What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'may your birthday be blessed' or 'may your birthday be auspicious'.
Which one should you use?
While doğum günün kutlu olsun is the standard way to wish someone a happy birthday, you may also hear the shorter alternative mutlu yıllar, which means 'happy years' and is often used interchangeably with birthday wishes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase doğum günün kutlu olsun uses the second-person singular possessive suffix '-n' on gün (day), making it 'your day'. To make the phrase formal or plural, change günün to gününüz.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /doːum ɟynyn kutlu olsun/. For specific sounds: /u/ is like the [oo] in 'cool', /m/ is like the [m] in 'much', /ɟ/ is like the [g] in 'argue', /n/ is like the [n] in 'not', /k/ is like the [c] in 'core' and /s/ is like the [s] in 'send'.
Did you know?
- The root of kutlu is kut, an ancient Turkic concept representing a divine blessing or sacred life force that granted leaders the right to rule.
- In Turkey, it is a common tradition to celebrate a birthday by bringing a cake to the office or classroom and expecting the birthday person to provide the treat for everyone.
- The phrase İyi ki doğdun translates to 'It is good that you were born', which focuses on the existence of the person rather than the day itself.
Examples in context
- Doğum günün kutlu olsun.Happy birthday to you.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase doğum günün kutlu olsun.Tatoeba #7827306 by soliloquist, translation #10117415 by espamatics
- Doğum günün kutlu olsun! Doğum günün kutlu olsun! Mutlu yıllar, sevgili Mary! Doğum günün kutlu olsun!Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Mary! Happy birthday to you!This sentence shows how to use doğum günün kutlu olsun alongside the shorter alternative mutlu yıllar.Tatoeba #4488663 by duran, translation #4488304 by gleki
- Sevgili Ayşe, doğum günün kutlu olsun!Dear Ayşe, happy birthday!
- Harika bir arkadaş olduğun için doğum günün kutlu olsun!Happy birthday, because you are an amazing friend!
Example conversation
Elif surprises Mehmet with a cake in the kitchen.
- ElifSürpriz! Doğum günün kutlu olsun, Mehmet!Surprise! Happy birthday to you, Mehmet!
- MehmetÇok teşekkür ederim, Elif!Thank you very much, Elif!
- ElifPasta gerçekten çok güzel görünüyor.The cake looks really beautiful.
- MehmetHadi hemen yiyelim!Let's eat it right away!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry doğum günün kutlu olsun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doğum, kutlu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
