{"id":13152,"date":"2022-10-06T18:42:41","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T16:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liberatuespanol.com\/wishing-someone-a-happy-birthday-in-spanish\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T16:18:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:18:56","slug":"wishing-someone-a-happy-birthday-in-spanish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.liberatuespanol.com\/en\/wishing-someone-a-happy-birthday-in-spanish\/","title":{"rendered":"How to say \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d in Spanish"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”18px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”How to wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish: useful phrases and vocabulary” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Hello, traveller! <\/span><\/p>\n

October is going to be an exciting month for me because it\u2019s my birthday month.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a1Qu\u00e9 guay! (cool, che bello!)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s also a super fun topic to discuss in Spanish lessons.<\/span><\/p>\n

I love finding out if my students are celebrating their birthdays, whether they\u2019re familiar with the vocabulary and phrases we use, and also comparing our customs with those of their home countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re learning Spanish and want to wish someone a happy birthday in a natural way, in this article you\u2019ll learn phrases, vocabulary and Spanish customs<\/strong> for celebrating a birthday in Spanish.<\/span> <\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, these expressions are just the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n


During my language immersion experiences in northern Spain, you also learn to communicate in real-life situations: congratulating someone, ordering in restaurants or chatting with locals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 Download the<\/strong> <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Gu\u00eda gratuita de frases b\u00e1sicas en espa\u00f1ol para viajar<\/a>“<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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SPANISH BIRTHDAY VOCABULARY <\/span><\/h3>\n

Are you ready to plan your next birthday party in Spanish? Below, you\u2019ll learn eight useful words to describe the most important details. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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COMMON VERBS FOR TALKING ABOUT BIRTHDAYS IN SPANISH<\/span><\/h3>\n

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First of all, the word \u2018CUMPLEA\u00d1OS\u2019 translates as \u2018BIRTHDAY\u2019 in English or \u2018COMPLEANNO\u2019 in Italian.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some very useful verbs for talking about birthdays in Spanish are: CELEBRAR (to celebrate<\/em>), DESEAR (to wish<\/em>), RECORDAR (to remember<\/em>), SER (to be)<\/em> and CUMPLIR (to have a birthday<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples:<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Hoy celebro<\/strong> mi cumplea\u00f1os, cumplo<\/strong> 62 a\u00f1os.<\/span><\/p>\n

Te deseo<\/strong> un feliz cumplea\u00f1os, Ana.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recuerda <\/strong>que hoy es<\/strong> el cumplea\u00f1os de mam\u00e1, tenemos que comprarle un regalo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marta cumple<\/strong> 40 a\u00f1os, tenemos que organizar una gran fiesta.<\/span><\/p>\n

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BIRTHDAY WISHES IN SPANISH<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Here are the most popular and useful phrases for congratulating someone in Spanish:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \n
  • \u00a1FELIZ CUMPLEA\u00d1OS! (Happy Birthday, Buon compleanno!)<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00a1MUCHAS FELICIDADES!<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00a1QUE CUMPLAS MUCHOS M\u00c1S! (Many happy returns<\/em>)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • TE DESEO LO MEJOR EN TU D\u00cdA (Wishing your all the best on your special day<\/em>)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n

    It is customary for the person being congratulated to reply \u2018thank you\u2019 – “gracias o muchas gracias”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

    SPANISH BIRTHDAY CUSTOMS<\/span><\/h3>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n

    On birthdays, we usually ring or text the person we want to wish a happy birthday<\/span>. If we have the chance to see them in person, we give them two kisses on the cheek and say \u201chappy birthday\u201d<\/strong> or one of the phrases mentioned above.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    One of the customs in Spain is \u2018tirar de las orejas\u2019<\/strong> (pulling the ears<\/em>). This tradition symbolises the wish that the person being congratulated will have a long life. We pull their ears once for every year they have lived. <\/span><\/p>\n

    How people choose to celebrate their birthdays varies from person to person. We usually celebrate birthdays in the evening, after work, or at the weekend, and organise a birthday party <\/strong>with family and friends. <\/span><\/p>\n

    If the party\u2019s at home, we\u2019ll prepare a special meal or some tapas for dinner, for example. Then we\u2019ll have CAKE (TARTA)<\/strong> for dessert. <\/span><\/p>\n

    The cake is topped with birthday candles<\/strong> and everyone at the table sings \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d<\/strong>. After the song, the birthday boy or girl makes a wish and blows out the candles<\/strong> and then we share the cake. <\/span><\/p>\n

    We could also hold the party at a restaurant.<\/span><\/p>\n

    After blowing out the candles, family and friends usually hand over the presents. In Spain, it is customary to open the presents straight away, in front of everyone. <\/span><\/p>\n

    The person receiving the gifts says thank you and gives hugs and kisses.<\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n

    This is how birthdays are usually celebrated in Spain. Do you do the same in your country, or do you have different traditions? <\/span>
    <\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a1Hasta pronto!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Nuria <\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

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