Feliz primer aniversario
/feliθ pɾimeɾ anibeɾsaɾjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "happy one year anniversary" is translated into Spanish as Feliz primer aniversario.
This phrase is a greeting used to congratulate someone on completing their first year of a relationship or marriage.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Feliz (happy), primer (first) and aniversario (anniversary).
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often say "one year anniversary", the natural Spanish equivalent uses the ordinal number primer (first) rather than the cardinal number un año (one year).
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθ pɾimeɾ anibeɾsaɾjo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the first anniversary is traditionally known as Bodas de Papel or 'Paper Weddings'.
- The word aniversario comes from the Latin annus for 'year' and versus for 'turned', literally meaning the year has turned.
- Spanish lacks a single word for 'anniversary' that isn't derived from 'year', whereas English uses 'anniversary' for both yearly events and non-yearly milestones like a 'six-month anniversary'.
Examples in context
- ¡Feliz primer aniversario, amor!Happy first anniversary, love!
- Les deseo un feliz primer aniversario.I wish you both a happy one year anniversary.
- ¡Feliz primer aniversario de bodas!Happy first wedding anniversary!
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are celebrating their first year of dating at a restaurant.
- Elena¡Feliz primer aniversario, mi amor!Happy one year anniversary, my love!
- Javier¡Feliz primer aniversario, Elena! Te quiero mucho.Happy one year anniversary, Elena! I love you very much.
- ElenaGracias, Javier. Ha sido un año increíble.Thank you, Javier. It has been an incredible year.
- JavierSí, y espero que vengan muchos más.Yes, and I hope many more come.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aniversario, feliz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
