我的生日是
wǒ de shēngrì shì
The phrase 'my birthday is' in Chinese is 我的生日是 (wǒ de shēngrì shì).
This phrase is used to introduce the date on which a person was born. For example, you might use it when discussing your birthday or planning a 派对 (party).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 我的生日是 is composed of 我的 (my), 生日 (birthday) and 是 (is).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, dates are expressed in the order of year, month and then day. When using this phrase, the date follows the verb 是 directly.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ de shēngrì shì
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the preposition 'on' (在) before the date when using this phrase. In Chinese, you do not need a preposition. The date follows the verb 是 directly.
Did you know?
- When celebrating a birthday, the 'long-life noodles' 长寿面 (chángshòu miàn) are eaten, and it is considered bad luck to cut the noodle.
- In China, the most traditional 'birthday' is not the day you were born, but your lunar birthday, which changes date on the Gregorian calendar every year.
- In some Chinese cultures, the 60th birthday is a massive milestone because it marks the completion of one full cycle of the traditional sexagenary calendar.
Examples in context
- 我的生日是十月二十號。My birthday is October twentieth.This sentence is useful for seeing how to state a specific date using 我的生日是.Tatoeba #13222152 by atitarev, translation #8382797 by CK
- 我的生日是明天，请你记得来。My birthday is tomorrow, remember to come.
- 我的生日是五月一號。Wǒ de shēngrì shì wǔ yuè yī hào.My birthday is May 1st.
- 你知道我的生日是哪天嗎？Nǐ zhīdào wǒ de shēngrì shì nǎ tiān ma?Do you know when my birthday is?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their upcoming celebrations.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你的生日快到了嗎？Nǐ de shēngrì kuài dào le ma?Is your birthday coming up soon?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，我的生日是十二月十二號。Shì de, wǒ de shēngrì shì shí'èr yuè shí'èr hào.Yes, my birthday is December 12th.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我們那天一起吃飯吧！Nà wǒmen nèitiān yīqǐ chīfàn ba!Then let's eat together on that day!
- 俊杰 Junjie好主意，謝謝妳。Hǎo zhǔyì, xièxiè nǐ.Good idea, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
