joyeux anniversaire en avance
In French, happy early birthday is said as joyeux anniversaire en avance.
The phrase joyeux anniversaire en avance is the standard way to express a happy early birthday. You can also use Je vous souhaite un joyeux anniversaire en avance! to say "I wish you a happy birthday in advance!" or Permettez-moi de vous souhaiter un joyeux anniversaire en avance! to say "Allow me to wish you a happy birthday in advance!"
Which one should you use?
While joyeux anniversaire is a common way to say happy birthday, you can also use the frequent alternative bon anniversaire, which can likewise be used with en avance to mean an early birthday.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase joyeux anniversaire en avance is the standard way to express the concept of an early birthday.
Did you know?
- The term anniversaire in French is used for both birthdays and any other anniversary, such as a wedding, whereas English distinguishes 'birthday' from 'anniversary'.
- The word anniversaire comes from the Latin annus for 'year' and vertō for 'to turn', literally describing the earth turning back to the same point in its orbit.
- In some French-speaking regions, particularly in parts of Africa, one might hear different culturally specific ways to celebrate, but in France, sticking to en avance is the most common way to avoid sounding like you forgot the date.
Examples in context
- Joyeux anniversaire en avance, ma chère amie.Happy early birthday, my dear friend.
Example conversation
Lucas sees Emma at a café a few days before her birthday.
- LucasSalut Emma ! Joyeux anniversaire en avance.Hi Emma! Happy early birthday.
- EmmaOh, c'est très gentil, merci Lucas !Oh, that's very kind, thank you Lucas!
- LucasTu as prévu quelque chose de spécial ?Do you have something special planned?
- EmmaOui, je vais dîner avec ma famille.Yes, I am going to have dinner with my family.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anniversaire, avance, en, joyeux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
