Birthdays are special occasions that are celebrated in numerous countries around the world. While the traditions and customs may vary from one culture to another, one thing remains constant – wishing someone a happy birthday. In this guide, we will explore how to say “happy birthday” in different languages, both formally and informally. Whether you want to surprise your loved ones or impress your international friends, this comprehensive list will have you covered. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
English Language
Let’s begin with the most widely spoken language in the world, English. In English, the standard way to say “happy birthday” is, of course, “Happy Birthday!” However, if you want to add a personal touch, you can also use variations like “Many happy returns!” or “Wishing you a fantastic birthday!”
Spanish Language
Spanish is the second most spoken language worldwide, so wishing someone a happy birthday in Spanish can be quite useful. The standard formal phrase is “Feliz cumpleaños,” which directly translates to “Happy birthday.” For a more casual approach, you can use “¡Feliz cumple!” or “¡Felicitaciones en tu día!” to convey your wishes.
French Language
In French, you can say “Joyeux anniversaire” to wish someone a happy birthday. This phrase works both formally and informally. Another casual option is “Bonne fête,” which directly translates to “Good party.” Don’t forget to add a warm “Je te souhaite une excellente journée” to extend your well wishes.
German Language
German speakers celebrate birthdays with the phrase “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag.” For a more informal tone, you can use “Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag.” To further personalize your message, add “Viel Glück und viel Segen für das neue Lebensjahr” which means “Lots of luck and blessings for your new year of life.”
Italian Language
In Italian, you can wish someone a happy birthday by saying “Buon compleanno.” For a more casual setting, you can also use “Tanti auguri” or “Felice compleanno.” To emphasize your good wishes, add “Che tu possa realizzare tutti i tuoi sogni” which translates to “May all your dreams come true.”
Russian Language
Russians celebrate birthdays by saying “С днем рождения” (pronounced as “S dnyom rozhdeniya”). This phrase works well for both formal and informal settings. Another option is “Поздравляю с днем рождения” (pronounced as “Pozdravlyayu s dnyom rozhdeniya”), which means “Congratulations on your birthday.”
Japanese Language
In Japanese, you can say “お誕生日おめでとうございます” (pronounced as “Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu”) to wish someone a happy birthday. This phrase is suited for formal situations. For informal occasions, you can use “お誕生日おめでとう” (pronounced as “Otanjoubi omedetou”).
Chinese Language
Mandarin Chinese offers a couple of variations to wish someone a happy birthday. The formal phrase is “生日快乐” (pronounced as “Shēngrì kuàilè”). In a more casual context, you can use “祝你生日快乐” (pronounced as “Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè”). For Cantonese speakers, “生日快樂” (pronounced as “Sāangyaht faailohk”) is the standard phrase.
Indonesian Language
Indonesians typically say “Selamat ulang tahun” to wish someone a happy birthday. For a less formal approach, you can use “Selamat hari lahir” or “Met ultah!” To make the message more heartfelt, you can include “Semoga panjang umur dan sehat selalu” which means “May you have a long life and stay healthy always.”
Swahili Language
In Swahili, you can say “Heri ya siku kuu” to wish someone a happy birthday. For a more casual setting, you can use “Hongera!” or “Furaha ya kuzaliwa!” As a bonus, you can include “Nakutakia kila la kheri katika siku yako ya kuzaliwa” which translates to “Wishing you all the best on your birthday.”
Conclusion
Celebrating birthdays is a universal tradition, and knowing how to wish someone a happy birthday in their native language can leave a lasting impression. We’ve covered several languages and provided you with formal and informal phrases to fit any setting. Remember to consider the unique customs and traditions of the region you’re in, as regional variations may exist. Now, armed with this knowledge, you can bring joy and warmth to your loved ones, friends, and acquaintances around the world on their special day. Happy birthday, or shall we say, お誕生日おめでとうございます, Joyeux anniversaire, or Feliz cumpleaños!
