Germans love celebrating birthdays, and if you want to join in the festivities, it’s essential to know how to express the date of your special day. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “My birthday is on” in German. We’ll also touch on regional variations when necessary, providing you with plenty of useful tips and examples to help you on your way to mastering this phrase.
Table of Contents
The Formal Way:
When addressing individuals in a formal context, such as speaking with older people, authorities, or colleagues, it’s important to use the correct etiquette. Here’s how you can say “My birthday is on” formally:
1. Mein Geburtstag ist am
Use this phrase when stating the exact date of your birthday:
Mein Geburtstag ist am 15. August.
Translation: My birthday is on August 15th.
2. Ich habe am
Another formal way to express your birthday is by using the phrase “Ich habe am,” followed by the date:
Ich habe am 22. März Geburtstag.
Translation: I have my birthday on March 22nd.
The Informal Way:
When speaking with friends, family, or peers in a casual setting, you can use a more relaxed tone. Here are the informal ways to say “My birthday is on” in German:
1. Mein Geburtstag ist am
Similar to the formal way, you can say “Mein Geburtstag ist am” followed by the date:
Mein Geburtstag ist am 6. Juni.
Translation: My birthday is on June 6th.
2. Ich habe am
In an informal context, you can also use “Ich habe am” followed by the date:
Ich habe am 17. November Geburtstag.
Translation: I have my birthday on November 17th.
Tips and Examples:
Here are some additional tips and examples to enhance your understanding of expressing your birthday:
1. Including the Year
If you want to specify the year of your birthday, you can simply add it after the date:
Mein Geburtstag ist am 3. Januar 1990.
Translation: My birthday is on January 3rd, 1990.
2. Using Months in German
When mentioning the months in German, mind that they are written in lowercase:
Ich habe am 25. juli Geburtstag.
Translation: I have my birthday on July 25th.
3. Counting the Days
When counting the days, use ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) in German:
Mein Geburtstag ist am 1. Dezember.
Translation: My birthday is on December 1st.
4. Adding Invitations and Greetings
When inviting people to your birthday celebration, you can include extra phrases like “Komm doch vorbei!” (Come over!) or “Ich würde mich freuen, wenn du kommst.” (I’d be glad if you come.):
Mein Geburtstag ist am 26. April. Ich habe eine Party bei mir zu Hause. Komm doch vorbei!
Translation: My birthday is on April 26th. I’m having a party at my place. Come over!
5. Talking about Age
If you wish to mention your age in German, use the phrase “Ich werde [age] Jahre alt,” meaning “I will be [age] years old”:
Ich werde 30 Jahre alt am 12. März.
Translation: I will be 30 years old on March 12th.
Remember, birthdays are a time for celebration and joy. Using the proper German phrases to discuss your special day will undoubtedly add to the warm and festive atmosphere. So go ahead and practice these expressions, inviting your German-speaking friends to join in on the fun, and immerse yourself in the rich birthday culture of Germany!
