When an international friend has a birthday coming up, a warm message in the right words means a lot. Everyone knows “Happy Birthday”, but there are many other ways to say it, in English and in languages around the world. This guide gives you birthday wishes in English for cards and messages, and shows you how to wish someone a happy birthday in other languages too.
Happy Birthday in English and Other Languages
Short birthday wishes in English
These are ideal for a quick message, a text or a social-media post.
- Happy birthday!
- Happy birthday to you!
- Have a wonderful birthday!
- Wishing you all the best on your special day.
- Hope your day is as special as you are.
- Many happy returns!
- Have a fantastic day!
- Best wishes on your birthday.
Longer birthday wishes in English
These suit a birthday card or a letter, where you have room to say a little more.
- Wishing you a very happy birthday and a year full of health, happiness and success.
- On your special day, I hope you feel as loved and appreciated as you truly are. Happy birthday!
- Another year older, another year wiser, and even more wonderful. Enjoy every moment of your birthday.
- Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. I hope this year brings you everything you wish for. Happy birthday!
- May your birthday be filled with laughter, good company and all your favourite things.
A quick tip on tone: keep it short and warm for a colleague ("Wishing you a very happy birthday"), a little more personal for a close friend or family member, and save the most heartfelt messages for those closest to you.
Learn a language. Travel the world.
How to say happy birthday around the world
Surprise a friend by writing in their own language. Here is how to say "Happy Birthday" in some of the world's most widely spoken languages, with a rough pronunciation.
| Language | Happy Birthday | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | ¡Feliz cumpleaños! | feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos |
| French | Joyeux anniversaire! | zhwa-YUH ah-nee-vair-SAIR |
| German | Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! | AH-less GOO-teh tsoom geh-BOORTS-tahk |
| Italian | Buon compleanno! | bwon kom-pleh-AH-noh |
| Portuguese | Feliz aniversário! | feh-LEES ah-nee-vair-SAH-ryoo |
| Chinese | 生日快乐 | shēngrì kuàilè |
| Japanese | お誕生日おめでとう | otanjōbi omedetō |
| Korean | 생일축하해요 | saeng-il chukha haeyo |
| Arabic | ديعس دلايم ديع | eid milad sa'eed |
| Hindi | जन्मत्रि नकी$शुभकी मन एं | janmadin ki shubhkamnaye |
| Thai | สขสนต์วันเกิดี | suksan wan koet |
Birthday traditions around the world
Birthdays are marked in wonderfully different ways from place to place:
In Mexico, children try to break a sweet-filled piñata while blindfolded.
In parts of the Caribbean, it is a playful tradition to cover the birthday person in flour.
In Nepal, a spot of coloured yogurt is pressed onto the forehead for good luck. In Japan, the Shichi-Go-San ("seven-five-three") festival on 15 November celebrates children aged three, five and seven.
And in China, a baby's first birthday is often marked with zhuazhou, where the child is offered a tray of objects and the one they pick is said to hint at their future.
Experiencing these customs first-hand is one of the joys of travelling and learning a language abroad.
Summary
To wish someone a happy birthday in English, keep it short and warm for a message ("Happy birthday, have a wonderful day!") or say a little more in a card ("Wishing you a year full of health and happiness").
To go the extra mile, greet an international friend in their own language, Feliz cumpleaños, Joyeux anniversaire, 生日快乐 and so on.
The best way to pick up these phrases naturally, along with the culture behind them, is on a language course abroad with SPRACHCAFFE.
FAQ
The classics are "Happy birthday!", "Many happy returns" and "Have a wonderful day". For a warmer note, add a wish such as "Wishing you health, happiness and everything you hope for in the year ahead".
It is "feliz cumpleaños" in Spanish, "joyeux anniversaire" in French, "alles Gute zum Geburtstag" in German and "buon compleanno" in Italian. Most are used both in speech and on cards.
Keep it personal: name the person, mark the occasion and add a wish for the year ahead. A short line such as "Happy birthday, Anna, I hope this year brings you everything you wish for" works for almost anyone.
Yes. Customs range from the German "Geburtstag" gatherings to Latin American celebrations and the song sung worldwide. Learning birthday wishes in another language is an easy, friendly way to connect with people from other cultures.
Related news
Get the latest on travel, languages and culture