Ways to say it
| Hungarian | IPA |
|---|---|
| boldog születésnapot | [ˈboldoɡ ˌsylɛteːʃnɒpot] (narrow) |
| Isten éltessen! | |
| Isten éltessen sokáig! |
These phrases are used to convey good wishes to someone celebrating their birthday. While boldog születésnapot is a direct way to say happy birthday, other idiomatic expressions are common in Hungarian culture.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase boldog születésnapot literally means 'happy birthday', where boldog means 'happy' and születésnap means 'birthday'.
Which one should you use?
boldog születésnapot is a direct translation of the English 'happy birthday'. In contrast, Isten éltessen! is a more traditional and idiomatic Hungarian greeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more informal and shortened version, you can say Boldog szülinapot! Isten éltessen! is a traditional way to congratulate someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase boldog születésnapot, the word születésnapot is in the accusative case, ending in -t. This is because the phrase is an elliptical form of 'I wish you a happy birthday'.
When do people say it?
The phrase Isten éltessen! is the most common traditional way to congratulate someone on their birthday in Hungary. A longer version, Isten éltessen sokáig!, means 'May God bless you for a long time!' Another informal way to express well wishes is Sok boldogságot kívánok neked a születésnapodon!, which means 'I wish you much happiness on your birthday!'
Did you know?
- In Hungarian culture, it is common to congratulate someone on their 'name day', which is the feast day of the saint they are named after, using similar phrases to a birthday.
- The word Isten is believed to have been formed by adding diminutive suffixes to its stem, which is unusual for a word describing a supreme being.
- The phrase Isten éltessen! is used not only for birthdays but also as a general way to congratulate someone on a significant life achievement or anniversary.
Examples in context
- Boldog születésnapot kívánok neked.I wish you a happy birthday.This sentence shows how to use boldog születésnapot to wish someone a happy birthday.Tatoeba #3014898 by Aleksandro40, translation #897532 by CM
- Ne felejts el boldog születésnapot kívánni Tomnak!Don't forget to wish Tom a happy birthday.Tatoeba #10959398 by H_Liliom, translation #7936552 by AlanF_US
- Boldog születésnapot, Aiba!Happy birthday, Aiba!This sentence shows a direct birthday greeting using boldog születésnapot.Tatoeba #2900122 by Muelisto, translation #2719624 by WestofEden
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tamás greets Katalin at her party.
- TamásSzia Kati! Boldog születésnapot!Hi Kati! Happy birthday!
- KatalinKöszönöm szépen, Tamás!Thank you very much, Tamás!
- TamásEz egy kis ajándék neked.This is a little gift for you.
- KatalinDe kedves vagy, köszönöm!You are so kind, thank you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations and entries boldog születésnapot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Isten, boldog, boldog születésnapot, isten, sokáig, születésnapot, éltessen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
