Ways to say it
| Slovak |
|---|
| všetko najlepšie k narodeninám |
| všetko najlepšie |
The phrase všetko najlepšie k narodeninám is the standard and most common way to wish someone a happy birthday in Slovak. You can also use the shortened version všetko najlepšie, which functions as a way to say 'all the best'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase všetko najlepšie k narodeninám literally translates to 'everything best to [your] birthdays'. The preposition k is used with the dative plural form of narodeniny (birthday) to direct the wishes toward the specific occasion.
Which one should you use?
While všetko najlepšie means 'all the best', adding k narodeninám specifies that the wishes are specifically for a birthday.
How does it change in a sentence?
The shortened form všetko najlepšie is a common elliptical way to say 'happy birthday' by omitting the specific occasion. In the full phrase, the preposition k is paired with the dative plural form of the word for birthday.
Did you know?
- In Slovak culture, 'name days' are celebrated with similar enthusiasm to birthdays, and the phrase všetko najlepšie is the standard greeting for both.
- The word narodeniny is grammatically plural, meaning that a single birthday is treated as a collection of 'birth-days'.
- The preposition k used in the phrase všetko najlepšie k narodeninám descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *kom, which meant 'with' or 'accompanying'.
Examples in context
- Všetko najlepšie k narodeninám!Happy birthday to you!This sentence shows how to use the form všetko najlepšie to wish someone a happy birthday.Tatoeba #7425703 by felvideki, translation #64233 by shekitten
- Všetko najlepšie k narodeninám, Jana!Happy birthday, Jana!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zuzana gives a gift to Michal.
- ZuzanaVšetko najlepšie k narodeninám, Michal!Happy birthday, Michal!
- MichalĎakujem ti veľmi pekne, Zuzana.Thank you very much, Zuzana.
- ZuzanaTu je malý darček pre teba.Here is a small gift for you.
- MichalTo je veľmi milé od teba.That is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries k, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
