shēngrì kuàilè
standard, pinyin
Happy birthday in Chinese is shēngrì kuàilè in pinyin, written 生日快乐 in characters. A fuller wish is zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, "I wish you a happy birthday".
Meaning: birthday wish (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Note |
|---|---|
| shēngrì kuàilè | standard, pinyin |
| zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè | full wish |
What does it mean word for word?
shēngrì is "birthday" and kuàilè is "happy". zhù means "to wish", and nǐ is "you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For someone older or for a customer, change nǐ to nín and say zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè.
When do people say it?
A traditional birthday dish in China is longevity noodles, called chángshòu miàn, eaten uncut for long life.
Did you know?
- The wish shēngrì kuàilè is borrowed in structure from the New Year greeting xīnnián kuàilè, both using kuàilè for "happy".
Examples in context
- Shēngrì kuàilè!Happy birthday!
- Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, wànshì rúyì.Happy birthday, may everything go well.
- Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng.Happy birthday, wishing you good health.
Example conversation
Hui brings a cake to her coworker Jun at the office.
- HuiXiǎo Jūn, shēngrì kuàilè!Happy birthday, Xiao Jun!
- JunXièxie nǐ, wǒ hěn gāoxìng.Thank you, I am very happy.
- HuiLái, chī dàngāo ba.Come, have some cake.
