Which one should you use?
While dein Geburtstag is the standard form, you should use Ihr Geburtstag when addressing an adult you do not know well or when in a professional setting. If you are addressing a group of people about a shared birthday, such as twins, use euer Geburtstag.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes to deines Geburtstages when used in the genitive case to show possession or relation.
How do you pronounce it?
/daɪ̯n ɡəˈbuːɐ̯tsˌtaːk/
When do people say it?
When someone has a birthday, the most common way to say "Happy Birthday!" is Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! In professional settings, a formal phrase you can use is Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Another common way to offer well wishes is Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag und alles Liebe!, which means "Congratulations on your birthday and all the best!"
Did you know?
- In many German-speaking cultures, it is considered bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before their actual day. Even if you see them early, wait until the date to say Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
- In some German regions, it is customary for the person celebrating their Geburtstag to provide the cake and treats for their colleagues at work.
- Germans may use the term GeburtstagsKind to refer to the 'birthday child', regardless of whether the person is actually a child or an adult.
Examples in context
- Wie war dein Geburtstag?How was your birthday?This sentence is useful for asking how someone's birthday was using dein Geburtstag.Tatoeba #7277145 by Yorwba, translation #276750 by Eldad
- Bald ist dein Geburtstag.Your birthday is coming soon.This sentence is useful for stating that dein Geburtstag is approaching using dein Geburtstag.Tatoeba #1811977 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1415912 by CK
- Wann ist dein Geburtstag?When is your birthday?This sentence is useful for asking the date of dein Geburtstag using dein Geburtstag.Tatoeba #2349640 by Espi, translation #16997 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are talking about upcoming plans.
- JuliaWas wünschst du dir zu deinem Geburtstag?What do you want for your birthday?
- MaximilianIch weiß es noch nicht genau, Julia.I don't know exactly yet, Julia.
- JuliaIch möchte dein Geburtstag schön machen.I want to make your birthday nice.
- MaximilianDas ist sehr lieb von dir, Julia.That is very sweet of you, Julia.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dein, Geburtstag) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
