Gefeliciteerd
everyday, Netherlands
In the Netherlands you wish someone a happy birthday with Gefeliciteerd, which means "congratulations". The full version is Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag. It is also called Van harte gefeliciteerd.
Meaning: birthday greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | Note |
|---|---|
| Gefeliciteerd | everyday, Netherlands |
| Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag | neutral |
| Van harte gefeliciteerd | formal |
Dutch people say gefeliciteerd to the birthday person and often to their family too. Cards often say Van harte gefeliciteerd.
Which one should you use?
In Flanders people also say Proficiat, which is rare in the Netherlands. An English-style Gelukkige verjaardag is possible but sounds less natural.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use je with friends and uw with someone you address formally, as in Gefeliciteerd met uw verjaardag.
Did you know?
- In the Netherlands it is a custom to congratulate the whole family at a birthday, so you might say gefeliciteerd to a parent when their child turns a year older.
Examples in context
- Gefeliciteerd!Happy birthday!
- Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag, Anne!Happy birthday, Anne!
- Van harte gefeliciteerd met uw verjaardag.Heartfelt congratulations on your birthday.
Example conversation
Lisa greets her colleague Mark in the office in Utrecht on his birthday.
- LisaGefeliciteerd, Mark!Happy birthday, Mark!
- MarkDank je wel!Thank you very much!
- LisaEr is taart in de keuken.There is cake in the kitchen.
