How to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish

Expressing Basic Birthday Wishes

Say "¡Feliz cumpleaños!" This phrase means "happy birthday" and is used to greet someone on their birthday. It is suitable for anyone in any situation. Pronounce "feliz cumpleaños" fay-LEEZ KOOM-play-ahn-yohs. You can add the name of the person or their relationship to you if you feel so inclined. For example, if you were wishing happy birthday to your mother, you might say "¡Feliz cumpleaños, mi madre!" If you want to say "happy birthday" in a more informal way to a friend, you can also say "feliz cumple" (fay-LEEZ KOOM-play).

Use "felicidades" to express general congratulations. "Felicidades" (fay-lee-see-DAH-days) means "congratulations." While it may seem odd for you to tell someone "congratulations" on their birthday, it's a common birthday wish for Spanish-speakers. This is especially appropriate if you've already wished the person a happy birthday once. For example, if you were attending a friend's birthday party, you might say "feliz cumpleaños" when you arrived, then say "felicidades" as you were leaving. You can also say "felicidades en tu día," which means "congratulations on your day."

Tell the birthday celebrant you hope they have many more. On someone's birthday, it's common to wish them a long life or express the hope that they celebrate many more birthdays to follow. If you wanted to express this sentiment in Spanish, you would say "¡Que cumplas muchos más!" A literal translation of the phrase would be "that you complete many more." Pronounce it "kay KOOM-plahs MOO-chohs mahs."

Sing the "Happy Birthday" song in Spanish. The basic Spanish birthday song uses the same tune as the song in English, which you may already be familiar with. However, the Spanish lyrics don't necessarily translate directly to the lyrics in English. The lyrics for the basic Latin American birthday song are: "¡Feliz cumpleaños a ti! ¡Feliz cumpleaños a ti! Feliz cumpleaños querido/a (name), feliz cumpleaños a ti. Ya queremos pastel, Ya queremos pastel, aunque sea un pedacito, pero queremos pastel." In Spain, on the other hand, you would sing "Cumpleaños feliz, cumpleaños feliz, te deseamos todos, cumpleaños feliz."Tip: Happy birthday songs can get rather elaborate in Spanish cultures. Many Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Chile, have their own versions of the traditional "happy birthday" song, some of which have multiple verses and can be quite lengthy.

Celebrating Birthdays in Spain or Latin America

Prepare to celebrate with the entire family. In 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 are typically there. 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.

Recognize the significance of the quinceañera for a 15-year-old girl. In Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, a girl's 15th birthday signifies her coming of age. The occasion traditionally begins with a church service and requires formal attire. Part of the church service is the "misa de acción de gracias," through which the girl gives thanks for completing childhood. The "festejada" (birthday girl) traditionally receives gifts from her family, including tiaras and jewelry. The party typically includes an elaborate banquet of food, followed by music and dancing that can last into the wee hours.

Eat a "tres leches" cake at Mexican birthday parties. The "tres leches" cake is a giant, multi-colored cake that serves as the centerpiece for Mexican birthday parties. These cakes are often decorated in a theme reflecting something the birthday celebrant enjoys. 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.

Hit a piñata while blindfolded. A piñata is one of the most well-known Spanish traditions. These brightly colored papel maché 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 partygoers to have. The donkey-shaped piñata typically sold in the US and Europe is rarely seen in Latin American countries. The piñata may have a shape that reflects the theme of the "tres leches" cake. While partygoers attempt to hit the piñata, the others sing the traditional piñata song, which starts "Dale, dale, dale." The song encourages the person to have good aim and hit the piñata so it bursts for everyone's enjoyment, raining down the sweets they crave.

Watch the birthday celebrant have their face smashed into a cake. In Mexico in particular, the birthday celebrant's hands are tied behind their back and their face is smashed into the birthday cake for them to take the first bite. All around them, partygoers chant "¡Mordida!" The word "mordida" means "bite." In this context, the chant from the party guests encourages the birthday celebrant to take the first bite of their birthday cake.Tip: Music plays a huge part 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.

Give symbolic gifts, if anything at all. Birthday gifts are typically not particularly elaborate or expensive, especially in Spain. Children always receive small presents, typically books, toys, and candy. Adults may not get any presents at all. If you don't feel right going to a birthday party without a present, consider a gift such as a calendar, a mug, or a nice ink pen.