生日快乐歌
shēngrì kuàilè gē
The English phrase "happy birthday song" is translated into Chinese as 生日快乐歌 (shēngrì kuàilè gē).
生日快乐歌 refers to the name of the traditional song sung to celebrate a person's birthday. However, when actually singing the melody, people typically use the phrase 祝你生日快乐 instead of the song's title.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 生日快乐歌 is composed of 生日 (birthday), 快乐 (happy) and 歌 (song).
Which one should you use?
While 生日快乐歌 is the title of the song, the lyrics sung during the melody are 祝你生日快乐.
How do you pronounce it?
shēngrì kuàilè gē
Did you know?
- When celebrating birthdays, it is common to eat 长寿面, or 'longevity noodles', which are long uncut strands symbolizing a long life.
- When singing to an elder, a person might change the pronoun 你 (nǐ) to the respectful 您 (nín) to show proper etiquette.
- While 生日快乐 is the standard wish, some regions use 生日大吉, which wishes the person 'great luck' rather than just 'happiness'.
Examples in context
- 我们会唱生日快乐歌。Wǒmen huì chàng shēngrì kuàilè gē.We will sing the happy birthday song.
- 你会唱生日快乐歌吗？Nǐ huì chàng shēngrì kuàilè gē ma?Do you know how to sing the happy birthday song?
- 请大家一起唱生日快乐歌。Qǐng dàjiā yìqǐ chàng shēngrì kuàilè gē.Please everyone sing the happy birthday song together.
Example conversation
Yuting and Junjie are preparing a surprise party for a friend.
- 雨婷 Yuting俊杰，蛋糕准备好了吗？Jùnjié, dàngāo zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?Junjie, is the cake ready?
- 俊杰 Junjie准备好了，快进来吧。Zhǔnbèi hǎo le, kuài jìnlái ba.It's ready, come in quickly.
- 雨婷 Yuting我们要唱生日快乐歌吗？Wǒmen yào chàng shēngrì kuàilè gē ma?Are we going to sing the happy birthday song?
- 俊杰 Junjie对，大家一起唱。Duì, dàjiā yìqǐ chàng.Yes, everyone sing together.
