sinh nhật
[sïŋ˧˧ ɲət̚˧˨ʔ]
The Vietnamese word for birthday is sinh nhật.
The term sinh nhật is used to denote a birthday or an anniversary. You can use several phrases to express birthday wishes: Chúc mừng sinh nhật is the most common and straightforward way to say 'happy birthday'. For a more personal touch when addressing close friends or family, you can use Chúc bạn sinh nhật vui vẻ (Wishing you a happy birthday). In informal settings, you might say Sinh nhật vui vẻ (Have a happy birthday) or use the casual Chúc mừng ngày sinh nhật (Happy birthday) when posting on social media.
Meaning: anniversary (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
While sinh nhật is often used on its own, you can add the word ngày (day) before it to create ngày sinh nhật. This makes the phrase more specific or formal when you are referring to the actual date of birth.
Did you know?
- During a first birthday party, a tray of various objects like a book, a pen and a calculator is placed before the child. The object the child first picks is thought to predict their future career.
- Older generations in Vietnam traditionally did not celebrate individual birthdays. They often celebrated the Lunar New Year as a collective birthday for everyone in the family.
- When wishing a senior a happy birthday, Vietnamese speakers often avoid sinh nhật and instead use words like thọ which refers to 'longevity'.
Examples in context
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật, Tom.Happy birthday, Tom.This example shows how to use sinh nhật.Tatoeba #13340724 by leucammieuvu, translation #6662978 by CK
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật, Muiriel!Happy birthday, Muiriel!Tatoeba #5666 by trieuho, translation #355041 by human600
- Khi nào là sinh nhật của bạn?When is your birthday?Tatoeba #11356303 by chaule3, translation #16997 by CK
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật!Happy birthday!
- Chúc bạn sinh nhật vui vẻ!Wishing you a happy birthday!
- Sinh nhật vui vẻ!Have a happy birthday!
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Tuấn are talking about a gift for a friend.
- LanHôm nay là sinh nhật của anh ấy.Today is his birthday.
- TuấnVậy chúng ta nên mua quà gì?So what gift should we buy?
- LanTôi nghĩ là một chiếc áo sơ mi.I think a shirt.
- TuấnÝ kiến hay đấy, Lan.That's a good idea, Lan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “birthday” translations and entries sinh nhật, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
