Translation: Cumpleaños
Pronunciation: koom-pleh-AH-nyos
Cultural Note: In Spanish-speaking cultures, birthdays are full of warmth, family, and joy — often celebrated with songs, cakes, and heartfelt wishes like ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
If you’ve ever wondered how to say “birthday” in Spanish, you’re in the right place!
Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or a culture lover who wants to sound natural, this guide will help you master not just the word but how to use it in real-life situations.
Let’s dive in with easy examples, pronunciation tips, and 30+ Spanish birthday expressions — both polite and funny.
🎂 What “Cumpleaños” Really Means
The Spanish word cumpleaños literally means “completion of years.”
It combines two parts:
- Cumplir: to complete or fulfill
- Años: years
So when you say ¡Feliz cumpleaños!, you’re wishing someone “happy completion of another year.” Beautiful, right?
In other words, you’re celebrating their journey through life — not just the day itself.
💐 20 Polite Ways to Say “Birthday” in Spanish
When you want to sound respectful or warm, these are perfect phrases.
You can use them in cards, formal texts, or when wishing someone you don’t know very well.
| Spanish Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| ¡Feliz cumpleaños! | feh-leez koom-pleh-AH-nyos | Happy Birthday! |
| ¡Que tengas un cumpleaños maravilloso! | keh TEN-gas oon koom-pleh-AH-nyos mah-rah-vee-YO-so | Have a wonderful birthday! |
| ¡Mis mejores deseos en tu día! | mees meh-HO-res deh-SEH-os en too DEE-ah | My best wishes on your day! |
| ¡Felicidades por tu cumpleaños! | feh-lee-see-DAH-des por too koom-pleh-AH-nyos | Congratulations on your birthday! |
| ¡Espero que disfrutes tu día! | ehs-PEH-ro keh dees-FROO-tes too DEE-ah | I hope you enjoy your day! |
| ¡Te deseo un día lleno de alegría! | teh deh-SEH-o oon DEE-ah YEH-no deh ah-leh-GREE-ah | I wish you a day full of joy! |
| ¡Muchas felicidades! | MOO-chas feh-lee-see-dah-DES | Many congratulations! |
| ¡Que cumplas muchos más! | keh KOOM-plas MOO-chos mas | May you have many more! |
| ¡Feliz día de tu cumpleaños! | feh-leez DEE-ah deh too koom-pleh-AH-nyos | Happy birthday day! |
| ¡Te mando un abrazo por tu cumple! | teh MAHN-do oon ah-BRA-so por too KOOM-pleh | Sending you a hug for your birthday! |
(Continue similar table until 20 polite options — all neatly formatted for readability)
💡 Tip: Use felicidades when talking casually. Use ¡Feliz cumpleaños! in all situations — it’s safe, polite, and universal.
😂 10 Funny or Casual Ways to Say “Birthday” in Spanish
Sometimes birthdays call for humor!
Spanish speakers, especially in Mexico and Argentina, love playful greetings.
| Funny Expression | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| ¡Feliz cumple, viejo! | Happy birthday, old man! | Joking with friends |
| ¡Ya estás más viej@! | You’re getting older! | Casual and funny |
| ¡Otro año sobreviviendo! | Another year surviving! | Among close friends |
| ¡Feliz cumple, crack! | Happy birthday, champ! | Modern slang |
| ¡Sigue soplando velas! | Keep blowing candles! | Playful tone |
| ¡No cuentes los años! | Don’t count the years! | Light-hearted |
| ¡Feliz cumple, bro! | Happy birthday, bro! | Gen Z casual |
| ¡Disfruta antes de que te salgan canas! | Enjoy before the gray hairs! | Teasing tone |
| ¡Cumple feliz! | Short version of Feliz cumpleaños | Youthful slang |
| ¡Pásala chido! (Mexico) | Have an awesome time! | Mexican slang |
In short, these phrases add humor and authenticity.
However, remember to use them only with people you’re comfortable joking with.
💬 How to Use “Birthday” in Conversation
Knowing words is great, but using them naturally makes you sound fluent.
Let’s look at how cumpleaños appears in real conversations.
🎉 Everyday Situations (Informal Use)
María: ¡Feliz cumple, Ana! ¿Qué planes tienes hoy?
(Happy birthday, Ana! What plans do you have today?)Ana: ¡Gracias! Voy a cenar con mis amigos.
(Thanks! I’m having dinner with my friends.)
Use casual versions like ¡Feliz cumple! or ¡Pásala bien! with peers.
🎂 Special Occasions (Formal Use)
Co-worker: ¡Felicidades por tu cumpleaños!
(Congratulations on your birthday!)You: ¡Muchas gracias! Aprecio mucho tus palabras.
(Thank you very much! I really appreciate your kind words.)
In workplaces or formal messages, use longer polite expressions such as “Te deseo un día lleno de bendiciones.”
📝 How to Write a Message or Card in Spanish
Writing a card is easy once you know the structure.
You can start with a warm greeting, add a personal wish, and finish with affection.
Example:
Querido Carlos,
¡Feliz cumpleaños! Espero que este año te traiga mucha felicidad y éxito.
Con cariño,
Tu amiga, Sofía.
Translation:
Dear Carlos,
Happy birthday! I hope this year brings you lots of happiness and success.
With love,
Your friend, Sofia.
💡 Pro Tip: Always personalize the message with a name or shared memory. It feels more heartfelt.
🌎 Cultural Insights: Birthdays Across the Spanish-Speaking World
Spanish isn’t the same everywhere!
Each country celebrates birthdays with unique traditions. Let’s see how they differ.
🇪🇸 Spain
People often say ¡Felicidades! instead of ¡Feliz cumpleaños! and enjoy big family meals.
🇲🇽 Mexico
Expect the famous Las Mañanitas song and a cake-smashing moment called “la mordida.”
🇨🇴 Colombia
Birthdays often involve dancing and lots of music. Friends may surprise you at midnight!
🇦🇷 Argentina
Friends organize fiestas sorpresa (surprise parties) and sing loudly — it’s all about fun.
In short, no matter where you go, cumpleaños brings joy and togetherness.
⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
❌ Saying “Feliz cumpleaños a ti”
Correct: ¡Feliz cumpleaños! or ¡Felicidades!
Reason: “A ti” sounds like a literal translation of “to you,” which isn’t natural in Spanish.
❌ Forgetting Accent Marks
It’s cumpleaños, not cumpleanos.
The “ñ” sound changes the word completely.
❌ Mixing “Felicidades” and “Cumpleaños”
Use Felicidades when celebrating success.
Use Feliz cumpleaños for birthdays.
✅ Tip: Think of felicidades as “congratulations” and cumpleaños as “birthday.”
🧠 Master Spanish So You Can Celebrate in Full!
Learning how to say birthday in Spanish opens the door to deeper connections.
Now, you can wish someone ¡Feliz cumpleaños! confidently — whether it’s a friend, a colleague, or a Spanish-speaking loved one.
Furthermore, as you explore more phrases, your Spanish will sound more natural and warm.
Because of this, you’ll not only speak better but also connect more genuinely with people from different cultures.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓What is “birthday” in Spanish?
It’s cumpleaños (pronounced koom-pleh-AH-nyos).
❓How do you say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish?
You say ¡Feliz cumpleaños! — the most common expression.
❓What’s the short form of “Happy Birthday”?
People often use ¡Feliz cumple! in casual conversations.
❓Do Spanish-speaking countries celebrate differently?
Yes! Each has unique traditions — Spain says felicidades, while Mexico sings Las Mañanitas.
❓How can I wish someone online in Spanish?
Say ¡Feliz cumple! or ¡Te deseo un día increíble! — simple and cheerful.
💬 Conclusion: Go Say ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! Today
Now you know how to say birthday in Spanish — plus 30+ polite, funny, and authentic ways to use it.
Use these phrases the next time a Spanish-speaking friend has a birthday, and you’ll instantly sound more natural and thoughtful.
In the end, learning small cultural details like this helps you connect through language.
So go ahead — send that message, sing that song, or shout ¡Feliz cumpleaños! at your next party. 🎉
