How to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish

Pinatas are as ubiquitous at Hispanic birthday parties as shouts of "Feliz Cumpleanos!"

Do you have a friend, coworker or neighbor who doesn't speak English? Wish them Happy Birthday in their own language; it will be a special greeting for them.

Instructions

1. Happy birthday in Spanish is "Feliz Cumpleaños." Feliz is pronounced the same as in Feliz Navidad (think Jose Feliciano) -- fell-eez. Cumpleaños is a bit tougher. Coom-play-ANyos. Practice it first.

   Many Hispanics sing "The Happy Birthday Song" with the following words

   "Feliz Cumpleaños a ti" so you can try that as well. Fell-EEZ coom-play-ANyos ah tee.

2. When someone has a birthday or other special occasion it is good to say, Congratulations! "Felicidades!" That is a great phrase to put on a birthday cake or a homemade birthday card as well.

3. To ask someone how old they are, you can say, "Cuantos años tiene?" or QUAN-tose ANyos tee-YEN-ay? (Literally: How many years do you have?) If you want to joke around with them you could say "Muy viejo!" Moo-ee vee-AYho (very old), or "Muy joven!" Moo-ee ho-VEN (very young).

4. Finally, you can wish them many more happy birthdays. "Que cumple muchos años mas!" -- Kay coom-play MOO-chohs ANyos mahs! -- May you have many more birthdays!

Tips & Warnings

• Give it your best try. It doesn't have to be perfect, but if you get close they will know what you mean.

References

• SpanishDict: English To Spanish Translotor