chúc mừng kỷ niệm
chúc mừng kỷ niệm is the Vietnamese way to say happy anniversary.
This phrase is a general greeting used to congratulate someone on various types of anniversaries, such as a wedding anniversary or a company founding anniversary.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chúc mừng, which means to congratulate or congratulations and kỷ niệm, which means anniversary or memory.
Which one should you use?
chúc mừng kỷ niệm is a concise way to say happy anniversary, while the slightly longer Chúc mừng ngày kỷ niệm! translates specifically to 'Congratulations on the anniversary day.'
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the number of years being celebrated, place the number and the word năm (years) after the phrase. For example, chúc mừng kỷ niệm 5 năm means happy 5th anniversary.
Did you know?
- While chúc mừng kỷ niệm is common, Vietnamese speakers often avoid using it for death anniversaries, as these are solemn days of remembrance rather than celebrations.
- The word niệm in kỷ niệm comes from the Chinese character 念, which historically depicts a heart beneath a mind, symbolizing the act of keeping something in one's heart.
- The phrase is quite formal because of its Sino-Vietnamese components, making it very suitable for official company celebrations or formal wedding toasts.
Examples in context
- Chúc mừng kỷ niệm ngày cưới của hai bạn.Happy wedding anniversary to the two of you.
- Chúc mừng kỷ niệm một năm thành lập công ty!Happy first anniversary of the company's founding!
- Chúc mừng kỷ niệm ngày chúng ta gặp nhau.Happy anniversary of the day we met.
Example conversation
Nam and Hương are celebrating their wedding anniversary at a restaurant.
- NamChúc mừng kỷ niệm ngày cưới, Hương nhé!Happy wedding anniversary, Huong!
- HươngCảm ơn anh, Nam. Em rất hạnh phúc.Thank you, Nam. I am very happy.
- NamAnh yêu em rất nhiều.I love you very much.
- HươngEm cũng yêu anh.I love you too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chúc, mừng, niệm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
