)
For example:
“Unser Hochzeitstag ist am vierzehnten [14.] Juni.” (Translation: “Our wedding anniversary is on the fourteenth of June.”)
4. In German, the months are not capitalized like in English. So when you mention the month of a birthday, remember to use lowercase:
“Mein Geburtstag ist im november [November].” (Translation: “My birthday is in November.”)
5. Regional Variations: German is spoken in several countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. While the words and expressions discussed above are commonly used across these regions, slight variations may exist. For example, in Austria, some individuals may use the word “Geburtstagsfeier” (birthday celebration) instead of “Geburtstag.” Nevertheless, this guide focuses on general German usage and should be applicable to most German-speaking communities.
Remember, the key to mastering any language is practice. Don’t hesitate to engage in conversations, listen to native speakers, and explore various resources to enhance your understanding of German birthday phrases and beyond. Viel Glück! (Good luck!)
