felix dies natalis
[ˈfeː.liːks ˈdi.eːs naːˈtaː.lɪs]word by word
To say happy birthday in Latin, use felix dies natalis. Wiktionary also lists felicem natalem and fortuna dies natalis.
Meaning: good wishes for a birthday (intj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| felix dies natalis | [ˈfeː.liːks ˈdi.eːs naːˈtaː.lɪs] (Classical Latin, word by word, narrow) |
| felicem natalem | |
| fortuna dies natalis | [fɔrˈtuː.na ˈdi.eːs naːˈtaː.lɪs] (Classical Latin, word by word, narrow) |
| felix sit dies natalis |
The phrases are used to offer good wishes for someone's birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase felix dies natalis is composed of felix (happy/lucky), dies (day) and natalis (relating to birth).
Which one should you use?
felix dies natalis is a common way to state the phrase. However, if the phrase functions as the direct object of a verb like 'to wish', you should use the grammatically correct accusative form felicem natalem.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the wish is the object of a verb, as in Tibi felicem diem natalem opto! (I wish you a happy birthday), the words change to the accusative felicem diem natalem .
Did you know?
- The word felix originally had nothing to do with 'happiness' in the emotional sense. It stems from a word meaning 'to suckle', originally describing a 'suckling' or a creature that is 'fruitful' and 'fertile'.
Examples in context
- Felix dies natalis, Didyme!Happy birthday, Tom!This sentence shows how to use felix dies natalis to address someone.Tatoeba #11049428 by carlosalberto, translation #2337263 by Hybrid
- Felix dies natalis, Marce!Happy birthday, Marcus!
- Felix dies natalis, amice dulcissime!Happy birthday, sweetest friend!
- Felix dies natalis tibi!Happy birthday to you!
Example conversation
Aurelia greets Marcus on his special day.
- AureliaFelix dies natalis, Marce!Happy birthday, Marcus!
- MarcusGratias tibi ago, Aurelia.Thank you, Aurelia.
- AureliaVisne cenare mecum hodie?Do you want to dine with me today?
- MarcusIta vero, libenter!Yes indeed, gladly!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (felix, dies, natalis, fortuna) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dies, felix, fortuna, natalis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
