feliz cumpleaños mamá
/feliθ kumpleaɲos mama/from spelling rules
The English phrase "happy birthday mum" is translated into Spanish as feliz cumpleaños mamá.
This phrase is a greeting used to wish one's mother a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of feliz (happy), cumpleaños (birthday) and mamá (mum).
Which one should you use?
For example, using mami or mamita adds a more affectionate or diminutive tone, while using madre shifts the tone toward a more formal register.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for birthday, cumpleaños, is a compound noun that is always used in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθ kumpleaɲos mama/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, it is traditional to shout ¡mordida! after singing, encouraging the birthday person to take a bite of the cake without using their hands.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of just saying 'happy birthday', people often sing 'Las Mañanitas' to the person celebrating, which is a traditional folk song distinct from the standard birthday tune.
- The word cumpleaños literally translates to 'fulfills years', implying that one is not just celebrating a date, but the completion of a cycle of life.
Examples in context
- Feliz cumpleaños, mamá. Recuerdo con alegría los momentos en que me cantabas canciones de cuna y me cuidabas con todo tu amor. Eres la mejor madre del mundo y te deseo un día lleno de felicidad y amor.Happy birthday, mom. I fondly remember the moments when you used to sing me lullabies and take care of me with all your love. You are the best mother in the world, and I wish you a day filled with happiness and love.
Example conversation
Alejandro gives a card to his mother, Lucía.
- Alejandro¡Feliz cumpleaños mamá!Happy birthday mum!
- LucíaMuchas gracias, hijo.Thank you very much, son.
- AlejandroEspero que te guste el regalo.I hope you like the gift.
- LucíaEres muy amable, Alejandro.You are very kind, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cumpleaños, feliz, mamá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
