Feliz aniversário!
standard, Brazil
In Brazil you say Feliz aniversário! for happy birthday. Many people just say Parabéns!, which means "congratulations" and is used on a birthday all the time. It is also called Parabéns pra você.
Meaning: birthday greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Feliz aniversário! | standard, Brazil |
| Parabéns! | everyday, Brazil |
| Parabéns pra você | song |
At a party the whole room sings Parabéns pra você, and then someone leads the shout É pique, é pique! before the cake is cut.
Which one should you use?
Feliz aniversário is the exact wording, while Parabéns works for any success and is the word people shout.
When do people say it?
Birthday guests often finish the song with Com quem será?, a rhyming tradition about who the birthday person will marry, and the room claps along.
Did you know?
- The Brazilian birthday song is Parabéns a você, sung to the same tune as "Happy Birthday to You", and has its own rhyming ending.
Examples in context
- Feliz aniversário, Ana! Muita saúde e felicidade.Happy birthday, Ana! Lots of health and happiness.
- Parabéns! Hoje o dia é seu.Congratulations! Today is your day.
- Parabéns pra você, nesta data querida.Happy birthday to you, on this dear day.
Example conversation
Ricardo arrives at the birthday party of his friend Helena in Brasília.
- RicardoFeliz aniversário, Helena!Happy birthday, Helena!
- HelenaObrigada, Ricardo! Entra!Thank you, Ricardo! Come in!
- RicardoParabéns! Trouxe um presente para você.Congratulations! I brought a gift for you.
