Celebrating birthdays is a special occasion that brings joy and happiness. It’s always extra thoughtful to wish someone a happy birthday in their native language, showing your appreciation and making the day even more special. In this guide, we will explore how to say “happy birthday” in various languages, including both formal and informal ways. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
English
Starting with the language you’re reading this guide in, in English, we commonly say “Happy Birthday!” as a standard greeting to wish someone well on their special day. Another informal variation is “Happy B-day!”
Spanish
In Spanish, there are several ways to say happy birthday. The formal way is “¡Feliz cumpleaños!” which translates directly to “Happy birthday!” For a more informal approach, you can say “¡Felicidades!” meaning “Congratulations!”
French
When celebrating a birthday in French, the formal way is to say “Joyeux anniversaire!” which means “Happy birthday!” In an informal setting, you can also opt for “Bon anniversaire!” which is similar.
Italian
In Italian, you can express birthday wishes formally by saying “Buon compleanno!” or more casually by using “Tanti auguri!” which means “Many wishes!”
German
For German birthday greetings, you can say “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!” to wish someone a formal happy birthday. In an informal setting, you can use “Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!” which translates to “Congratulations on your birthday!”
Portuguese
The formal way to say happy birthday in Portuguese is “Feliz aniversário!” You can also use “Parabéns!” which means “Congratulations!” in a more informal context.
Russian
In Russian, you can say “С днем рождения!” (pronounced “S dnyem rozhdeniya!”) to wish someone a happy birthday. This is the standard greeting both formally and informally.
Mandarin Chinese
To say happy birthday in Mandarin Chinese, you can use the phrase “生日快乐” (pronounced “shēngrì kuàilè”) which literally translates to “birthday happy.” This greeting is both formal and informal.
Japanese
Japanese offers a couple of ways to wish someone a happy birthday. The formal phrase is “お誕生日おめでとうございます” (pronounced “otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu”). In casual settings, you can go with “誕生日おめでとう” (pronounced “tanjoubi omedetou”).
Swahili
In Swahili, a commonly spoken language in East Africa, the formal way to wish someone a happy birthday is “Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa!” For informal occasions, “Hongera!” meaning “Congratulations!” works as well.
Hindi
In Hindi, you can say “जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएँ” (pronounced “Janamdin ki shubhkaamnaen!”) to greet someone on their birthday formally. In more informal settings, you can use “बधाई हो!” (pronounced “Badhaai ho!”) which simply means “Congratulations!”
Arabic
Arabic offers a formal birthday greeting “عيد ميلاد سعيد” (pronounced “eed milaad saeed”), which translates to “Happy birthday!” For informal settings, you can say “كل عام وأنت بخير” (pronounced “kul ‘am wa anta bikhair”) meaning “Every year, may you be well!”
Additional Tips:
- When in doubt, using the formal version is generally a safer choice, particularly if you’re unsure of the recipient’s preferences.
- If you’re in a specific region or cultural context, it’s always a good idea to research any local or regional variations for birthday greetings.
- Consider accompanying your birthday wishes with a smile and a personalized message to make it more heartfelt.
Remember, the most important thing is to ensure your birthday greetings come from the heart. Regardless of the language you use, the sincerity and warmth behind your words will make the recipient feel truly special.
This guide has provided you with a collection of how to say “happy birthday” in various languages formally and informally. Remember that languages and cultural contexts can be diverse, so it’s always wise to do some additional research or consult native speakers for specific regional variations. Celebrate birthdays in style by embracing the richness of different languages and spreading joy on these special occasions!
