What does it mean word for word?
The word cumpleaños is a compound word consisting of cumplir (to fulfill or complete) and años (years).
Which one should you use?
While ¡feliz cumpleaños, amigo! is a standard way to address a friend, you can use other variations to change the nuance. ¡Feliz cumple, amigo! uses the common informal shortening cumple for cumpleaños, making it sound like "happy b-day, friend!" You might also use ¡Feliz cumpleaños, compa! for an informal "dude" feel or ¡feliz cumpleaños, colega! to give it a more colloquial "buddy" or "mate" feel.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase ¡feliz cumpleaños, amigo! is generally informal. Other forms like ¡Feliz cumpleaños, compa! and ¡feliz cumple, amigo! are also informal, as is ¡feliz cumpleaños, colega!
How do you pronounce it?
/feˈliθ kumpleˈaɲos aˈmiɡo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the birthday person bites the top of the cake before cutting it. This custom is known as la mordida and is often accompanied by friends playfully pushing the person's face into the frosting.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to sing Las Mañanitas instead of the English 'Happy Birthday' song. This traditional song is especially popular in Mexico and is often performed at dawn.
- While amigo is widely understood, the term compa is a shortened version of compadre. Originally, it referred to a co-parent or godfather, but it evolved into a colloquial term for a close 'dude'.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¡feliz cumpleaños, amigo!Hey, happy birthday, dude!
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños, amigo!, pásala bien.Happy birthday, dude! Have a good one.
Example conversation
Lucía meets Alejandro at a small birthday gathering.
- Lucía¡Feliz cumpleaños, amigo!Happy birthday, dude!
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thanks a lot, Lucía.
- Lucía¿Te gusta el regalo?Do you like the gift?
- AlejandroSí, ¡está genial!Yes, it's great!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (feliz, cumpleaños, amigo) and can differ in connected speech.
