Learn the vocabulary and phrases for wishing happy birthday in Spanish. Listen to four short conversations about with different expressions for birthday wishes.
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Happy Birthday in Spanish: Feliz Cumpleaños. Translated as “Happy In French , people wish each other a “Good Birthday!” Birthday parties in France are.
So that special day is coming up for that Spanish speaker you love, and you’re not quite sure of the best way to wish them a special day? Or is it that you will need to navigate having your birthday in a Spanish-speaking environment for the first time this year? Never fear, Clozemaster is here to help!
Here you will find all the ways to say “happy brthday” in Spanish, what else you can say to make someone’s birthday extra special, and what to expect from native Spanish speakers when it’s your birthday!
The most common way to wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish is felicidades.
How to pronounce “happy birthday” in SpanishClick the play button next to each phrase to hear its pronunciation: |
The world cumpleaños is a compound word in Spanish, just as is the English word birthday. However, when we break them down in the most literal sense, the two words are not the same.
The Spanish word cumpleaños is made up of the words cumple and años. Cumple is a form of the verb cumplir, for which the closest English translation is to turn as in, “I’m turning 24 this year”. Años means years. So literally, we have “turns years”. Doesn’t sound great in English, but in Spanish it makes perfect sense.
So, cumpleaños has a very commonly used verb form: cumplir años. Cumplir can be treated as a regular -ir verb, and conjugated as necessary. This is a very diverse expression and can be translated in a variety of ways.
Cumplir años can be translated as “to have a birthday”. In these circumstances, it is used in the same way as its English counterpart. For example:
Cumplir años is also often used where we would use the English “birthday” as a noun. Note that the noun cumpleaños could also be used in these sentences if you wanted a more literal translation of the English, but using cumplir años is just as common.
You can also add the age in between cumplir and años to express the meaning “turn X age”. In more informal Spanish, you can drop the años.
Spanish speakers are generally very fond of expressing as much love and happiness with their language as they can. So along with saying “happy birthday”, it is very, very common in Spanish to add some well wishes or special messages to show how much you really do wish the person to have a happy birthday.
You might notice that absolutely all of the well wishes below are formed using the present subjunctive tense. Check out this guide to Spanish subjunctive from Spanish Obsessed if you’d like to learn more about what this means. Essentially, these expressions show one of the main uses of the subjunctive, which is to express desire (deseo) or hope (esperanza).
As you can see, the general formula for these birthday expressions is que (that) + subjunctive verb + predicate.
As this structure isn’t used in English, these expressions might be a bit confusing to you. A simple way to think of them is as if this que is equivalent of the English “may”, which, in this context, it is. The idea is that giver of the well-wishing is unspecified. If it’s still confusing to you, you could also add espero (I hope) before the que which would give essentially the same meaning, but then there is more emphasis on the giver of the message.
In any case, for those phrases below which might be a bit harder to decipher, I have added a literal translation under the meaning.
All of the following are very commonly heard on someone’s birthday in the Spanish-speaking world:
Maybe you’ve got someone extra special in mind and you really want to send them a beautiful, heartfelt birthday message in Spanish. But you don’t trust your ability to sound sweet and articulate in Spanish.
Here’s a cool website where you can find a bunch of different birthday messages. You can be sure the message will be appropriate because they are categorized according to your relationship to the person!
Is it you who will be the birthday boy or girl and you want to know how to deal in the Spanish-speaking world around this time of year?
In response to “happy birthday” in Spanish, a simple “gracias” will usually suffice. You might be asked some other questions around the time of your birthday, so here’s how to deal with those conversations.
When it comes to birthdays, the culture in Spanish-speaking countries is quite similar to English-speaking countries. By this I mean parties, cake and presents are all commonplace. In saying that, there are some regional traditions which vary country by country.
In Latin American countries, girls have a big birthday party and celebration when they turn 15 – it is sort of traditionally regarded as becoming a woman. This party is known as the quinciañera. For guys, the bigger celebration happens at the age of 18.
The Spanish-speaking world is so diverse and vibrant that there is no one universal “happy birthday” song in Spanish. Instead, most countries have different variations of the song. At least they all seem to follow the same “happy birthday” tune we know and love – so if in doubt, you can just hum along!
In saying that (just to make things even more complicated), a lot of countries have their own traditional song as well as the more well-known tune.
Some people get confused and think the correct way to say “happy birthday” in Spanish is cumpleaños feliz because that’s how it’s sung in the song. In fact, cumpleaños feliz is just a poetic version of the standard feliz cumpleaños. It’s probably been worded the other way around in the song because it fits better into the tune.
So in short, you wouldn’t just say cumpleaños feliz to a friend casually.
Below is the Spanish “happy birthday” song I am familiar with from spending time with Colombians. Lyrics for most Spanish-speaking nations’ versions for the song can be found here.
But for now, read the lyrics of this version and see if you can understand the meaning. The translation is provided to the right.
| Cumpleaños feliz te deseamos a ti cumpleaños (name) cumpleaños felizQue los cumpla feliz Que los vuelva a cumplir Que los siga cumpliendo Hasta el año 3 mil. | Happy birthday We wish you Birthday (name) Happy birthdayMay you have a happy birthday May you have more birthdays May you keep having birthdays Until the year 3000. |
Happy birthday funny folks! Celebrating big days with friends and family are the best times to put your good humor on display. Nearly everyone tends to be in a good mood and looking for a reason to laugh. Don’t disappoint them – come with your “A” game. Check out some messages, wishes, quotes and jokes below for ideas.
For your birthday, I wish that every mirror in the world would vanish so you wouldn’t know that you are getting older. Enjoy!
You are gradually getting to the top of the hill. It’s better than being buried under it.
You should be proud of your age. This year you are wiser, smarter and very close to reaping the benefits of senior discounts at restaurants.
Don’t regret the grey hairs on your head. Aging is a privilege granted to a select few. Happy Birthday!
To someone totally awesome, gorgeous, funny, and sort of reminds me of myself! You are a fabulous sister and you know you owe it all to me!
Dearest sister, please stop being younger than me every year! It just isn’t fair! Best wishes to you on your special day. May your beauty and humor never fade!
I can’t believe that someone so annoying and immature grew up to be someone I love dearly and consider one of my best friends! Happy Birthday to my wonderful, beautiful, and intelligent sister!
Congratulations on having survived another year with me as your sister! May this year be your best year yet!
Before you go out today, make sure your pockets are empty. It’s your day to have others treat you! I hope you enjoy your birthday, dear brother.
You might get all the responsibility for being the older brother, but you have no idea how hard it is to be the favorite of the family. Enjoy your day!
As the true and good-hearted brother that I am, I have remembered your birthday and forgotten your age.
You’ve already taught me so much as my older brother. Now I’m learning from you on how (not) to age gracefully. Have a great Bday!
For your birthday, I wanted to give you something that was both funny and charming, but then I remembered you already have me in your life.
May my friend on this special day be able to set all the jealous people on fire and use the flame to burn the candles and blow them off with a happy smile, a very happy and amazing day to you.
I made you a birthday cake to celebrate, but I couldn’t light the candles. It turns out the fire department requires a permit for bonfires.
Having friends never has been more awesome! You truly are a great person to have around, even when you eat everything on the table. We still love you anyway! Happy birthday!
Tip: These Happy Birthday Funny Messages work nicely as captions for social media.
You might like: Cool and Hip Quotes.
I do love how you stick to me like glue, it certainly makes it easy for me to keep track of where you are and what you are doing at all times.
You’re the best husband a lady could hope for. Kind, handsome, charming and clever. If only were also tall. Not to worry, 4 out of 5 boxes are not bad at all!
I didn’t get you a fancy gift this year, instead I thought it best to go with something sentimental. Remember that time you told me how happy it makes you when I wear red? Well, I’ve bought a whole new outfit and accessories in lush red colors. Just for you!
It’s time for me to start pulling my weight around the house I know. So today for your birthday I’ve cleaned all the rooms and made the house pretty, all for you! So now do your part, get in the kitchen and make us some dinner.
No one will stop tonight from eating your favorite items. I wish you a happiest birthday ever.
Happy birthday. At your age, you should really try to see everything as larger than life…starting with LARGE print.
Hey, no matter how old have you become today, just make sure that you don’t forget that where you kept the car keys. Good luck!
Can you remember those young, healthy and colorful days of our young age? It’s always feels awesome when you can recall all those memories.
Don’t be sad you’re a year older. Keep your chin up…both of ’em! Well, you know what I mean.
If anyone calls you old, hit them with your cane and throw your teeth at them!
This year is the easiest one for me to pick a birthday gift for you,
I choose makeup for you to apply plenty of it to hide your wrinkles and your age.
At our age, the only way to look younger is to add at least a decade to your age.
So, you are still younger than the age you will be on the next birthday. Have a special celebration.
Just smile while you still have your natural teeth.
Another year has gone, but that doesn’t mean you’ve become wiser.
We need a flamethrower instead of a lighter to light up all of your candles.
Check out our Funny Birthday Quotes from Dr Seuss.
Don’t count the candles on your cake or the wrinkles on your face. Just be glad that you’re not down for the count.
The main thing to do to remain young is to lie when it comes to your age, eat slowly and dress like a teenager.
You’ve finally reached the age of wisdom but nobody wants to listen to you.
There are plenty of years that I can remember for those history classes in our schools. But, the bad news is I can’t remember your birth date as it wasn’t in our course. May be I’m late, but have a great one.
You should count your age not your wrinkles. Count your experiences and blessings not your mistakes.
Stop counting your candles and start counting your blessings. You still have hair on your head, not in your ears and nose!
The room is getting hotter, please blow the candles before your room gets on fire.
It’s cold out there, but I feel much warm for your candles. Man, your birthday is hot!
They say that with age comes wisdom. I’m not so sure…I’ve met a lot of really stupid old people. So far, you’re not one of them.
Time may heal all wounds, but it leaves you with an unhealthy glow, saggy skin and crow’s feet.
Muchas muchas felicidades del día!
Que puedas disfrutar de este día haciendo las cosas especiales que le gusta hacer. Feliz cumpleaños a it.
Amigo del feliz cumpleaños !! Que puedas superar todas las dificultades y desafíos que vienen en su vida.
Que Dios te bendiga en tu cumpleaños. Te enviamos nuestro amor.
Felicidades en tu día! Espero que lo pases genial.
Time and tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty.
Robert Frost
You’re getting old when the only thing you want for your birthday is not to be reminded of it.
Felix Severn
Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.
Unknown
The older you get, the better you get. Unless you’re a banana.
Rose Nylund
A friend never defends a husband who gets his wife an electric skillet for her birthday.
Erma Bombeck
You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.
Bob Hope
For all the advances in medicine, there is still no cure for the common birthday.
John Glenn
Last week the candle factory burned down. Everyone just stood around and sang, ‘Happy Birthday.’
Steven Wright
Years ago we discovered the exact point, the dead centre of middle age. It occurs when you are too young to take up golf and too old to rush up to the net.
Franklin P. Adams
The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills.
Richard J. Needham
Life would be infinitely better if we could be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18.
Mark Twain
Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.
Father Larry Lorenzoni
The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you’ll grow out of it.
Doris Day
I’ve got everything I had 20 years ago, except now it’s all lower.
Gypsy Rose Lee
After 30, a body has a mind of its own.
Bette Midler
Like many women my age, I am 28 years old.
Mary Schmich
Middle age is when you have the choice of two temptations and you choose the one that will get you home earlier.
Edgar Watson Howe
The bad news is that I have a bad memory and am no good at math. The good news is that I have no idea how old I am.
Melanie White
What’s the easiest way to remember your wife’s birthday?
Forget it once!
What do you always get on your birthday?
Another year older!
What did the elephant wish for on his birthday?
A trunkful of presents!
What do George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Christopher Columbus all have in common?
They were all born on holidays.
Where do you get a birthday present for your cat?
From a cat-alogue.
How do pickles celebrate their birthdays?
They relish the moment.
You might like our hilarious Dad Jokes.
What goes up and never comes down?
Your age!
What do they serve at birthday parties in heaven?
Angel food cake.
Why did Susan stand on her head at the birthday party?
They were having upside-down cake!
Were any famous men born on your birthday?
No, only little babies.
I like birthdays, but I think too many can kill you.
When is a birthday cake like a golf ball?
When it’s been sliced.
What’s the best way to get a man to remember your anniversary?
Get married on his birthday.
What did the bald guy say when he was given a comb for his birthday?
Thanks, I’ll never part with it.
Why did Tommy hit his birthday cake with a hammer?
It was a pound cake!
What was the average age of a cave man?
Stone Age!
What does a cat like to eat on his birthday?
Mice cream and cake.
What did the birthday cake say to the ice cream?
You’re cool!
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You’re on Happy Birthday Funny.
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To Share is Divine...
Jun 22, 2019 Spanish Birthday Greetings. 2. Spanish Let's start off the list with birthday greetings. Here are some simple Spanish phrases to help you.
Are you looking for beautiful words how to say congratulations and best wishes in spanish? If your friend celebrates a birthday or wedding, has a new baby born, received a promotion at work, here you'll find a lot of spanish phrases with translation into english to wish them a lot of happiness! Everyone likes to receive a lovely message or email on a special day!
In english:
Congratulations (greetings)
Translation to spanish:
Felicitaciones;
Felicidades (more formal on special occasions);
Enhorabuena! (for achievements like exams or newborn).
I wish you the best!
Te deseo lo major!
Congratulations on your wedding day!
¡Felicidades en el día de su boda!
We hope you have a great day with all your friends and family.
Esperamos que pases un día muy feliz en compañía de amigos y familiares.
Congratulations on your engagement!
¡Congratulaciones en tu compromiso!
Congratulations! I am glad to hear that you are having a baby boy.
¡Felicidades! Me alegra saber que vas a tener un niño.
With all my heart.
Con todo mi corazón.
Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage.
Felicitaciones por tu próximo matrimonio.
Happy Birthday!
Feliz cumpleaños!
I wish you all the best for your birthday!.
¡Te deseo lo mejor en el día de tu cumpleaños!
Well Done!
¡Pozo Hecho!
With love from...
Con amor de...
Congrats! Enjoy your new home.
Felicidades! Que disfrutes de tu nueva casa.
I wish you the best of luck and every success.
Te deseo la mejor de las suertes y mucho éxito.
Kisses and hugs.
Besos y abrazos.
Much happiness!
Muchas felicidades!
Cheers!
Salud!
I wish you good luck, lot of happiness, all your wishes come true.
Te deseo que tengas suerte, felicidad, y que se cumplan todos tus deseos.
On your retirement!
¡En tu retiro!
Have a nice day!
Que pases un buen dia!
Congratulations on your promotion!
¡Congratulaciones en tu promoción!
May your dreams become reality.
Que tus sueños se conviertan en realidad.
May each day be as special as today.
Que cada dia sea tan especial como hoy.
We would like to send you our congratulations.
Quisiéramos enviar nuestras felicitaciones.
We all send our love.
Te enviamos nuestro amor.
I wish you a day as beautiful as a rainbow!
¡Te deseo un día tan hermoso como el arco iris!
Un cumpleaños es el día más especial en la vida de uno. Disfrútalo al máximo. ¡ Feliz cumpleaños!.
