feliz cumpleaños, papá
/feˈliθ kumpleˈaɲos paˈpa/word by word
The English phrase "happy birthday father" is translated into Spanish as feliz cumpleaños, papá.
This phrase is a greeting used to wish one's father a happy birthday. In casual settings, you may see the word cumpleaños shortened to the colloquial cumple in the phrase ¡Feliz cumple, papá! to mean "Happy b-day, dad!"
Which one should you use?
The choice of word for father changes the tone of the greeting. Using papá is the common, affectionate way to say "dad" or "papa", while using padre makes the greeting more formal or even distant.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term papá is an informal and affectionate term for a father. For a more formal situation, you can use the phrase Deseándole un feliz cumpleaños, estimado padre to say "Wishing you a happy birthday, dear father.".
How does it change in a sentence?
When writing exclamatory phrases in Spanish, it is common practice to use both an opening and a closing exclamation mark, such as in ¡Feliz cumpleaños, papá!
How do you pronounce it?
/feˈliθ kumpleˈaɲos paˈpa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is traditional to celebrate a father's birthday by singing Las Mañanitas, a morning serenade that differs significantly from the English 'Happy Birthday' song.
- In some Caribbean Spanish dialects, the diminutive papi is used as a general term of endearment for men, boys or partners, even if the person is not actually a father.
- The word papá is not originally a Spanish word, but was borrowed into the language from the Middle French word papa.
Examples in context
- ¡Felicidades en tu día, viejo! Espero que este cumpleaños esté lleno de alegría y risas. Gracias por ser el mejor padre del mundo.Congratulations on your day, old man! I hope this birthday is filled with joy and laughter. Thank you for being the best father in the world.
- Te deseo un feliz cumpleaños, papá.I wish you a happy birthday, Dad.
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños, papá, que cumplas muchos más!Happy birthday, Dad, may you have many more!
Example conversation
Elena calls her father Javier to wish him a happy birthday.
- Elena¡Feliz cumpleaños, papá!Happy birthday, Dad!
- JavierMuchas gracias, hija.Thank you very much, daughter.
- Elena¿Cómo vas a celebrar hoy?How are you going to celebrate today?
- JavierVoy a comer con tu madre.I am going to eat with your mother.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (feliz, cumpleaños, papá) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cumpleaños, feliz, papá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
