Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| عيد ميلاد سعيد | 'id milad sa'id | |
| مبروك عيد الميلاد | mbrouk 'id l-milad | |
| الله يطول عمرك | llah ytewwel 'mrek | blessing |
Moroccans also say مبروك عيد الميلاد (mbrouk 'id l-milad), 'congratulations on your birthday', and often add the blessing الله يطول عمرك (llah ytewwel 'mrek), 'may God give you a long life'. The French 'joyeux anniversaire' is common in cities.
What does it mean word for word?
عيد means 'feast', ميلاد means 'birth' and سعيد means 'happy', so عيد ميلاد سعيد is 'happy feast of birth'. مبروك means 'blessed' or 'congratulations'.
Which one should you use?
عيد ميلاد سعيد is the standard wish for anyone. مبروك عيد الميلاد sounds a little more conversational. الله يطول عمرك is a blessing you add after the wish, especially for parents and elders.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All of these are polite. With older relatives, adding الله يطول عمرك shows extra warmth and respect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
These phrases are used across Morocco. In big cities many people switch to French for birthdays, both in speech and in messages.
How does it change in a sentence?
عمرك means 'your life' and the ending ك is the same for a man and a woman. For a group, say الله يطول عمركم (llah ytewwel 'mrkom).
How do you pronounce it?
The letter ع at the start of عيد is a deep throat sound that English lacks. Learners often write it as 3: 3id milad sa3id.
What mistakes should you avoid?
عيد مبارك (eid mubarak) is for religious holidays, not birthdays. For a birthday, use عيد ميلاد سعيد or مبروك عيد الميلاد.
When do people say it?
The usual reply to a birthday wish is الله يخليك (llah ykhallik), 'may God keep you', or شكرا بزاف. Birthday cakes and the 'Happy Birthday' song have become common in Moroccan homes, especially for children.
Did you know?
- مبروك (mbrouk), the word in مبروك عيد الميلاد, is the same word Moroccans use to congratulate someone on a wedding, a new job or a new car.
- الله يطول عمرك, 'may God lengthen your life', is a blessing Moroccans use on birthdays and also to thank someone warmly.
Examples in context
- عيد ميلاد سعيد، الله يطول عمرك!'id milad sa'id, llah ytewwel 'mrek!Happy birthday, may God give you a long life!
- مبروك عيد الميلاد آ صاحبي.mbrouk 'id l-milad a sahbi.Happy birthday, my friend.
- شحال فعمرك؟shhal f 'mrek?How old are you?
Example conversation
Salma calls her cousin Mehdi on his birthday.
- Salmaعيد ميلاد سعيد!'id milad sa'id!Happy birthday!
- Mehdiالله يخليك، شكرا بزاف.llah ykhallik, shukran bzzaf.Thank you so much.
- Salmaالله يطول عمرك.llah ytewwel 'mrek.May God give you a long life.
- Mehdiآمين، وعمرك حتى انتي.amin, w 'mrek hta nti.Amen, and yours too.
