Joyeux anniversaire !
standard
To a man say Joyeux anniversaire ! It is the same wording as for a woman, since joyeux agrees with the masculine noun anniversaire. It is also called Joyeux anniversaire, monsieur and Bon anniversaire !
Meaning: birthday greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Joyeux anniversaire ! | standard |
| Joyeux anniversaire, monsieur | polite |
| Bon anniversaire ! | common |
Add his name, or monsieur if you are being polite. Bon anniversaire ! is just as common.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To an older man you address as vous, you can say Je vous souhaite un joyeux anniversaire.
Did you know?
- In France the same greeting is said on a birthday, while a name day, la fête, is a separate tradition tied to the saint of that date.
Examples in context
- Joyeux anniversaire, papa !Happy birthday, Dad!
- Bon anniversaire, Pierre !Happy birthday, Pierre!
- Je vous souhaite un joyeux anniversaire.I wish you a happy birthday.
Example conversation
The office team (Équipe) and his colleague Sandra surprise Pierre with a cake on his fortieth birthday.
- ÉquipeJoyeux anniversaire, Pierre !Happy birthday, Pierre!
- PierreOh, merci à tous !Oh, thanks everyone!
- SandraQuarante ans, ça se fête.Forty years, that calls for a celebration.
- PierreJe coupe le gâteau.I will cut the cake.
