Which one should you use?
Use il tuo compleanno when speaking to one person you know well. If you are addressing more than one person, such as a group sharing a birthday, use il vostro compleanno. For a single person in a formal setting, use il Suo compleanno.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people (plural), the phrase changes to il vostro compleanno.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 6 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
To wish someone a happy birthday, you can say Buon compleanno! A more elaborate way to say "Many wishes for your birthday!" is Tanti auguri di buon compleanno! In an informal setting, you can use Auguroni di buon compleanno! to mean "Big congratulations for your birthday!" When singing the Italian version of the "Happy Birthday to You" song, the lyrics are Tanti auguri a te!
Did you know?
- The word auguri used in birthday wishes literally means 'omens' or 'prophecies' from the ancient Roman practice of augury.
- The word compleanno is actually a linguistic mimic of the Spanish word cumpleaños, having been adapted to fit the Italian word for 'year', which is anno.
- While English uses the word 'birth' to form 'birthday', the Italian word compleanno is likely related to the verb compiere, meaning 'to complete' or 'to fulfill'.
Examples in context
- Oggi è il tuo compleanno?Is today your birthday?This sentence is useful for asking if today is il tuo compleanno.Tatoeba #3636573 by Guybrush88, translation #3636509 by CK
- Oggi è il tuo compleanno.Today is your birthday.This sentence is useful for stating that today is il tuo compleanno.Tatoeba #4895259 by Guybrush88, translation #464264 by lukaszpp
- Quand'è il tuo compleanno?When is your birthday?This sentence is useful for asking when il tuo compleanno occurs.Tatoeba #374039 by Pharamp, translation #16997 by CK
- Buon compleanno! Spero che tu passi una giornata fantastica.Happy birthday! I hope you have a fantastic day.
- Auguroni di buon compleanno! Che la vita ti sorrida sempre.Big congratulations for your birthday! May life always smile upon you.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are talking about party plans.
- LorenzoDevo fare una sorpresa per il tuo compleanno.I must make a surprise for your birthday.
- SofiaGrazie, Lorenzo, sei molto gentile!Thank you, Lorenzo, you are very kind!
- LorenzoVuoi festeggiare il tuo compleanno al ristorante?Do you want to celebrate your birthday at a restaurant?
- SofiaSì, mi piacerebbe molto!Yes, I would like that very much!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (il, tuo, compleanno) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compleanno, il, tuo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
