Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| joyeux anniversaire | /ʒwa.jø.z‿a.ni.vɛʁ.sɛʁ/ | |
| bon anniversaire | /bɔ.n‿a.ni.vɛʁ.sɛʁ/ | |
| bonne fête | /bɔn fɛt/ (France) /bɔn fɛːt/ (Quebec) |
Canada |
These phrases are used to express good wishes for someone's birthday. If you want to use the verb form to wish someone a happy birthday, you can use souhaiter un joyeux anniversaire. Other common expressions include Que cette journée d'anniversaire soit remplie de bonheur (may this birthday be filled with happiness), Profite de ta journée d'anniversaire (enjoy your birthday) and Que tu passes une journée géniale pour ton anniversaire (may you have an amazing day for your birthday).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase joyeux anniversaire is composed of joyeux (joyful) and anniversaire (anniversary/birthday).
Which one should you use?
While bon anniversaire and joyeux anniversaire are both common, bon anniversaire is slightly more casual and frequent in everyday speech. In contrast, joyeux anniversaire is often perceived as slightly more formal or emphatic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec and other parts of French-speaking Canada, bonne fête is the standard way to say happy birthday.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒwa.jø.z‿a.ni.vɛʁ.sɛʁ/
Did you know?
- In a traditional French birthday gathering, it is common for the birthday person to be the one who provides the treats or cake for the guests.
- In France, bonne fête is used to celebrate a person's 'name day' rather than their birthday. This is the day a saint who shares the person's name is honored.
- The word anniversaire comes from the Latin anniversārius, which combines annus for 'year' and vertō for 'to turn'.
Examples in context
- Bon anniversaire, Tom !Happy birthday, Tom!This sentence shows how to use bon anniversaire to address Tom.Tatoeba #8648902 by Micsmithel, translation #2337263 by Hybrid
- Bon anniversaire, Shishir !Happy birthday, Shishir!This sentence shows how to use bon anniversaire to address Shishir.Tatoeba #1111516 by sacredceltic, translation #1110954 by Ricardo14
- Joyeux anniversaire Muiriel !Happy birthday, Muiriel!This sentence shows how to use joyeux anniversaire to address Muiriel.Tatoeba #3096 by sysko, translation #355041 by human600
- Joyeux anniversaire! Que cette journée t'apporte beaucoup de joie, de bonheur, et de succès!Happy birthday! May this day bring you much joy, happiness, and success!
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé gives Nathan a gift.
- ChloéJoyeux anniversaire, Nathan !Happy birthday, Nathan!
- NathanMerci beaucoup, Chloé !Thank you very much, Chloé!
- ChloéTu aimes ton cadeau ?Do you like your gift?
- NathanOui, c'est super !Yes, it's great!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations and entries joyeux anniversaire, bon anniversaire, bonne fête, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anniversaire, bon, fête, joyeux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
