Malipayon nga kaadlawan
In Ilonggo, happy birthday is Malipayon nga kaadlawan.
This phrase is used to express good wishes for someone's birthday.
Meaning: good wishes for a birthday (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of malipayon (happy), nga (a linker/conjunction) and kaadlawan (birthday).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Negros Occidental region, speakers use Maayong adlaw sa imo nga natawhan! to say 'Happy Birthday!' In the province of Capiz, speakers use Malipayong adlaw sa imo nga pagkatawo! to wish someone a happy birthday.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word nga acts as a grammatical linker between the adjective malipayon and the noun kaadlawan, meaning 'that' or 'which'.
Did you know?
- While Malipayon nga kaadlawan is the standard phrase, in many Panay and Negros households, it is common to celebrate with 'pancit', long noodles that symbolize a long life.
- The variation natawhan used in Negros Occidental comes from the root tawo, meaning 'person' or 'human'. This makes the greeting literally refer to the 'act of becoming a person'.
- The word kaadlawan is derived from adlaw, which means both 'sun' and 'day'. In Ilonggo, a birthday is conceptually linked to the returning of the sun.
Examples in context
- Malipayon nga Kaadlawan, Juan!Happy Birthday, Juan!
- Malipayon nga kaadlawan sa imo!Happy birthday to you!
- Malipayon nga kaadlawan sa tanan!Happy birthday to everyone!
- Malipayon nga kaadlawan, abyan.Happy birthday, friend.
Example conversation
Ricardo visits Maria at her house to celebrate her special day.
- RicardoMalipayon nga kaadlawan, Maria!Happy birthday, Maria!
- MariaSalamat gid, Ricardo.Thank you so much, Ricardo.
- RicardoMay pagkaon bala diri?Is there food here?
- MariaHuo, dako ang handa ko.Yes, I prepared a lot.
