feliz cumpleaños atrasado
/feliθ kumpleaɲos atɾasado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "happy late birthday" is translated into Spanish as feliz cumpleaños atrasado.
This phrase is a greeting used to wish someone a happy birthday after the actual date has passed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word atrasado literally means delayed or late.
Which one should you use?
feliz cumpleaños atrasado has a synonymous alternative in the phrase feliz cumpleaños tardío.
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθ kumpleaɲos atɾasado/
Did you know?
- The word cumple inside cumpleaños comes from the verb cumplir, which is also used to describe when someone 'fulfills' a sentence in prison or 'completes' a legal requirement.
- The term atrasado can sometimes carry a social connotation of being 'backward' or 'underdeveloped' when applied to people or ideas, though it remains perfectly standard for describing a delayed date.
- While feliz cumpleaños atrasado is grammatically correct, many Spanish speakers prefer to say felicidades atrasadas to express the same sentiment. This shifts the focus from the 'birthday' itself to the 'congratulations' or 'felicitations'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe la tardanza en mi mensaje, quería desearle un feliz cumpleaños. Espero que haya tenido un día especial y que el próximo año le traiga mucha felicidad.Sorry for the delay in my message, I wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I hope you had a special day, and may the upcoming year bring you much happiness.
- Le deseo un feliz cumpleaños atrasado. Lamentablemente, no pude felicitarlo en su día, pero quiero que sepa que le deseo lo mejor en este nuevo año de vida.I wish you a belated happy birthday. Unfortunately, I couldn't congratulate you on your day, but I want you to know that I wish you the best in this new year of life.
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños atrasado! Siento mucho no haberte felicitado a tiempo, pero espero que hayas tenido un día increíble rodeado de las personas que amas.Belated happy birthday! I'm really sorry for not congratulating you on time, but I hope you had an amazing day surrounded by the people you love.
- Lamento el retraso, ¡feliz cumple! Espero que te hayas divertido mucho y que este nuevo año esté lleno de bendiciones y alegría.Sorry for the delay, happy bday! I hope you had a lot of fun, and may this new year be filled with blessings and joy.
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños atrasado, amiga!Happy late birthday, friend!
- Siento la demora, ¡feliz cumpleaños atrasado!Sorry for the delay, happy late birthday!
- Te deseo un feliz cumpleaños atrasado.I wish you a happy late birthday.
Example conversation
Alejandro sees Elena at a coffee shop a few days after her birthday.
- Alejandro¡Hola Elena! ¡Feliz cumpleaños atrasado!Hi Elena! Happy late birthday!
- Elena¡Gracias, Alejandro! Qué amable eres.Thanks, Alejandro! That's very kind of you.
- Alejandro¿Pasaste un buen día?Did you have a good day?
- ElenaSí, fue un día muy especial.Yes, it was a very special day.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
