How to Say ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish: 65+ Celebratory Phrases

If you have Spanish-speaking friends, you probably want to wish them a happy birthday in their native language. The most common way to say "happy birthday" in Spanish is to "feliz cumpleaños" (fay-LEES koom-play-AHN-yohs). But, we’ll also go over other Spanish birthday messages you can say to your friends and acquaintances—from hilarious bday jokes to sweet and polite birthday messages . Plus, we’ll clue you in on the Spanish happy birthday songs and other birthday traditions from around the Spanish-speaking world . ¡Vamos!

How do you say ‘happy birthday’ in Spanish?

“Feliz cumpleaños” is the best way to say “happy birthday” in Spanish. Pronounce the phrase as ( fay-LEES koom-play-AHN-yohs ). If desired, you can add a person’s name or relationship to the end, e.g., “Feliz cumpleaños, Leonor” or “Feliz cumpleaños, amigo.”

Section 1 of 8:

How to Say ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish

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Say “¡Feliz cumpleaños!”, which means “happy birthday.” The best way to greet someone in Spanish on their birthday is to say “feliz cumpleaños” (fay-LEES koom-play-AHN-yohs), which works in any situation. “Feliz” means “happy,” while “cumpleaños” means “birthday,” so this phrase is a direct translation. “Cumpleaños” comes from the verb “cumplir,” which means “to complete,” as in you’re “completing” another year of your life on your birthday. ^{[1]
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- Some other common ways to say happy birthday in Spanish include:
  - “Feliz cumple” = “Happy b-day!”
    - Pronunciation: [fay-LEES KOOM-play]
    - Note: This phrase is more informal, but still means “happy birthday.”
  - “Feliz vuelta al sol” = “Happy lap around the sun!”
    - Pronunciation: [fay-LEES voo-ELL-tah ahl sohl]
  - “Felicidades” = “Congratulations!”
    - Pronunciation: [fay-lees-ee-DAH-days]
  - “Felicitaciones” = “Congratulations!”
    - Pronunciation: [fay-lees-ee-tah-see-OWN-ace]
    - Note: “Felicitaciones” is the slightly more formal version of “felicidades.”
- You could also add the name of the birthday person or their relationship to you, if you feel so inclined. For example, if you’re wishing your mother a happy birthday , you might say, “¡Feliz cumpleaños, mamá!”

Section 2 of 8:

How to Say ‘Happy Belated Birthday’ in Spanish

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Say “feliz cumpleaños atrasado,” which means “happy belated birthday.” If you’ve missed someone’s birthday by a few days or a week, then you should wish them a happy belated birthday to acknowledge that their birthday has already passed. In Spanish, you can do this by adding the word “atrasado” (ah-trahs-AH-doh) to the end of your birthday greeting. Putting it all together, you’ll wish someone a happy belated birthday by saying “¡Feliz cumpleaños atrasado!” (fay-LEES koom-play-AHN-yohs ah-trahs-AH-doh). ^{[2]
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Section 3 of 8:

Sweet Birthday Wishes in Spanish

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While you’ve already learned the literal way to say “happy birthday” in Spanish, there are plenty of other ways to express your well wishes to someone on their special day. Here are some expecially sweet, polite, and heartfelt birthday wishes that could work for almost anyone in your life: ^{[3]
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Spanish	English
¡Te deseo lo mejor!	I wish you the best!
Te deseo todo lo mejor en tu cumpleaños.	I wish you the best on your birthday.
¡Pásala muy bien	Have a great time!
¡Que cumplas muchos más!	Hope you have many more [birthdays]!
¡Que tengas un cumpleaños maravilloso!	Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
¡Que tengas un día especial!	Hope you have a special day!
¡Que tengas muchos más!	Many happy returns!
¡Gracias por haber nacido!	Thanks for being born!
Feliz cumpleaños, mi amor.	Happy birthday, my love.
Otro año alrededor del sol – ¡Feliz cumpleaños!	Another year around the sun - happy birthday!
¡Mis mejores deseos en tu cumpleaños!	Best birthday wishes to you!
¡Espero que todos tus deseos de cumpleaños se cumplan!	Hope all your birthday wishes come true!
Feliz cumpleaños, ¡que la pases bien!	Happy birthday, have a good one!
Feliz cumpleaños, ¡espero que disfrutes tu día!	Happy birthday, I hope you enjoy your day!
¡Que tu día esté lleno de risas!	May your birthday be filled with laughter!
Te deseo muchas más velitas para soplar.	Wishing you many more candles to blow.
Te deseo un día tan especial como tú lo eres.	Wishing you a day that is as special as you are.
Por buena salud y felicidad, feliz cumpleaños.	To good health and happiness, happy birthday.
¡Feliz día de pastel!	Happy cake day!
¡Que tengas un gran cumpleaños! ¡Te lo mereces!	Have a great birthday! You deserve it!

Section 4 of 8:

Funny Birthday Wishes in Spanish

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If you’ve got a Spanish speaker in your life that loves a bit of comedy, then we’ve got the frases perfectas for you! These birthday wishes are great because they send your love, affection, and just a little bit of mischief along with them: ^{[4]
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Spanish	English
¡Feliz Cumpleaños! Pero, por favor deja de crecer. ¡Es una trampa!	Happy Birthday! But please stop growing up. It’s a trap!
Que vivas tanto que tus arrugas tengan sus propias arrugas. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!	May you live so long your wrinkles have wrinkles. Happy Birthday!
¡Feliz Cumpleaños! ¡Por un año más lleno de decisiones cuestionables!	Happy Birthday! Here’s to another year of questionable life decisions!
Un verdadero amigo se acuerda de tu cumpleaños pero no de tu edad.	A true friend remembers your birthday but not your age.
¡Felicidades por estar un poco más viejo!	Congratulations on getting slightly older!
Todos tienen la oportunidad de ser jóvenes alguna vez. Hoy es oficial. Tu turno ha terminado. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!	Everyone gets to be young once. Today it’s official. Your turn is over. Happy Birthday!
¡Feliz cumpleaños! Estoy super contento de que hayas nacido.	Happy birthday! Super glad you were born.
¿Mayor? Definitivamente. ¿Más sabio? Discutible. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!	Older? Definitely. Wiser? Debatable. Happy Birthday!
¡Te deseo un cumpleaños más feliz que cualquier otra persona te ha deseado!	I wish you a happier birthday than anyone else has wished you!
¡Felicidades por sobrevivir otros 365 días!	Congratulations on getting through another 365 days!
Feliz día de lo-más-viejo-que-has-sido y lo-más-joven-que-jamás-serás.	Happy oldest-you-have-ever-been and youngest-you-will-ever-be-again day.
¡Feliz día de subir de nivel!	Happy level up day!
¿Qué no celebramos esto hace como un año? ¡Feliz cumpleaños!	Didn’t we just celebrate this like a year ago? Happy birthday!
¡Feliz cumpleaños! Y si alguien te dice que estás viejo, ¡pégales con tu bastón!	Happy birthday! And if somebody says you're old, hit them with your walking stick!
Ya sé que es tu día especial, pero por favor tómalo con calma. Muchos cumpleaños te pueden matar.	I know it’s your special day, but please take it slow. Too many birthdays can kill you.
Como un buen vino, ¡solo mejoras con los años!	Like a fine wine, you only get better with time!
¡Feliz día de atascarte de pastel!	Happy stuff your face with cake day!
¡Feliz cumpleaños a una de las pocas personas cuyo cumpleaños puedo recordar sin un recordatorio de Facebook!	Happy birthday to one of the few people whose birthday I can remember without a Facebook reminder.
Feliz cumpleaños, y recuerda que crecer es obligatorio, pero ¡madurar es opcional!	Happy birthday, and remember that growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional!
Hoy es una gran excusa para que tomes malas decisiones. ¡Vámonos de fiesta!	Today’s a great excuse for you to make some bad decisions. Let’s party!

Section 5 of 8:

Spanish Vocabulary Related to Birthdays

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If you want to go beyond just wishing someone a happy birthday—if you’re attending their birthday party with many Spanish speakers, let’s say—then you’ll want to be able to ask and say more in Spanish than just “feliz cumpleaños.” Here’s some of the most important vocab you need to know to discuss birthday-related topics in Spanish: ^{[5]
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Spanish	English
¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?	When is your birthday?
Mi cumpleaños es el 15 de octubre.	My birthday is on October 15th.
¿Cuántos años cumples?	How old are you turning?
Cumplo trece (13). / Estoy cumpliendo trece (13).	I’m turning 13.
¿Qué vas a hacer en tu cumpleaños?	What are you going to do on your birthday?
Voy a hacer una fiesta.	I’m going to have a party.
¿Qué quieres hacer en tu cumpleaños?	What do you want to do for your birthday?
Quiero pasar el día de mi cumpleaños con amigos.	I want to spend my birthday with my friends.
¿Qué quieres para tu cumpleaños?	What do you want for your birthday?
Yo quiero una computadora nueva.	I want a new computer.
¿De qué sabor te gusta el pastel?	What kind of cake flavor do you prefer?
Me gusta el pastel de chocolate.	I like chocolate cake.
¿Qué te regalaron de cumpleaños?	What did you get for your birthday?
Me regalaron unos libros y un juego de mesa.	I got some books and a board game.
¿Qué tal estuvo tu cumpleaños?	How was your birthday?
La fiesta de cumpleaños	Birthday party
Los globos	Balloons
El cumpleañero / La cumpleañera	Birthday boy / Birthday girl
El pastel	Cake
Los deseos	Wishes

Section 6 of 8:

How to Sing the Happy Birthday Song in Spanish

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1
There are three common, standard versions of the birthday song in Spanish. Each of these variations on the “Happy birthday song” is well-known in Spanish-speaking countries, although each culture may have one song that’s more prevalent and popular. For example, people in Spain are likely to sing Version #3 (as listed below), while people in Argentina generally sing Version #2, and Colombians might sing Version #1. All three songs are sung in the same tune as the English Happy Birthday song. ^{[6]
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- ¡Cumpleaños feliz,
  te deseamos a ti!
  ¡Feliz cumpleaños (name)!
  ¡Cumpleaños feliz! (Version #1)
  - “A happy birthday / we wish to you! Happy birthday, (name)! / Happy birthday!”
- Que los cumplas feliz
  Que los cumplas feliz
  Que los cumplas, (nombre)
  Que los cumplas feliz. (Version #2)
  - “May you have a happy birthday / May you have a happy birthday / May you have a happy birthday, (name) / May you have a happy birthday.”
- ¡Cumpleaños feliz!
  ¡Cumpleaños feliz!
  ¡Te deseamos todos
  Cumpleaños feliz! (Version #3)
  - “Happy birthday to you! / Happy birthday to you! / We all wish / A happy birthday to you!”
2
“Las Mañanitas” can also be sung as an alternative Spanish birthday song. “Las Mañanitas” is a very famous and traditional birthday song that’s most popularly sung in Mexico (although other Spanish-speaking cultures may also sing it). This tune is very long, however, so we’ll provide the first and most well-known verse below (you can listen to the rest here ): ^{[7]
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- Estas son las mañanitas
  Que cantaba el Rey David
  Hoy por ser día de tu santo
  Te las cantamos a ti
  Despierta, mi bien, despierta
  Mira que ya amaneció
  Ya los pajaritos cantan
  La luna ya se metió.
  - “These are the mañanitas / That King David sang / Today being your saint’s day / We sing them to you / Wake up, my good, wake up / Look, the dawn is breaking / The birds are singing / The moon has already set.”}}
EXPERT TIP

Alejandra Alfonzo
Spanish Language Instructor
Alejandra Alfonzo is a Language Instructor based in Roseland, New Jersey. She runs her own language tutoring business, Spanish Con Ale. She teaches both English and Spanish, offering online private and group classes tailored to meet her clients' personal and professional goals while making the learning experience fun. Alejandra has been a language teacher since 2011 and is committed to exploring the challenges and rewards that come with learning a new language with her students. Spanish Con Ale offers personalized learning sessions, private lesson packages, and Cafecito Con Ale, a language exchange membership where members have the opportunity to meet and socialize with others while improving their language skills. Alejandra is a certified spanish teacher, holds a Education Master's in teaching English as a Foreign Language from University of Carabobo, and received a BA in Modern Languages from Arturo Michelena University and a certificate in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

Alejandra Alfonzo
Spanish Language Instructor

When you’re learning Spanish, focus on vowel pronunciation and softened consonants. Focus on pronouncing the vowels, which are always the same (a, e, i, o, y), and try to reduce the tendency to make consonants sound very explosive. For example, the letter “p” is very strong in English, but in Spanish it’s very soft.

Section 7 of 8:

Birthday Traditions in Spanish-Speaking Cultures

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1
Family celebrations In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a birthday is considered a family affair. Even though friends may be invited to the party, birthday parties are traditionally thrown by the family of the birthday celebrant. The whole family, including extended family, is typically there. ^{[8]
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- If you're a friend at one of these parties, expect the family to be warm, loving, and inviting. Especially in Spain, you may find yourself hugging a lot of people you don't know.
  - Keep in mind, however, that there are 'many Spanish-speaking countries with various norms and traditions, so these practices may not be universal among Hispanic cultures!**
2
Quinceañera In some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, a girl's 15th birthday signifies her coming of age and is celebrated with a quinceañera party. The event traditionally begins with a church service and requires formal attire. The “festejada” (birthday girl) traditionally wears an elaborate gown and will receive gifts from her family (including tiaras and jewelry). ^{[9]
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- Part of the church service is the "misa de acción de gracias," through which the girl gives thanks for completing childhood.
- The party typically involves an elaborate banquet of food, followed by music and dancing that can last into the wee hours of the morning.
3
Tres leches A “tres leches” cake is a giant, multi-colored cake that serves as a centerpiece for many birthday parties in Mexico. These cakes are often decorated in a theme that reflects a trait or interest of the birthday celebration. ^{[10]
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- For example, if the person celebrating their birthday is a huge fútbol fan, you could expect the "tres leches" cake to be iced to look like a fútbol pitch, complete with tiny players and fans in the grandstands cheering on their teams.
4
Piñatas A piñata is one of the most well-known Latinx traditions. These brightly colored paper-mâché figures come in various shapes and sizes and are filled with small toys and sweets. Partygoers take turns trying to hit the piñata with a stick until it bursts, spraying goodies everywhere for all the guests to collect and enjoy. ^{[11]
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- While partygoers attempt to hit the piñata, the other guests sing the traditional piñata song, which begins with "Dale, dale, dale." The song encourages the hitter to have good aim and hit the piñata so it bursts and rains down sweets.
- You might think of a donkey-shaped piñata as the most traditional version, but these mules are typically only sold in the U.S. and Europe. They’re actually rarely seen in Latin American countries. Instead, the piñata is often shaped to reflect the theme of the tres leches cake.
5
Cake-smashing In Mexico, as well as some other Spanish-speaking countries, the birthday celebrant’s hands are tied behind their back and their face is smashed into their birthday cake (so that they can take the first bite!). All around them, partygoers chant “¡Mordida!” ^{[12]
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- The word “mordida” (more-DEE-dah) means “bite.” In this context, the party guests are encouraging the birthday person to take the first bite of their birthday cake.
Tip: Music plays a huge role in Spanish and Latin American culture. As with the piñata, there is a song traditionally associated with "la mordida." If you go to a Spanish or Latin American birthday party, expect to hear music and singing well into the evening.
6
Symbolic gifts In many Spanish-speaking countries, but particularly in Spain, birthday gifts are typically not particularly elaborate or expensive. Children usually receive small presents like books, toys, and candy. Adults may not get any presents at all. ^{[13]
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- If you don't feel right attending a birthday party without a gift, consider a small present such as a calendar, a mug, or a nice pen.

Section 8 of 8:

How to Write a Birthday Card in Spanish

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1

Start with a formal or informal greeting like “estimado” or “querido.” To begin your birthday card, choose an opening that reflects your relationship with the person you’re celebrating. If you have a close and personal relationship (e.g, a friend, family member, or significant other), you might opt for “Querido” (for a male recipient) or “querida” (for a female recipient), both of which mean “Dear” and “Beloved.” If you have a more formal relationship with the birthday celebrant (e.g., a distant relative or authority figure), use “Estimado” (male) or “Estimada” (female), which both mean “Esteemed” and “Dear.” ^{[14]
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2
Write about your relationship with them and wish them well. The body of the card is the most personal and should be customized to reflect your relationship with the birthday celebrant. Consider writing about what you admire about the person, your memories together, or how excited you are to celebrate your birthday with them. Here are some example birthday wishes to give you some ideas:
- “Que tu cumpleaños sea tan maravilloso como tú. Estoy muy agradecida por ser tu amigo y por celebrar tu día especial contigo.”
  - May your birthday be as marvelous as you. I’m very grateful to be your friend and to be celebrating your special day with you.
- “En tu día especial, te deseo toda la felicidad que das a los demás cada dia. Me da mucha alegria ser tu compañero de trabajo—¡eres una persona increíble!”
  - On your special day, I’m wishing you all of the happiness that you give to everyone else every day. It brings me so much joy to be your co-worker—you’re an incredible person!
- “Por un cumpleaños fenomenal y otro año lleno de aventuras, éxito, y sorpresas buenas. ¡Felicidades a ti!”
  - Here’s to a phenomenal birthday and another year full of adventure, success, and good surprises. Congrats to you!
EXPERT TIP

Alejandra Alfonzo
Spanish Language Instructor
Alejandra Alfonzo is a Language Instructor based in Roseland, New Jersey. She runs her own language tutoring business, Spanish Con Ale. She teaches both English and Spanish, offering online private and group classes tailored to meet her clients' personal and professional goals while making the learning experience fun. Alejandra has been a language teacher since 2011 and is committed to exploring the challenges and rewards that come with learning a new language with her students. Spanish Con Ale offers personalized learning sessions, private lesson packages, and Cafecito Con Ale, a language exchange membership where members have the opportunity to meet and socialize with others while improving their language skills. Alejandra is a certified spanish teacher, holds a Education Master's in teaching English as a Foreign Language from University of Carabobo, and received a BA in Modern Languages from Arturo Michelena University and a certificate in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

Alejandra Alfonzo
Spanish Language Instructor

Don’t worry too much about your Spanish being completely perfect. When people try to use Spanish, they’re welcomed. It doesn’t matter if you have an accent. An accent just means you have the courage to speak another language.
3
End your card with a sign-off that reflects your relationship. To sign your birthday letter, write a Spanish sign-off phrase followed by a comma and your name. Choose a sign-off phrase that matches the formality of your relationship: opt for something informal if the birthday celebrant is a partner, friend, or close relative; opt for something formal if the birthday celebrant is a professional acquaintance, an authority figure, or a distant relative. Here are some options: ^{[15]
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- Formal:
  - “Con los mejores deseos” = Warmest regards
  - “Sinceramente” = Sincerely
  - “Saludos cordiales” = Kind regards
- Informal:
  - “Con todo mi amor” = With all my love
  - “Abrazos y besos” = Hugs and kisses
  - “Tu amigo” = Your friend

Saying ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish: Cheat Sheets

Sample Ways to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish

Sample Spanish Birthday Song

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How do you say "Happy Birthday, my friend. Enjoy, God bless"?

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You can say, "Feliz cumpleaños, mi amigo." (Happy birthday, my friend.) And, "Disfrute, Dios los bendiga." (Enjoy, God bless.)

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How do you say "Happy birthday, Dad"?

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"¡Feliz cumpleaños papá!" Pronounced the same way as above, and "papá" pronounced how it's spelled, with the stress on the second syllable.

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What is "happy 2nd birthday" in Spanish?

Donagan

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Feliz segundo cumpleaños.

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How to Say ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish: 65+ Celebratory Phrases

How do you say ‘happy birthday’ in Spanish?

Steps

How to Say ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish

How to Say ‘Happy Belated Birthday’ in Spanish

Sweet Birthday Wishes in Spanish

Funny Birthday Wishes in Spanish

Spanish Vocabulary Related to Birthdays

How to Sing the Happy Birthday Song in Spanish

Birthday Traditions in Spanish-Speaking Cultures

How to Write a Birthday Card in Spanish

Saying ‘Happy Birthday’ in Spanish: Cheat Sheets

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