عيد ميلاد سعيد لك
eid milad sa'id lak
The English phrase 'happy birthday to you' is translated into Arabic as عيد ميلاد سعيد لك (eid milad sa'id lak).
This phrase is a common greeting used to wish someone a pleasant day on their birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase عيد ميلاد سعيد لك literally translates to 'feast of birth happy to you'.
Which one should you use?
You can omit the final particle to simply say عيد ميلاد سعيد, which means 'Happy Birthday'. While عيد ميلاد سعيد لك is a direct translation, the phrase كل عام وأنت بخير (meaning 'May you be well every year') is a much more common and natural way to offer birthday greetings in Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The final particle of the phrase changes depending on whom you are addressing: use عيد ميلاد سعيد لكِ to address a female and عيد ميلاد سعيد لكم to address a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
eid milad sa'id lak
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, it is common for the person celebrating the birthday to be the one who provides treats or gifts for others, rather than only receiving them.
- The word عيد refers to a 'festival' or 'celebration' and is the root for the two most important Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, instead of just saying 'happy birthday', people often sing a modified version of the 'Happy Birthday to You' melody, but use the Arabic lyrics to match the rhythm.
Example conversation
Layla is giving a gift to Omar for his birthday.
- ليلى Laylaعيد ميلاد سعيد لك يا عمر!Eid milad sa'id laka ya Omar!Happy birthday to you, Omar!
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً يا ليلى.Shukran jazilan ya Layla.Thank you very much, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaهذه هدية بسيطة من أجلك.Hadhihi hadiyya basita min ajlika.This is a simple gift for you.
- عمر Omarأنتِ لطيفة جداً، شكراً لكِ.Anti latifa jiddan, shukran laki.You are very kind, thank you.
