Buon compleanno cara sorella
/ˈbwɔn kom.pleˈan.no ˈka.ra soˈrɛl.la/word by word
The English phrase 'happy birthday dear sister' is translated into Italian as Buon compleanno cara sorella.
This phrase is a greeting used to wish a sister a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buon (good), compleanno (birthday), cara (dear) and sorella (sister).
Which one should you use?
While Buon compleanno cara sorella is a direct way to say happy birthday, you can also use the common alternative Auguri, sorella mia!, which means 'Best wishes, my sister!'
How does it change in a sentence?
In the affectionate construction cara sorella, the adjective cara (dear) precedes the noun sorella (sister).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 8 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While cara means 'dear', it is also the word used to describe something 'expensive' in a store.
- If you want to be even more affectionate, you can say sorellina, which is the diminutive form of sorella used to mean 'little sister' or to express tenderness.
- The word compleanno is a partial calque of the Spanish word cumpleaños, adapted to combine the Italian word anno meaning 'year' with the concept of completion.
Examples in context
- Tanti auguri di buon compleanno, cara sorella.Many wishes for a happy birthday, dear sister.
- Auguri di buon compleanno, sorellina mia!Happy birthday, my dear little sister!
- Tanti auguri e buon compleanno cara sorella.Best wishes and happy birthday dear sister.
Example conversation
Alessandro gives a gift to Sofia on her birthday.
- AlessandroBuon compleanno cara sorella!Happy birthday dear sister!
- SofiaGrazie mille, Alessandro!Thank you so much, Alessandro!
- AlessandroTi piace il regalo?Do you like the gift?
- SofiaSì, è bellissimo!Yes, it is beautiful!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buon, compleanno, cara, sorella) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compleanno, sorella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
