كل سنة وإنت طيب
kell sine w inte ṭayyebto a man, everyday
The everyday Lebanese birthday wish is كل سنة وإنت طيب (kell sine w inte ṭayyeb), "every year and you are well". To a woman say كل سنة وإنتِ طيبة (kell sine w inti ṭayyibe). It is also called عيد ميلاد سعيد (ʿīd mīlād saʿīd).
Meaning: birthday greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كل سنة وإنت طيب | kell sine w inte ṭayyeb | to a man, everyday |
| كل سنة وإنتِ طيبة | kell sine w inti ṭayyibe | to a woman |
| عيد ميلاد سعيد | ʿīd mīlād saʿīd | formal, written |
People say it to the person on the day itself and in messages. The formal عيد ميلاد سعيد (ʿīd mīlād saʿīd) is seen on cards and cakes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
A common reply is الله يخليك (aḷḷa ykhallīk), "may God keep you".
How does it change in a sentence?
To several people say كل سنة وإنتو طيبين (kell sine w intu ṭayyibīn).
Did you know?
- The same wish كل سنة وإنت طيب is used for birthdays, holidays and anniversaries, so it is the all-purpose Lebanese celebration phrase.
Examples in context
- كل سنة وإنت طيب يا أحمدkell sine w inte ṭayyeb yā AḥmadHappy birthday, Ahmad.
- عيد ميلاد سعيد يا ماماʿīd mīlād saʿīd yā mamaHappy birthday, mom.
- الله يخليكaḷḷa ykhallīkMay God keep you.
Example conversation
Ahmad arrives at his friend Lara's birthday dinner in Beirut with a cake.
- Ahmadكل سنة وإنتِ طيبة يا لاراkell sine w inti ṭayyibe yā LāraHappy birthday, Lara.
- Laraالله يخليك، شكراًaḷḷa ykhallīk, shukranMay God keep you, thanks.
- Ahmadجبتلك قالب حلوjibtillik ʾāleb ḥalwaI brought you a cake.
