Ways to say it
| Swedish |
|---|
| grattis på födelsedagen |
| har den äran |
| har den äran på födelsedagen |
| gratulerar på födelsedagen |
| grattis på bemärkelsedagen |
| hjärtliga gratulationer på bemärkelsedagen |
| gratulerar med dagen |
The phrases in this entry are used to offer good wishes for a birthday. The word grattis can also be used on its own to mean 'congratulations' for any achievement, not just birthdays. If you want to tell someone to have a fantastic birthday, you can say Ha en fantastisk födelsedag.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase grattis på födelsedagen literally translates to 'congratulations on the birthday'.
Which one should you use?
The most common and everyday way to say happy birthday is grattis på födelsedagen. In contrast, gratulerar på födelsedagen is a more formal version. You may also encounter gratulerar med dagen.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Grattis på födelsedagen is the most common, everyday way to express birthday wishes. Hjärtliga gratulationer på bemärkelsedagen is a highly formal and elaborate way to offer wishes, which is often used in written cards. The phrase grattis på bemärkelsedagen is also available, and hjärtliga gratulationer på bemärkelsedagen translates to 'heartfelt congratulations on the day of significance'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To wish someone a happy birthday as a verb, you can use gratulera på födelsedagen.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying glad födelsedag. It is not a natural way to wish someone a happy birthday in Swedish.
Did you know?
- The phrase har den äran literally means 'I have the honour'. It is a condensed version of a longer sentence acknowledging the privilege of celebrating someone's birthday.
- Swedish culture emphasizes 'fika', a coffee and cake break. A birthday celebration often centers around a fika where grattis på födelsedagen is exchanged.
- While födelsedag means 'birthday', the more formal bemärkelsedag refers to a 'day of significance'. This can be used for birthdays or other major anniversary milestones.
Examples in context
- Grattis på födelsedagen, farfar.Happy birthday, Grandpa.This sentence shows how to address a grandfather with grattis på födelsedagen.Tatoeba #12097057 by johanrhg, translation #2650908 by meerkat
- Grattis på födelsedagen!Happy birthday to you!Tatoeba #525792 by sashamurr, translation #64233 by shekitten
- Grattis på födelsedagen.I wish you a happy birthday.Tatoeba #2456833 by Ricardo14, translation #897532 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Linnea and Oscar meet at a small cafe for a birthday celebration.
- LinneaGrattis på födelsedagen, Oscar!Happy birthday, Oscar!
- OscarTack så mycket, Linnea.Thank you so much, Linnea.
- LinneaHar du fått några presenter?Have you received any presents?
- OscarJa, jag har fått massor.Yes, I have received a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations and entries grattis på födelsedagen, har den äran, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries den, grattis, har den äran, på, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
