Is someone you know from the Spanish-speaking countries having an upcoming birthday?
Do you know how to congratulate him in Spanish?
It is easy, you are probably thinking.
Everyone knows that it is ‘¡Feliz cumpleaños!’
If you are a Spanish student, you have probably heard this sentence at least once a year.
In case you are a 'Spanish newborn', it means 'Happy birthday.'
Whether you have to use it or someone tells you, learning to congratulate someone and wish a happy birthday is essential on your Spanish learning path.
But hear this: there is not only one expression you can use to say happy birthday in Spanish.
There are many other ways to congratulate and wish all the best for someone's birthday.
Cumpleaños And Birthday
Birthdays are very important days for all of us.
Even those who say they don’t like their own birthdays, actually do. The day of your birthday is all about you being in the center of attention and full of positivity.
As for Spaniards, they like their birthdays even more because that’s one of the many occasions they spend time with their families and close friends. An inevitable part of birthdays is family fiestas with Spanish food traditions altogether.
Hanging around, eating, drinking, dancing, and having fun is all you need on your birthday.
So, there’s no better moment than this one to start memorizing all the following ways to say happy birthday in Spanish.
For a start, you already know that the word ‘birthday’ is ‘cumpleaños.’
How Do You Wish Someone a Happy Birthday in Spanish?
Even though there’s one basic and most popular birthday phrase to congratulate and wish all the best, there are 10 more phrases you can use to wish someone lots of love, good health, and happiness.
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
As you’ve already learned, the most commonly used phrase to wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish is ‘¡Feliz cumpleaños!’
- ¡Feliz cumple!
Beside this one, ‘¡Feliz cumple!’ is equally popular. The word ‘cumple’ is a shorter version of ‘cumpleaños.’
The first phrase is used both formally and informally, while the second one is used only on informal occasions, among close friends and family members.
- ¡Muchas felicidades!
It is common to say someone ‘congratulations.’ The English equivalent of the phrase is ‘Best wishes!’
Even though it doesn’t include the word ‘birthday’ it can be used as a birthday phrase alone or after saying ‘¡Feliz cumpleaños!’
- ¡Felicitaciones!
In the meaning ‘congratulations,’ this phrase means the same as ‘felicidades.’
Interestingly, this phrase is used in Latin America, while Spain rather uses ‘felicidades.’
- ¡Felicidades en tu día!
This phrase means ‘congratulate on your day.’
Even though it is mainly used for birthday wishes, since there isn't a specified ‘birthday’ anywhere, it also can be used for other happy occasions, such as weddings.
- Que tengas un feliz/lindo día.
The phrase where you wish a birthday boy (or a girl) ‘may you have a happy/beautiful day’ is pretty clear.
People usually use it after saying ‘happy birthday.’
- ¡Que disfrutes de tu día!
Besides birthdays, this expression can be used for other occasions as well.
- ¡Que se cumplan todos tus sueños/deseos!
After wishing someone ‘Feliz cumpleaños,’ you can continue with this expression. In English, it can be translated as ‘May all of your dreams/wishes come true!’
The expression is an ideal example to show your amazing Spanish.
- ¡Que todos tus sueños/deseos se hagan realidad!
In case you want to say the previous expression by using different words but for the meaning to remain the same, this one is a perfect synonym.
- ¡Que lo/la pases muy bien!
One more wish for birthdays and other special occasions, in the meaning ‘may you have a great time’ differs depending on the Spanish country you are in.
In Spain, the expression is used with ‘lo,’ and in Latin America, especially in Mexican Spanish, ‘la’ is used.
- ¡Pásalo/la muy bien!
This phrase is almost the same as the previous one. The only difference is in sentence construction. The meaning is the same, so it’s up to you which one you will use.
Birthday-Related Words And Phrases
Wishing someone a happy birthday and all the best isn’t enough, especially if you are preparing yourself to practice Spanish with others.
That’s why it is necessary to learn some words and phrases that are connected to the birthday.
Here are some of them.
- la fiesta de cumpleaños- birthday party
- el globo- the balloon
- el pastel/la tarta/la torta- the cake
- el confeti- the confetti
- la canción de cumpleaños- the birthday song
- la celebración/celebrar- the celebration/to celebrate
- la fiesta sorpresa- the surprise party
- los deseos- the wishes
- los invitados- the guests
- la piñata- the piñata
- los regalos/los presentes- the gifts/presents
- la sorpresa (the surprise
- las velas- the candles
- dar un regalo- to give a gift/present
- desear- to wish
- felicitar- to congratulate
- pedir un deseo- to make a wish
Talking About Birthday
Birthday parties are ideal for making new friends.
They are also a minefield when you want to practice Spanish.
So, before you get there, make sure you are equipped with the right questions and answers about birthdays.
In the following lines, you will find the most used ones.
- ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?- When's your birthday?
Mi cumpleaños es en junio.- My birthday is in June.
- ¿Cuándo es el cumpleaños de Anna?- When is Anne 's birthday?
Es el 20 de julio.- It 's on July 20th.
- ¿Cuántos años cumples?- How old are you turning?
Hoy cumplo 23.- I’m turning 23 today.
- ¿Qué quieres para tu cumpleaños?- What do you want for your birthday?
Me encantaría recibir un/una… - I would love to get a…
No necesito/quiero nada, gracias.- I don’t need/want anything, thanks.
- ¿Qué planeas hacer por tu cumpleaños?- What are you planning to do for your birthday?
Voy a dar una gran fiesta.- I’m having a big party.
Este año no daré ninguna fiesta.- I’m not having any party this year.
Don’t Forget to Sing ‘Happy Birthday’
Birthday parties, and birthdays in general, don’t go without birthday songs.
The most favorite one exists in every language, so in Spanish as well.
So, before you go to a party, prepare yourself to sing along with native Spanish speakers ‘¡Cumpleaños feliz!’
In Spanish, it goes like this:
¡Cumpleaños feliz!- Happy birthday!
¡Cumpleaños feliz!- Happy birthday!
Te deseamos todos,- We all wish you,
¡Cumpleaños feliz!- Happy birthday!
Final Thoughts
From now on, when you have to attend a birthday party, you don’t have to worry about the expressions, phrases, and birthday-related topics because you have it all in one place.
From different ways to say happy birthday to words and phrases, you can use it to talk about birthdays and celebrations along with a birthday song when the cake arrives.
Don’t try to be the center of attention (unless you are a birthday boy/girl) but your Spanish knowledge will, undoubtedly, be noticed.
If you're interested in improving your Spanish skills, you should try some of these cool options:
Check out Babbel for fun, interactive lessons that fit into your day easily.
If you want something more in-depth, there's a great Spanish course on Coursera that covers everything from the basics to more advanced topics.
And if you prefer learning with a personal touch, Lingoda offers classes with native speakers that can really help you practice speaking.
How do you wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish?
¡Feliz cumpleaños! As you’ve already learned, the most commonly used phrase to wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish is ‘¡Feliz cumpleaños!’ ¡Feliz cumple! Beside this one, ‘¡Feliz cumple!’ is equally popular. The word ‘cumple’ is a shorter version of ‘cumpleaños.’ The first phrase is used both formally and informally, while the second one is used only on informal occasions, among close friends and family members. ¡Muchas felicidades! It is common to say congratulations.’ The English equivalent of the phrase is ‘Best wishes!’ Even though it doesn’t include the word ‘birthday’ it can be used as a birthday phrase alone or after saying ‘¡Feliz cumpleaños!’
How to say Happy Birthday in Spanish?
¡Feliz cumpleaños!
