joyeux anniversaire en retard
Happy belated birthday in French is joyeux anniversaire en retard.
Use it when you wish someone a happy birthday after the date has passed. The casual Bon anniversaire en retard! is just as common.
What does it mean word for word?
en retard means late or behind schedule and is added to the standard joyeux anniversaire.
Which one should you use?
A more formal wish is Je vous souhaite un joyeux anniversaire avec quelques jours de retard, I wish you a happy birthday a few days late. Among friends you can add an apology, as in Désolé(e) pour le retard, mais j'espère que tu as passé un super anniversaire!
Did you know?
- While anniversaire is used for birthdays, the French use the same word for a wedding 'anniversary', unlike English which distinguishes between the two events.
- The adjective joyeux specifically implies a state of celebration and outward cheer, whereas the word heureux is used for 'happy' in many other contexts.
- The word anniversaire literally contains the Latin idea of a year 'turning' or 'revolving', coming from the roots annus for 'year' and vertō for 'to turn'.
Examples in context
- Joyeux anniversaire en retard, ma chère !Happy belated birthday, my dear!
- Je te souhaite un joyeux anniversaire en retard.I wish you a happy belated birthday.
Example conversation
Hugo is calling Chloé to congratulate her after missing her birthday.
- HugoSalut Chloé, joyeux anniversaire en retard !Hi Chloé, happy belated birthday!
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Hugo, c'est très gentil.Thank you very much, Hugo, that is very kind.
- HugoTu as passé une bonne journée ?Did you have a good day?
- ChloéOui, c'était une journée magnifique.Yes, it was a magnificent day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anniversaire, en, joyeux, retard, CC BY-SA 4.0.
