feliz aniversário
/feˈliz a.ni.veʁˈsa.ɾju/
feliz aniversário is the Portuguese phrase for happy anniversary.
The phrase is used to congratulate someone on a yearly milestone. However, because it is also the standard way to say "happy birthday" in Portuguese, it can be ambiguous. For many milestones, you may also hear the word parabéns used as a standalone greeting to say "congratulations".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of feliz (happy) and aniversário (anniversary/birthday).
Which one should you use?
To specifically congratulate someone on a wedding anniversary and avoid any confusion with a birthday, you should use feliz aniversário de casamento.
How do you pronounce it?
/feˈliz a.ni.veʁˈsa.ɾju/. The word has 6 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use feliz aniversário to mean "happy anniversary" for weddings. However, in Portuguese, this is also the standard way to say "happy birthday". To be clear about a wedding anniversary, use feliz aniversário de casamento.
Did you know?
- The word feliz has an unexpected and ancient connection to the act of suckling, stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root for nursing a child.
- In Brazil, it is common to sing Parabéns a Você, which uses the same melody as the English 'Happy Birthday to You' song.
Examples in context
- Desejamos um feliz aniversário de casamento!We wish you a happy wedding anniversary!
- Parabéns pelo seu aniversário de casamento!Congratulations on your wedding anniversary!
- Feliz aniversário de casamento para vocês dois!Happy wedding anniversary to both of you!
- Parabéns pelos 10 anos de casados!Congratulations on your 10th wedding anniversary!
- Espero que vocês tenham um feliz aniversário de casamento!I hope you have a happy wedding anniversary!
- Feliz aniversário de casamento!Happy wedding anniversary!
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are celebrating their wedding anniversary at dinner.
- BeatrizFeliz aniversário, Felipe!Happy anniversary, Felipe!
- FelipeMuito obrigado, Beatriz!Thank you very much, Beatriz!
- BeatrizEu te amo muito.I love you very much.
- FelipeEu também te amo.I love you too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry feliz aniversário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aniversário, feliz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
