quand'è il tuo compleanno
The English phrase "when your birthday is" is translated into Italian as quand'è il tuo compleanno.
This phrase is used to ask someone for the date of their birth. To state that someone's birthday falls on a specific date, you can use the structure Il suo compleanno è il [day] [month]. Note that in Italian, months are not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence. If you wish to mention the year of birth, you can say Sono nato/nata nel [year].
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quand'è il tuo compleanno is composed of quando (when), è (is), il tuo (your) and compleanno (birthday).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the phrase based on who you are addressing. To use the formal "you", replace il tuo with il suo to get quando è il suo compleanno. If you are asking a group of people when their birthday is, use the plural form il vostro to say quando è il vostro compleanno.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the literal translation quando è il tuo giorno di nascita to ask about a birthday. Instead, use the word compleanno, which is the standard and natural way to refer to a birthday in Italian.
Did you know?
- When celebrating a birthday, Italians often use the phrase Tanti auguri which literally means 'Many wishes' rather than 'Happy Birthday'.
- The word compleanno is a partial calque of the Spanish word cumpleaños, adapted to fit the Italian word for 'year' anno and the verb compiere meaning 'to complete'.
Examples in context
- Il mio compleanno è il 10 settembre.My birthday is on the 10th of September.
- Non so quand'è il tuo compleanno.I don't know when your birthday is.
- Dimmi quand'è il tuo compleanno!Tell me when your birthday is!
- Vorrei sapere quand'è il tuo compleanno.I would like to know when your birthday is.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about planning a party.
- GiuliaScusa, ma quand'è il tuo compleanno?Excuse me, but when is your birthday?
- LorenzoIl mio compleanno è il dieci maggio.My birthday is on May tenth.
- GiuliaPerfetto, così possiamo organizzare qualcosa per te.Perfect, so we can organize something for you.
- LorenzoGrazie mille, Giulia!Thanks a lot, Giulia!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compleanno, il, tuo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
