Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aniversário | /a.ni.veʁˈsa.ɾju/ (Brazil) /a.ni.veɾˈsa.ɾju/ (São Paulo) |
masculine |
| dia de anos |
The word aniversário is the most basic and widely used term for a birthday. It is also used to refer to any anniversary. To specify that you are talking about a wedding anniversary rather than a birthday, you use the phrase aniversário de casamento.
What does it mean word for word?
The word aniversário literally means 'anniversary'.
Which one should you use?
The form aniversário is the standard term for a birthday or anniversary. The form dia de anos is also a way to express the concept of a birthday.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you may hear the term Felicidades! used to wish someone a happy birthday. In Portugal, the phrase Muitos Parabéns! is used to mean 'Many congratulations!' and the expression Que contes muitos! is used to mean 'May you have many more!'
How does it change in a sentence?
The word aniversário is a masculine noun. Its plural form is aniversários.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of aniversário is /a.ni.veʁˈsa.ɾju/. It has five syllables, and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
When do people say it?
When celebrating a birthday, you can say Feliz Aniversário! to mean 'Happy Birthday!' Another common way to wish someone a happy birthday is to say Parabéns, which literally means 'congratulations'. You can also say Parabéns pelo aniversário! to celebrate a person's special day or Desejo-lhe um ótimo aniversário! to say 'Wishing you a great birthday!' An affectionate and informal way to wish someone a happy birthday is Tudo de Bom no Seu Dia!, meaning 'All the best on your day!'
Did you know?
- The word dia in dia de anos shares a distant linguistic root with the names 'Zeus' and 'Jove'.
- A traditional Portuguese birthday wish, Que contes muitos!, literally means 'May you count many!', implying a wish for many more years of life.
- Portuguese speakers often use parabéns as a general greeting for any achievement, not just for an aniversário.
Examples in context
- Hoje é meu aniversário.Today is my birthday.This example shows how to use aniversário to state that today is your birthday.Tatoeba #985110 by alexmarcelo, translation #985108 by riccioberto
- Hoje é seu aniversário?Is today your birthday?This example uses aniversário to ask if today is someone else's birthday.Tatoeba #5534088 by bill, translation #3636509 by CK
- Amanhã é meu aniversário.Tomorrow is my birthday.This example uses aniversário to state that tomorrow is your birthday.Tatoeba #1074992 by alexmarcelo, translation #71844 by CK
- 383 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are talking about an upcoming party.
- LucasQuando é o seu aniversário, Mariana?When is your birthday, Mariana?
- MarianaO meu aniversário é em outubro.My birthday is in October.
- LucasVocê vai fazer uma festa?Are you going to have a party?
- MarianaSim, vou comemorar com minha família.Yes, I will celebrate with my family.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “birthday” translations and entries aniversário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aniversário, de, dia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
