mein Geburtstag ist am
The German phrase for "my birthday is on" is mein Geburtstag ist am.
This phrase is used to introduce the specific date of a person's birth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word am is a contraction of an dem, which is used to indicate specific dates.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you state the date, you must use ordinal numbers. Because am triggers the dative case, the ordinal number must take the suffix -ten (for example, zweiundzwanzigsten).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use in or im when providing a date, but in German, you must use am for specific calendar days.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Germany, it is considered bad luck to wish someone Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag before their actual birth date has arrived.
- In Germany, it is customary for the person celebrating the birthday to provide the cake and treats for their colleagues at work.
- If you are celebrating a milestone, you might hear people say Geburtstagskind, a term for a 'birthday child' used for people of all ages.
Examples in context
- Mein Geburtstag ist am 22. März.My birthday is on March 22.This sentence is useful for stating your birthday using the written format of a date.Tatoeba #369201 by lilygilder, translation #251418 by CN
- Mein Geburtstag ist am zweiundzwanzigsten Januar.My birthday is on the twenty-second of January.This sentence is useful for stating your birthday by speaking the ordinal number.Tatoeba #10810670 by carlosalberto, translation #10810650 by carlosalberto
- Mein Geburtstag ist am 3. Januar 1990.My birthday is on January 3rd, 1990.
- Mein Geburtstag ist am 1. Dezember.My birthday is on December 1st.
- Mein Geburtstag ist am 26. April. Ich habe eine Party bei mir zu Hause. Komm doch vorbei!My birthday is on April 26th. I'm having a party at my place. Come over!
- Mein Geburtstag ist am zehnten Mai.My birthday is on the tenth of May.
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are talking about their birthdays.
- SarahMein Geburtstag ist am fünfzehnten August.My birthday is on August 15th.
- JulianWir haben fast den gleichen Geburtstag!We have almost the same birthday!
- SarahWann hast du Geburtstag, Julian?When is your birthday, Julian?
- JulianIch habe am sechzehnten August Geburtstag.My birthday is on August 16th.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
