Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| с днём рожде́ния | s dnjom roždénija |
| поздравля́ю с днём рожде́ния | pozdravljáju s dnjom roždénija |
The phrase с днём рожде́ния is used to offer good wishes for someone's birthday. It is important to note that this phrase is specifically for birthdays and should not be used for the religious holiday Christmas, which is с Рожде́ством.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase с днём рожде́ния literally translates to "with the day of birth".
Which one should you use?
с днём рожде́ния is a short greeting, whereas поздравля́ю с днём рожде́ния is a full sentence meaning "I congratulate [you] on your birthday".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
поздравля́ю с днём рожде́ния is more formal and complete than the short с днём рожде́ния.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase с днём рожде́ния, the word днём is the instrumental case of день (day), which is used following the preposition с (with).
How do you pronounce it?
s dnjom roždénija
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, it is considered bad luck to congratulate someone on their birthday before the actual day arrives. It is better to wait until the day itself to say с днём рожде́ния.
- The word рожде́ния shares a root with the word for 'Christmas', which is Рожде́ство, because both relate to the concept of 'being born'.
- Russians may avoid using the word поздравля́ю in very casual settings with close friends, preferring the shorter с днём рожде́ния to avoid sounding like a formal official.
Examples in context
- С днём рожде́ния, дорогая подруга!S dnyom rozhden'ya, dorogaya podruga!Happy birthday, dear friend!
- Я поздравляю тебя с днём рожде́ния.Ya pozdravlyayu tebya s dnyom rozhden'ya.I congratulate you on your birthday.
- С днём рожде́ния, мой лучший друг!S dnyom rozhden'ya, moy luchshiy drug!Happy birthday, my best friend!
Example conversation
Olga visits Alexander at his home to celebrate his birthday.
- Ольга OlgaАлександр, с днём рожде́ния!Aleksandr, s dnyom rozhden'ya!Alexander, happy birthday!
- Александр AleksandrСпасибо большое, Ольга!Spasibo bol'shoye, Ol'ga!Thank you very much, Olga!
- Ольга OlgaЯ принесла тебе подарок.Ya prenesla tebe podarok.I brought you a gift.
- Александр AleksandrТы очень добрая.Ty ochen' dobraya.You are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
