buon compleanno nonna
/ˈbwɔn kom.pleˈan.no ˈnɔn.na/word by word
To say "happy birthday grandma" in Italian, use buon compleanno nonna.
This phrase is used as a greeting to wish a grandmother a happy birthday.
Which one should you use?
You may also use Tanti auguri, Nonnina!, Felice compleanno, Nonnetta! or Buon compleanno, Nonna cara! as informal ways to say happy birthday grandma.
When do people say it?
In Italian, the word auguri means "best wishes". To add extra affection, you can use the word cara, which means "dear".
Did you know?
- In many Italian families, instead of just saying 'happy birthday', people might say Cento di questi giorni!, which means 'A hundred of these days!' It is a way of wishing the grandmother many more years of health.
- The word compleanno is a linguistic hybrid. It combines the Italian word anno for 'year' with a structure influenced by the Spanish word cumpleaños, making it a bit of a linguistic misfit in the Italian language.
- In many Italian families, the nonna is the emotional center of the home, and birthday celebrations for her often involve a multi-course meal that lasts several hours.
Examples in context
- Tanti auguri e buon compleanno nonna.Best wishes and happy birthday grandma.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are visiting their grandmother for her party.
- SofiaGuarda, è arrivata! Buon compleanno nonna!Look, she's here! Happy birthday grandma!
- MatteoSì, che bella sorpresa!Yes, what a lovely surprise!
- SofiaMatteo, dai a lei il mazzo di fiori.Matteo, give her the bouquet of flowers.
- MatteoEcco a te, buon compleanno nonna!Here you go, happy birthday grandma!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buon, compleanno, nonna) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compleanno, nonna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
