Happy Birthday in Spanish: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage

It is Feliz cumpleaños in Spanish. You may use it to brighten up someone’s day. If you are a learner of this language or a novice. Then knowing how it is spoken and in which situations to apply will be helpful.

Pronunciation

It is feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos.

Breakdown:
• Fe → feh
• Liz → lees
• Cum → koom
• Ple → pleh
• Años → AH-nyos

The “z” in feliz is “s” in Latin America. But it is “th” in Spain.

Use Formal and Informal

Though you can say feliz cumpleaños to anybody at any moment when you feel like it, one may wish him or her more or less formally as per the degree with which one feels about the person.

Formal
• ¡Que sea un feliz cumpleaños! (May it be a happy birthday.)

Informal
• ¡Feliz cumple! (Happy birthday, short speech.)
• ¡Felicidades, Ana! (Congrats, Ana!)

Also Read: Thank You in Spanish: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage

How to Respond to It

Other people would also like to wish you a happy birthday. But you can answer in one of many friendly ways.

Polite answers:
• Gracias. (Thanks.)
• Muchas gracias. (Thank very much.)
• Gracias, lo mismo a ti. (Thanks, the same to you.)
• Gracias por habérmelo recordado. (Thanks for having remembered you.)
• Gracias, lo valoro mucho. (Thank you, I value a lot.)

Real Life Examples

• When texting: ¡Felicidades! Pásala bien hoy. (Congratulations! Have a good time today.)
  • Formal welcome: Le deseo un feliz cumpleaños y mucho éxito. (I wish you a happy birthday and much success.)

Cultural Note

A Spanish birthday is a smiling day of song, food and family.
“Les deseamos” or formal “Bienvenidos” or “Les deseamos un feliz cumpleaños” is party and birthday time too.
Singing Mexico’s birthday favorite song Las Mañanitas is the tradition.
Cheek hugging or cheek kissing is a birthday greeting.
In Latin America, they welcome the guest of honor. Which is with flowers, balloons, and presents.

Example
• Felíz cumpleaños de parte. (Happy birthday from.)

Interesting Facts About Feliz Cumpleaños

• The term cumpleaños was actually invented by mixing the word cumplir (to fill) up and sticking it at the beginning of años (years) or “to fill years.”
  • It is also commonly referred to as cumple, and it is what the younger generation prefers.
  • Most Latin American birthday customs include children’s birthday parties with piñatas and dinner parties for adults.

Happy birthday is just such a festive birthday greeting to master.
It gets us in the mood. It also brings everyone together to celebrate.
Practice writing it out, on a birthday card or in a text message.
So the next time when you are at someone else’s birthday. Just say it to their face with a hug and a smile and say: ¡Feliz cumpleaños!