What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of janamdin (birthday), ki (of/possessive marker) and shubhkamnayein (good wishes).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express these wishes depending on the level of respect and social closeness. For a formal or respectful tone, you can use जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं! to say "Heartfelt birthday wishes!", आपको जन्मदिन की बधाई हो! to say "Congratulations on your birthday!" to an esteemed person or आपके जन्मदिन पर बहुत बहुत बधाई हो! to convey "Many many congratulations on your birthday!" For informal situations, जन्मदिन मुबारक हो! is a very common and colloquial way to say "Happy birthday!" You can also use तुम्हारे जन्मदिन पर बधाई हो! to mean "Congratulations on your birthday!" informally, or the casual expression तेरे जन्मदिन पर ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं! to say "Lots of good wishes on your birthday!" among close friends and family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the plural form shubhkamnayein. If you wish to use the singular "birthday wish", use the form जन्मदिन की शुभकामना.
How do you pronounce it?
janamdin ki shubhkamnayein
What mistakes should you avoid?
When wishing someone who is older or more respected, ensure you use आप instead of तू to show proper respect.
Did you know?
- In many traditional Indian households, a birthday is celebrated by having an elder apply a tika (a red vermilion mark) to the forehead as a blessing alongside the spoken wishes.
- While जन्मदिन मुबारक हो! is common in Hindi, the word मुबारक (mubarak) is actually an Arabic loanword that entered Hindi via Persian.
- In a celebratory context, the phrase ढेर सारी (dher sari) used for 'lots of' literally translates to 'a whole pile of' wishes.
Examples in context
- जन्मदिन मुबारक हो, रमेश! आपका जन्मदिन खुशियों और समृद्धि से भरा हो।Happy birthday, Ramesh! May your special day be filled with happiness and prosperity.
- मेरी तरफ से जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं स्वीकार करें।Meri taraf se janmadin ki shubhkamnayein sweekar karein.Please accept my birthday wishes.
Example conversation
Neha calls Amit to wish him on his birthday.
- नेहा Nehaनमस्ते अमित, जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं!Namaste Amit, janmadin ki shubhkamanayein!Hello Amit, birthday wishes!
- अमित Amitधन्यवाद नेहा, तुम्हारा फोन करने के लिए शुक्रिया।Dhanyavad Neha, tumhara phone karne ke liye shukriya.Thank you Neha, thanks for calling.
- नेहा Nehaआज का दिन कैसा जा रहा है?Aaj ka din kaisa ja raha hai?How is your day going today?
- अमित Amitबहुत अच्छा, सब लोग बहुत खुश हैं।Bahut achha, sab log bahut khush hain.Very good, everyone is very happy.
