Birthdays are special occasions celebrated around the world, and what better way to make someone feel loved and appreciated on their special day than by wishing them a happy birthday in their native language? In this guide, we will explore how to say happy birthday in various languages, including both formal and informal ways to express this joyful greeting. So, let’s dive in and discover how to spread birthday cheer to friends and loved ones worldwide!
Table of Contents
1. English
The English language provides us with several ways to wish someone a happy birthday. The most common and straightforward phrase is:
“Happy Birthday!”
This simple expression can be used in both formal and informal settings, making it versatile and widely understood.
2. Spanish
If you want to wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish, you can use the following phrases:
- Formal: “Feliz cumpleaños”. This is a widely recognized expression and is suitable for most situations.
- Informal: “¡Feliz cumple!”. This abbreviated form is commonly used among friends and family members.
A warm and affectionate way to wish someone a happy birthday is:
“Que cumplas muchos más” (May you have many more birthdays.)
3. French
In French, the way to say happy birthday is:
- Formal and Informal: “Joyeux anniversaire!”
This widely recognized phrase is appropriate for all situations and can be used when addressing both individuals and groups.
4. German
If you’re looking for the German birthday greeting, here are a few options:
- Formal: “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag”.
- Informal: “Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag”.
- Informal: “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag”.
While both formal and informal options are commonly used, the last phrase is more frequently heard in everyday conversations.
5. Italian
When wishing someone a happy birthday in Italian, you can use the following phrases:
- Formal and Informal: “Buon compleanno!”
It is customary in Italy to celebrate birthdays with loved ones, so this expression can be used in both formal and informal settings.
6. Portuguese
To say happy birthday in Portuguese, you can use the following phrase:
- Formal and Informal: “Feliz aniversário!”
This expression is widely used and appropriate for all situations.
7. Dutch
If you’re curious about the Dutch birthday greeting, you can use the phrase:
- Formal and Informal: “Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!”
This expression can be used in both formal and informal situations and is widely understood in the Netherlands.
8. Russian
When celebrating a birthday in Russia, you can use the following expressions:
- Formal and Informal: “С днем рождения!” (S dnyom rozhdeniya!)
Russians celebrate birthdays with great enthusiasm, and this expression fits well in both formal and informal settings.
9. Mandarin Chinese
For those looking to wish someone a happy birthday in Mandarin Chinese, you can use the following phrase:
- Formal and Informal: “生日快乐!” (Shēngrì kuàilè!)
This is the most commonly used expression and can be utilized for any birthday celebration.
10. Japanese
In Japanese, you can express birthday wishes using the following phrase:
- Formal and Informal: “お誕生日おめでとうございます!” (O tanjōbi omedetō gozaimasu!)
Japanese birthday greetings tend to be polite and respectful, making this phrase suitable for all situations.
Conclusion
Celebrating birthdays is a universal tradition, and learning how to say happy birthday in different languages allows us to extend our warm wishes to friends, family, and colleagues around the world. In this guide, we explored birthday greetings in various languages, providing both formal and informal options wherever possible. Remember, the simple act of acknowledging someone’s special day can brighten their spirits and create lasting memories. So, whether you’re celebrating in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, or any other language, may your birthday greetings spread joy and happiness to everyone you encounter!
