What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'birthday congratulations', where felicitaciones means 'congratulations' and de cumpleaños means 'of birthday'.
Which one should you use?
While felicitaciones de cumpleaños refers to the concept of the messages themselves, if you want to actually wish someone a happy birthday, use the standard phrase ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to follow ¡Feliz cumpleaños! with the phrase Que la pases muy bien (May you have a great time) or Que se cumplan todos tus deseos (May all your wishes come true). In Spain, you can use Feliz cumpleaños followed by Que cumplas muchos más (May you have many more birthdays) or Que lo pases genial (Have a great time). In Argentina, you can say ¡Feliz cumple! followed by Que la pases súper bien (May you have a great time) or Que se te cumplan todos tus deseos (May all your wishes come true).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can singularize the phrase to felicitación de cumpleaños if you are referring to one single wish or message.
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθitaθjones de kumpleaɲos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the 'birthday wishes' are accompanied by the custom of la mordida, where the birthday person's face is pushed into the cake after the first bite.
- In some Latin American countries, the traditional birthday song differs from the standard Feliz Cumpleaños and instead uses the song Las Mañanitas to wake the birthday person with wishes.
- The root of felicitaciones is related to the English word 'felicity', which refers to a state of intense happiness.
Examples in context
- ¡Feliz cumple, amiga! Espero que este día esté lleno de alegría y amor.Happy birthday, friend! I hope this day is filled with joy and love.
- Gracias por las felicitaciones de cumpleaños.Thank you for the birthday wishes.
- Recibí muchas felicitaciones de cumpleaños por redes sociales.I received many birthday wishes on social media.
- Envié algunas felicitaciones de cumpleaños a mi hermano.I sent some birthday wishes to my brother.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking on the phone after a celebration.
- Javier¿Recibiste muchas felicitaciones de cumpleaños hoy?Did you receive many birthday wishes today?
- SofíaSí, Javier, todas las felicitaciones de cumpleaños fueron muy lindas.Yes, Javier, all the birthday wishes were very sweet.
- JavierMe alegra mucho oír eso.I am very happy to hear that.
- SofíaMuchas gracias por acordarte de mí.Thank you so much for remembering me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
