Saying Happy Birthday in another language makes birthday wishes feel more personal, thoughtful, and memorable. Around the world, people share birthday greetings through unique traditions that reflect their culture. Learning a new phrase also helps you communicate with an international friend in their native language. Plus, using familiar words can show respect and help people connect across cultures.
In this guide, you will discover how people say Happy Birthday worldwide. We cover European languages, Asian languages, African languages, and Middle Eastern languages. Each translation includes pronunciation help, making it easier for English speakers to speak naturally. You can also use these phrases in a birthday card, text message, or multilingual social media post.
Interesting Facts About “Happy Birthday”
- 🎂 The phrase “Happy Birthday” is one of the most widely recognized social expressions around the world.
- 🌎 Birthday traditions differ greatly between countries, even when the basic celebration is similar.
- 🗣️ Some languages use a direct translation of “Happy Birthday,” while others use expressions closer to “Congratulations on your birthday.”
- ❤️ Saying a birthday wish in someone’s first language can make the message feel more personal and meaningful.
- 🎉 In many cultures, birthday wishes commonly include hopes for health, happiness, prosperity, and a long life.
- 🎁 Birthday celebrations can include cakes, candles, gifts, special meals, songs, flowers, or family gatherings.
- 🎵 The traditional “Happy Birthday” song has been translated or adapted into many languages.
- 👨👩👧👦 In several cultures, birthdays are especially important for children and milestone ages.
- 🌐 Learning birthday greetings is a simple way to begin learning another language because the phrases are short and useful.
- 💬 Some languages have formal and informal ways to address people, so the appropriate greeting can depend on your relationship with the birthday person.
- ✨ A birthday greeting does not need to be long to be meaningful. Even a few words in someone’s native language can show thoughtfulness.
European Languages
Europe is home to hundreds of languages and dialects, including widely spoken languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian. Birthday traditions vary across European cultures, but warm wishes for happiness, health, and a successful year are common.
The expressions below include both major European languages and several regional languages. Some phrases have more than one natural version, so the examples focus on commonly understandable everyday usage.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Synonyms | Example sentence |
| 🇺🇸 American English | United States | Happy Birthday! | HAP-ee BURTH-day | Many happy returns! | Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day. |
| 🇬🇧 British English | United Kingdom | Happy Birthday! | HAP-ee BURTH-day | Many happy returns! | Happy Birthday! Have a brilliant day. |
| 🇦🇺 Australian English | Australia | Happy Birthday! | HAP-ee BURTH-day | Have a great birthday! | Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fantastic day. |
| 🇪🇸 Spanish | Spain, Latin America | ¡Feliz cumpleaños! | feh-LEES koom-pleh-AHN-yos | ¡Felicidades! | ¡Feliz cumpleaños! Espero que tengas un día maravilloso. |
| 🇫🇷 French | France, Belgium, Canada | Joyeux anniversaire ! | zhwah-YUH ah-nee-ver-SAIR | Bon anniversaire ! | Joyeux anniversaire ! Je te souhaite beaucoup de bonheur. |
| 🇩🇪 German | Germany, Austria | Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! | AH-less GOO-teh tsoom geh-BOORTS-tahk | Herzlichen Glückwunsch! | Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag. |
| 🇮🇹 Italian | Italy | Buon compleanno! | bwohn kom-pleh-AHN-noh | Tanti auguri! | Buon compleanno! Ti auguro tanta felicità. |
| 🇵🇹 Portuguese | Portugal, Brazil | Feliz aniversário! | feh-LEEZ ah-nee-ver-SAH-ree-oh | Parabéns! | Feliz aniversário! Espero que tenhas um dia maravilhoso. |
| 🇳🇱 Dutch | Netherlands, Belgium | Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! | khuh-feh-lee-see-TAIRT met yuh fur-YAHR-dahkh | Van harte gefeliciteerd! | Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! Ik wens je veel geluk. |
| 🇸🇪 Swedish | Sweden | Grattis på födelsedagen! | GRAHT-tis poh FUH-del-say-dah-gen | Grattis! | Grattis på födelsedagen! Hoppas du får en fin dag. |
| 🇳🇴 Norwegian | Norway | Gratulerer med dagen! | grah-too-LEHR-er meh DAH-gen | Gratulerer! | Gratulerer med dagen! Jeg håper du får en flott dag. |
| 🇩🇰 Danish | Denmark | Tillykke med fødselsdagen! | tee-LUH-keh meh FUHT-sels-dah-en | Tillykke! | Tillykke med fødselsdagen! Jeg håber, du får en dejlig dag. |
| 🇫🇮 Finnish | Finland | Hyvää syntymäpäivää! | HOO-vah SUHN-too-mah-pie-vah | Paljon onnea! | Hyvää syntymäpäivää! Toivotan sinulle paljon onnea. |
| 🇮🇸 Icelandic | Iceland | Til hamingju með afmælið! | til HA-ming-yoo meth AV-my-lith | Hamingju með daginn! | Til hamingju með afmælið! |
| 🇮🇪 Irish | Ireland | Lá breithe shona duit! | law BREH-huh HUN-ah ditch | Breithlá sona! | Lá breithe shona duit! Tá súil agam go mbeidh lá iontach agat. |
| 🏴 Welsh | Wales | Pen-blwydd hapus! | pen-bloo-ith HAP-is | Pen-blwydd llawen! | Pen-blwydd hapus! Gobeithio y cewch ddiwrnod gwych. |
| 🇵🇱 Polish | Poland | Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin! | fshist-KYEH-go ny-lyep-SHEH-go | Sto lat! | Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin! |
| 🇨🇿 Czech | Czech Republic | Všechno nejlepší k narozeninám! | FSHET-koh NYEHP-leh-shee | Všechno nejlepší! | Všechno nejlepší k narozeninám! |
| 🇸🇰 Slovak | Slovakia | Všetko najlepšie k narodeninám! | FSHET-koh NYE-lyep-shee | Všetko najlepšie! | Všetko najlepšie k narodeninám! |
| 🇭🇺 Hungarian | Hungary | Boldog születésnapot! | BOL-dog SUH-leh-taysh-nah-pot | Sok boldogságot! | Boldog születésnapot! Sok boldogságot kívánok. |
| 🇷🇴 Romanian | Romania, Moldova | La mulți ani! | lah MOOLTS an | Mulți ani fericiți! | La mulți ani! Îți doresc multă fericire. |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgarian | Bulgaria | Честит рожден ден! | CHEH-stit ROZH-den den | Честит празник! | Честит рожден ден! Пожелавам ти много щастие. |
| 🇺🇦 Ukrainian | Ukraine | З днем народження! | z DNYEM nah-ROHD-zhen-nya | Вітаю! | З днем народження! Бажаю тобі щастя. |
| 🇷🇺 Russian | Russia | С днём рождения! | s DNYOM rozh-DEH-nee-ya | Поздравляю! | С днём рождения! Желаю тебе счастья и здоровья. |
| 🇬🇷 Greek | Greece, Cyprus | Χρόνια πολλά! | KHRON-ya po-LA | Να τα εκατοστήσεις! | Χρόνια πολλά! Να έχεις μια υπέροχη μέρα. |
| 🇹🇷 Turkish | Turkey, Cyprus | Doğum günün kutlu olsun! | doh-OOM goo-NOON KOOT-loo ol-SOON | İyi ki doğdun! | Doğum günün kutlu olsun! Sana mutluluk diliyorum. |
| 🇭🇷 Croatian | Croatia | Sretan rođendan! | SREH-tan ROZH-en-dan | Sve najbolje! | Sretan rođendan! Želim ti puno sreće. |
| 🇷🇸 Serbian | Serbia | Srećan rođendan! | SREH-chan ROZH-en-dan | Sve najbolje! | Srećan rođendan! Želim ti puno sreće. |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenian | Slovenia | Vse najboljše za rojstni dan! | vseh nahy-BOL-sheh | Vse najboljše! | Vse najboljše za rojstni dan! |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuanian | Lithuania | Su gimtadieniu! | soo gim-tah-DYEH-noo | Sveikinu! | Su gimtadieniu! Linkiu tau daug laimės. |
| 🇱🇻 Latvian | Latvia | Daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā! | dowdz LIE-mes dzim-shah-nas DYEH-nah | Daudz laimes! | Daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā! |
| 🇪🇪 Estonian | Estonia | Palju õnne sünnipäevaks! | PAL-yoo UH-neh SUHN-nih-pie-vaks | Palju õnne! | Palju õnne sünnipäevaks! |
The European examples show an interesting pattern. Southern European languages often have expressions involving happiness or good wishes, while languages in Central and Eastern Europe may use phrases that literally convey good wishes or congratulations. In Romania, for example, “La mulți ani!” means roughly “To many years!” and is also used for other celebrations.
Also read: How to Say “What Are You Doing?” in Different Languages
Asian Languages
Asia contains thousands of languages and some of the world’s oldest literary traditions. Birthday greetings can differ significantly between East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.
In many Asian cultures, birthday wishes may emphasize health, longevity, family happiness, success, or good fortune. Some expressions also have formal and informal variations depending on age and social relationship.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Synonyms | Example sentence |
| 🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese | China, Taiwan, Singapore | 生日快乐 | shēng rì kuài lè | 生日快乐呀 | 生日快乐！祝你每天都开心。 |
| 🇭🇰 Cantonese | Hong Kong, Macau | 生日快樂 | saang jat faai lok | 生日快樂呀 | 生日快樂！祝你身體健康。 |
| 🇯🇵 Japanese | Japan | お誕生日おめでとうございます | oh-tahn-joh-bee oh-meh-deh-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs | お誕生日おめでとう | お誕生日おめでとうございます。素敵な一年になりますように。 |
| 🇰🇷 Korean | South Korea | 생일 축하합니다 | saeng-il chuk-ha-ham-ni-da | 생일 축하해요 | 생일 축하합니다! 행복한 하루 보내세요. |
| 🇮🇳 Hindi | India | जन्मदिन मुबारक हो | janm-din mubaarak ho | जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएँ | जन्मदिन मुबारक हो! आपका दिन खुशियों से भरा हो। |
| 🇵🇰 Urdu | Pakistan, India | سالگرہ مبارک | saalgirah mubarak | سالگرہ کی بہت مبارکباد | سالگرہ مبارک! اللہ آپ کو ہمیشہ خوش رکھے۔ |
| 🇧🇩 Bengali | Bangladesh, India | শুভ জন্মদিন | shubho jonmodin | জন্মদিনের শুভেচ্ছা | শুভ জন্মদিন! তোমার দিনটি আনন্দে ভরে উঠুক। |
| 🇵🇳 Punjabi | India, Pakistan | ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ | janam-din mubaarak | ਜਨਮ ਦਿਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ | ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ! ਰੱਬ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ ਰੱਖੇ। |
| 🇮🇳 Marathi | India | वाढदिवसाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा | vaadh-di-va-saach-yaa haar-dik shubh-ech-chhaa | वाढदिवसाच्या शुभेच्छा | वाढदिवसाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा! |
| 🇮🇳 Gujarati | India | જન્મદિવસની શુભેચ્છા | jan-ma-di-va-sni shub-hech-chha | જન્મદિવસ મુબારક | જન્મદિવસની શુભેચ્છા! તમને ઘણી ખુશીઓ મળે. |
| 🇮🇳 Tamil | India, Sri Lanka | பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள் | pi-ran-tha-naal vaazh-thuk-kal | இனிய பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள் | பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள்! உங்கள் நாள் இனிமையாக அமையட்டும். |
| 🇮🇳 Telugu | India | పుట్టినరోజు శుభాకాంక్షలు | put-ti-na-ro-ju shu-bhaa-kaan-ksha-lu | జన్మదిన శుభాకాంక్షలు | పుట్టినరోజు శుభాకాంక్షలు! మీరు సంతోషంగా ఉండాలి. |
| 🇮🇳 Kannada | India | ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು | hut-tu-hab-ba-da shu-bha-sha-ya-ga-lu | ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯ | ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು! ನಿಮಗೆ ಸಂತೋಷ ಸಿಗಲಿ. |
| 🇮🇳 Malayalam | India | ജന്മദിനാശംസകൾ | jan-ma-di-naa-sham-sa-kal | പിറന്നാൾ ആശംസകൾ | ജന്മദിനാശംസകൾ! സന്തോഷവും സമാധാനവും ഉണ്ടാകട്ടെ. |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesian | Indonesia | Selamat ulang tahun! | suh-LAH-maht oo-lang tah-hoon | Selamat hari ulang tahun! | Selamat ulang tahun! Semoga selalu bahagia. |
| 🇲🇾 Malay | Malaysia, Brunei | Selamat hari jadi! | suh-LAH-maht HAH-ree JAH-dee | Selamat ulang tahun! | Selamat hari jadi! Semoga panjang umur dan bahagia. |
| 🇹🇭 Thai | Thailand | สุขสันต์วันเกิด | sook-san wan-gert | สุขสันต์วันเกิดนะ | สุขสันต์วันเกิด! ขอให้มีความสุขมาก ๆ |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnamese | Vietnam | Chúc mừng sinh nhật! | chook moong sin nyat | Sinh nhật vui vẻ! | Chúc mừng sinh nhật! Chúc bạn luôn vui vẻ. |
| 🇵🇭 Filipino | Philippines | Maligayang kaarawan! | ma-lee-gah-yang ka-a-ra-wan | Maligayang birthday! | Maligayang kaarawan! Sana maging masaya ang araw mo. |
| 🇲🇲 Burmese | Myanmar | မွေးနေ့မင်္ဂလာပါ | mway nay min-ga-la-ba | မွေးနေ့ပျော်ရွှင်ပါစေ | မွေးနေ့မင်္ဂလာပါ! ပျော်ရွှင်ပါစေ။ |
| 🇰🇭 Khmer | Cambodia | រីករាយថ្ងៃកំណើត | rik-reay thngai kom-naut | អបអរសាទរថ្ងៃកំណើត | រីករាយថ្ងៃកំណើត! សូមឱ្យមានសុភមង្គល។ |
| 🇱🇦 Lao | Laos | ສຸກສັນວັນເກີດ | sook-san van gert | ສຸກສັນວັນເກີດ | ສຸກສັນວັນເກີດ! ຂໍໃຫ້ມີຄວາມສຸກ. |
| 🇳🇵 Nepali | Nepal | जन्मदिनको शुभकामना | jan-ma-din-ko shubh-kaam-na | जन्मदिन मुबारक | जन्मदिनको शुभकामना! तपाईं सधैं खुसी रहनुहोस्। |
| 🇱🇰 Sinhala | Sri Lanka | සුභ උපන්දිනයක් වේවා | subha upan-dinayak wewa | සුභ උපන්දිනයක් | සුභ උපන්දිනයක් වේවා! සතුටින් සිටින්න. |
| 🇲🇳 Mongolian | Mongolia | Төрсөн өдрийн мэнд хүргэе | tör-sön öö-driin mend hür-geye | Төрсөн өдрийн баярын мэнд | Төрсөн өдрийн мэнд хүргэе! Аз жаргал хүсье. |
| 🇰🇿 Kazakh | Kazakhstan | Туған күніңмен! | too-GAN koo-ning-men | Туған күнің құтты болсын! | Туған күніңмен! Саған бақыт тілеймін. |
| 🇺🇿 Uzbek | Uzbekistan | Tug‘ilgan kuningiz bilan! | too-GHEEL-gan koo-nee-ngiz bee-lan | Tug‘ilgan kun muborak! | Tug‘ilgan kuningiz bilan! Sizga baxt tilayman. |
| 🇦🇿 Azerbaijani | Azerbaijan | Ad günün mübarək! | ad goo-NOON moo-BAH-rek | Ad günün mübarək olsun! | Ad günün mübarək! Sənə xoşbəxtlik arzulayıram. |
One of the most interesting features of Asian birthday greetings is the strong connection between language and cultural values. In many South Asian languages, for example, birthday messages can naturally be expanded into blessings or wishes for a person’s future. In East Asian languages, honorific forms can also be important when speaking to older people, teachers, colleagues, or people you do not know well.
African Languages
Africa is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse continents. Thousands of languages are spoken across its countries, including widely used languages such as Swahili, Amharic, Yoruba, Zulu, Xhosa, Hausa, and Igbo.
Birthday greetings in African languages often sound warm and celebratory. Depending on the language and culture, a birthday wish may also include a blessing or a wish for long life and happiness.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Synonyms | Example sentence |
| 🇰🇪 Swahili | Kenya, Tanzania, East Africa | Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa! | HEH-ree yah SEE-koo yah koo-za-LEE-wah | Hongera kwa siku ya kuzaliwa! | Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa! Nakutakia furaha nyingi. |
| 🇪🇹 Amharic | Ethiopia | መልካም ልደት | mel-kam li-det | መልካም ልደት ይሁንልህ | መልካም ልደት! ብዙ ደስታ እመኝልሃለሁ። |
| 🇳🇬 Yoruba | Nigeria, Benin | Ẹ ku ọjọ́ ìbí! | eh koo johg ee-bee | Ayọ̀ ọjọ́ ìbí! | Ẹ ku ọjọ́ ìbí! Mo fẹ́ kí ayọ̀ àti àlàáfíà máa bá ọ lọ. |
| 🇳🇬 Igbo | Nigeria | Ezi ụbọchị ọmụmụ! | EH-zee oo-boh AH-moo | Ụbọchị ọmụmụ ọma! | Ezi ụbọchị ọmụmụ! Ka ị nwee obi ụtọ. |
| 🇳🇬 Hausa | Nigeria, Niger | Barka da ranar haihuwa! | BAR-ka da RA-nar hai-HOO-wa | Allah ya raya! | Barka da ranar haihuwa! Allah ya ba ka lafiya da farin ciki. |
| 🇿🇦 Zulu | South Africa | Usuku lokuzalwa oluhle! | oo-SOO-koo lo-koo-ZAL-wa OH-loo-leh | Halala ngosuku lokuzalwa! | Usuku lokuzalwa oluhle! Ngikufisela injabulo. |
| 🇿🇦 Xhosa | South Africa | Usuku lokuzalwa olumnandi! | oo-SOO-koo lo-koo-ZAL-wa oh-LOOM-an-dee | Iminqweno emihle yosuku lokuzalwa! | Usuku lokuzalwa olumnandi! |
| 🇿🇦 Afrikaans | South Africa, Namibia | Gelukkige verjaarsdag! | khuh-LOO-kuh fer-YAHRS-dakh | Veels geluk! | Gelukkige verjaarsdag! Ek hoop jy het ‘n wonderlike dag. |
| 🇲🇬 Malagasy | Madagascar | Tratry ny tsingerintaona nahaterahana! | TRAHT-ree nee TSEE-ngair-in-tow-na | Mirary soa! | Tratry ny tsingerintaona nahaterahana! Mirary fahasambarana ho anao. |
| 🇷🇼 Kinyarwanda | Rwanda | Isabukuru nziza! | ee-sa-boo-KOO-roo NDEE-za | Isabukuru nziza cyane! | Isabukuru nziza! Nkwifurije ibyishimo byinshi. |
| 🇸🇴 Somali | Somalia | Dhalasho wacan! | da-la-SHO wa-chan | Dhalasho wanaagsan! | Dhalasho wacan! Waxaan kuu rajaynayaa farxad badan. |
| 🇧🇼 Setswana | Botswana | Letsatsi la matsalo le le monate! | let-SAT-see la mat-SA-lo leh leh MO-na-teh | Matsalo a monate! | Letsatsi la matsalo le le monate! |
| 🇱🇸 Sesotho | Lesotho, South Africa | Letsatsi le monate la tsoalo! | let-SAT-see leh mo-NA-teh la TSO-a-lo | Tsoalo e monate! | Letsatsi le monate la tsoalo! |
| 🇿🇼 Shona | Zimbabwe | Bhavhadhe rinofadza! | bha-va-dee ree-no-FA-dza | Makorokoto ekuzvarwa! | Bhavhadhe rinofadza! Ndinokushuvira mufaro mukuru. |
Africa demonstrates particularly well that there is no single way to express a birthday wish. In some languages, the greeting focuses directly on the birthday. In others, speakers naturally add wishes for happiness, health, blessings, or a prosperous future.
Middle Eastern Languages
The Middle East is home to several major languages and rich linguistic traditions. Arabic is spoken across many countries, while Persian, Hebrew, Kurdish, and other languages are also important in the region.
Birthday greetings can vary according to dialect and country. Arabic, in particular, has many regional varieties, although Modern Standard Arabic provides a broadly recognizable form.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Synonyms | Example sentence |
| 🇸🇦 Arabic | Middle East, North Africa | عيد ميلاد سعيد | eid mee-LAD sa-EED | كل عام وأنت بخير | عيد ميلاد سعيد! أتمنى لك يوماً جميلاً. |
| 🇪🇬 Egyptian Arabic | Egypt | عيد ميلاد سعيد | eid mee-LAAD sa-EED | كل سنة وإنت طيب | عيد ميلاد سعيد! ربنا يسعدك دايماً. |
| 🇮🇶 Iraqi Arabic | Iraq | عيد ميلاد سعيد | eid mee-LAAD sa-EED | كل عام وأنت بخير | عيد ميلاد سعيد! أتمنى لك السعادة دائماً. |
| 🇮🇷 Persian | Iran | تولدت مبارک | tavallodet mobarak | زادروزت مبارک | تولدت مبارک! برات بهترینها رو آرزو میکنم. |
| 🇮🇱 Hebrew | Israel | יום הולדת שמח | yom hoo-LEH-det same-akh | מזל טוב! | יום הולדת שמח! אני מאחל לך הרבה אושר. |
| 🇮🇱 Hebrew, feminine form | Israel | יום הולדת שמח | yom hoo-LEH-det same-akh | מזל טוב! | יום הולדת שמח! אני מאחלת לך אושר. |
| 🇮🇶 Kurdish Kurmanji | Kurdistan regions | Rojbûna te pîroz be! | roj-BOO-na teh pee-ROZ beh | Rojbûna te pîroz! | Rojbûna te pîroz be! Ez ji te re kêfxweşî dixwazim. |
| 🇦🇲 Armenian | Armenia | Ծնունդդ շնորհավոր | tsuh-NOONT shnor-ha-VOR | Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ | Ծնունդդ շնորհավոր! Քեզ երջանկություն եմ մաղթում։ |
| 🇬🇪 Georgian | Georgia | გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს! | gee-LO-tsav da-ba-DE-bis dghes | გილოცავ! | გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს! ბედნიერებას გისურვებ. |
In Arabic-speaking communities, “Eid Milad Saeed” is a common birthday greeting, while “Kul aam wa anta bikhair” literally conveys a wish that the person remains well year after year. Persian commonly uses “Tavalodet Mobarak,” which is a warm and familiar way to wish someone a happy birthday.
Additional Languages Around the World
Languages outside the major regional groups are equally fascinating. From Pacific languages to Central Asian languages and indigenous languages, birthday greetings provide a glimpse into the diversity of human communication.
Some of the following expressions are used by communities across several countries or regions. Where a language has multiple varieties, the phrase shown represents a commonly recognized form rather than suggesting that every speaker uses exactly the same wording.
| Language | Country/Region | Translation | Pronunciation | Synonyms | Example sentence |
| 🇧🇦 Bosnian | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sretan rođendan! | SREH-tan ROZH-en-dan | Sve najbolje! | Sretan rođendan! Želim ti puno sreće i zdravlja. |
| 🇲🇰 Macedonian | North Macedonia | Среќен роденден! | SREH-kyen RO-den-den | Сè најдобро! | Среќен роденден! Ти посакувам многу среќа. |
| 🇦🇱 Albanian | Albania, Kosovo | Gëzuar ditëlindjen! | guh-ZOO-ar dee-teh-LIND-yen | Urime ditëlindjen! | Gëzuar ditëlindjen! Të uroj shumë lumturi. |
| 🇲🇹 Maltese | Malta | Awguri f’għeluq sninek! | ow-GOO-ree f eh-LOOQ snee-nek | Awguri! | Awguri f’għeluq sninek! |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourgish | Luxembourg | Alles Guddes fir däi Gebuertsdag! | AH-less GOOD-dess feer dye guh-BOORTS-dahk | Alles Guddes! | Alles Guddes fir däi Gebuertsdag! |
| 🇧🇾 Belarusian | Belarus | З днём нараджэння! | z dnyom na-ra-DZHEN-ya | Віншую! | З днём нараджэння! Жадаю табе шчасця. |
| 🇮🇩 Javanese | Indonesia | Sugeng ambal warsa! | soo-GENG am-bal WAR-sa | Sugeng tanggap warsa! | Sugeng ambal warsa! Mugi tansah pinaringan kabegjan. |
| 🇮🇩 Sundanese | Indonesia | Wilujeng tepang taun! | wee-loo-JENG tuh-pang town | Wilujeng ulang taun! | Wilujeng tepang taun! Mugia salawasna bagja. |
| 🇫🇯 Fijian | Fiji | Marau na nomu siga ni sucu! | ma-RAU na NO-moo SEE-ga nee SOO-thoo | Marau! | Marau na nomu siga ni sucu! |
| 🇼🇸 Samoan | Samoa | Manuia lou aso fanau! | ma-noo-EE-a low AH-so fa-NOW | Manuia lou aso fanau! | Manuia lou aso fanau! Ia manuia tele lou aso. |
| 🇹🇴 Tongan | Tonga | Fiefia he ʻaho faʻu! | fee-eh-FEE-a he AH-hoh ah-OO | Fiefia he ʻaho fanau! | Fiefia he ʻaho faʻu! |
| 🇳🇿 Māori | New Zealand | Hari huritau! | HA-ree HOO-ree-tow | Kia hari huritau! | Hari huritau! Kia hari tō rā. |
| 🇭🇹 Haitian Creole | Haiti | Bòn fèt! | bon fet | Bòn anivèsè! | Bòn fèt! Mwen swete ou anpil kontantman. |
| 🇸🇷 Sranan Tongo | Suriname | Feli yari! | FEH-lee YA-ree | Feli dey! | Feli yari! Mi wani yu abi wan bun dei. |
| 🇧🇷 Guarani | Paraguay, South America | Vy’apavẽ nde arambotýre! | vya-pa-VEH nde a-ram-bo-TEE-reh | Vy’apavẽ! | Vy’apavẽ nde arambotýre! |
| 🇵🇪 Quechua | Andes, South America | Kusikuy punchawniykipi! | koo-see-KOOY poon-chow-nee-kee-pee | Kusikuy! | Kusikuy punchawniykipi! |
| 🇨🇦 Inuktitut | Inuit regions, Canada | ᐅᑉᐱᒋᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᐅᓪᓗᖓ ᐃᓕᓐᓄᑦ | up-pi-gi-aq-tu-nee ul-loo-nga | Birthday greetings vary by dialect | ᐅᑉᐱᒋᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᐅᓪᓗᖓ ᐃᓕᓐᓄᑦ! |
| 🇳🇴 Northern Sami | Northern Scandinavia | Lihkolaš riegádanbeaivi! | lee-ho-kash ree-eh-gah-dan-bay-vee | Lihkolaš beaivi! | Lihkolaš riegádanbeaivi! |
| 🇻🇦 Latin | Classical/academic use | Felix dies natalis! | FEH-leeks dee-ays na-TAH-lees | Felicem natalem! | Felix dies natalis! Tibi felicitatem opto. |
How to Say “Happy Birthday” in the Most Popular Languages
If you only need a quick reference, these are some of the most useful birthday greetings to remember:
- 🇺🇸 English: Happy Birthday!
- 🇪🇸 Spanish: ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
- 🇫🇷 French: Joyeux anniversaire !
- 🇩🇪 German: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
- 🇮🇹 Italian: Buon compleanno!
- 🇵🇹 Portuguese: Feliz aniversário!
- 🇳🇱 Dutch: Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!
- 🇷🇺 Russian: С днём рождения!
- 🇬🇷 Greek: Χρόνια πολλά!
- 🇹🇷 Turkish: Doğum günün kutlu olsun!
- 🇵🇱 Polish: Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin!
- 🇸🇪 Swedish: Grattis på födelsedagen!
- 🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese: 生日快乐
- 🇯🇵 Japanese: お誕生日おめでとうございます
- 🇰🇷 Korean: 생일 축하합니다
- 🇮🇳 Hindi: जन्मदिन मुबारक हो
- 🇵🇰 Urdu: سالگرہ مبارک
- 🇧🇩 Bengali: শুভ জন্মদিন
- 🇮🇩 Indonesian: Selamat ulang tahun!
- 🇹🇭 Thai: สุขสันต์วันเกิด
- 🇻🇳 Vietnamese: Chúc mừng sinh nhật!
- 🇵🇭 Filipino: Maligayang kaarawan!
- 🇸🇦 Arabic: عيد ميلاد سعيد
- 🇮🇷 Persian: تولدت مبارک
- 🇮🇱 Hebrew: יום הולדת שמח
- 🇰🇪 Swahili: Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa!
- 🇿🇦 Zulu: Usuku lokuzalwa oluhle!
- 🇳🇬 Yoruba: Ẹ ku ọjọ́ ìbí!
- 🇪🇹 Amharic: መልካም ልደት
- 🇳🇵 Nepali: जन्मदिनको शुभकामना
How to Make a Birthday Wish More Personal
Knowing how to say “Happy Birthday” is a great start, but adding a short personal message can make the greeting much warmer. For example, instead of sending only the traditional phrase, you can add a wish for happiness, health, success, or a wonderful year.
In Spanish, you might add a wish for a wonderful day. Japanese, you can express the hope that the coming year will be a great one. In Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, and several other languages, it is natural to add a blessing or a wish for continued happiness.
The most important point is to consider your relationship with the person. A message to a close friend can be casual and playful, while a birthday greeting for a teacher, manager, elder, or professional contact may need a more respectful form.
You should also remember that direct translations do not always sound natural. A phrase that literally translates as “Happy Birthday” in English may be used differently by native speakers. This is why cultural context matters just as much as vocabulary.
Formal vs. Informal Birthday Greetings
Some languages make a clear distinction between formal and informal communication.
For example, Japanese has different levels of politeness, and the formal birthday greeting is appropriate for someone you do not know closely or someone you want to address respectfully. Korean also has different speech levels depending on age, status, and relationship.
Spanish-speaking countries may use different forms of “you,” depending on the country and relationship. French has the familiar “tu” and formal “vous.” German similarly distinguishes between informal and formal forms.
If you are unsure, using the more polite version is generally safer when communicating with someone you do not know well.
Why Learn “Happy Birthday” in Another Language?
Learning birthday greetings in different languages is a small investment with a surprisingly meaningful result. You do not need to become fluent in another language to show respect for its speakers.
A simple birthday phrase can help you:
- Connect with international friends and family.
- Make multilingual birthday cards more meaningful.
- Communicate with people from different cultures.
- Learn useful vocabulary in a new language.
- Add personality to social media birthday posts.
- Show appreciation for someone’s cultural background.
- Start a conversation about language and traditions.
- Make international celebrations feel more inclusive.
It can also be a fun learning activity for children. Birthday phrases are short, easy to practice, and connected to a positive event, making them more memorable than isolated vocabulary lists.
Common Mistakes When Saying “Happy Birthday” in Different Languages
One common mistake is assuming that every language has a word-for-word equivalent of “Happy Birthday.” In reality, some languages use a phrase that means “Congratulations,” “Many happy years,” or “May your birthday be joyful.”
Another mistake is ignoring pronunciation. Even when the written translation is correct, saying the words incorrectly can make the greeting difficult to understand. This is especially important for languages with sounds that do not exist in English.
A third mistake is using an informal expression with someone who expects formal communication. If you are sending a birthday greeting to a colleague, teacher, elder, or professional contact, check whether the language has a formal alternative.
Finally, avoid assuming that one phrase works identically in every country where a language is spoken. Spanish in Spain and Spanish in Latin America are closely related but have regional differences. Arabic also has substantial differences between countries and dialect groups.
Frequently Asked Questions About
What is “Happy Birthday” in Spanish?
In Spanish, Happy Birthday is ¡Feliz cumpleaños! You can also use ¡Felicidades! as a warm birthday greeting.
How do you say “Happy Birthday” in French?
In French, Happy Birthday is Joyeux anniversaire ! Another common option is Bon anniversaire !
How do you say “Happy Birthday” in another language?
You can choose a greeting from many languages around the world, such as 生日快乐 in Mandarin, 생일 축하합니다 in Korean, or عيد ميلاد سعيد in Arabic.
Can I use these birthday greetings in a card or message?
Yes, these birthday greetings work well in a birthday card, text message, or social media post. Adding a short personal wish can make the message more thoughtful.
How can I pronounce “Happy Birthday” correctly in another language?
Use the pronunciation guides provided with each translation, but remember they are simplified for English speakers. When possible, listen to native speakers to improve your pronunciation.
Conclusion
Learning Happy Birthday in different languages turns simple birthday greetings into thoughtful moments of connection. Whether you choose Spanish, French, Mandarin, Urdu, Arabic, or Swahili, using someone’s native language can show respect, warmth, and appreciation for their culture. These phrases can make a birthday message more personal while helping you connect with people around the world.
