How to say happy birthday in Chinese
"Happy birthday" in Chinese is 生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè). It is built from "birthday happy". 生日快乐 is what people say and write; 祝你生日快乐, with "I wish you" in front, is the line sung in the Chinese birthday song.
Ways to say happy birthday
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 生日快乐 | shēng rì kuài lè | happy birthday | The default answer. |
| 祝你生日快乐 | zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè | I wish you a happy birthday | A fuller wish, and the words of the birthday song |
| 祝您生日快乐 | zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè | happy birthday (polite) | To grandparents, teachers, a boss or other older people |
| 生日快乐，万事如意 | shēng rì kuài lè, wàn shì rú yì | happy birthday, may everything go your way | Cards and messages when you want a longer, warmer wish |
| 祝您健康长寿 | zhù nín jiàn kāng cháng shòu | wishing you good health and a long life | To elderly relatives on their birthday, often added after 生日快乐 |
What people say back
Example sentences
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 生日快乐！这是给你的礼物。 | shēng rì kuài lè! zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐ wù. | Happy birthday! This is for you. |
| 奶奶，祝您生日快乐，身体健康！ | nǎi nai, zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè, shēn tǐ jiàn kāng! | Happy birthday, Grandma, and stay healthy! |
| 我差点忘了，祝你生日快乐！ | wǒ chà diǎn wàng le, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè! | I nearly forgot, happy birthday! |
| 爸，生日快乐！我给您煮了一碗长寿面。 | bà, shēng rì kuài lè! wǒ gěi nín zhǔ le yī wǎn cháng shòu miàn. | Happy birthday, Dad! I made you a bowl of longevity noodles. |
The characters in 生日快乐
Common mistakes
- 乐 in 快乐 is lè, "happy". The same character is read yuè in 音乐 (music), so do not mix them up.
- 长 in 长寿 and 长寿面 is cháng (long), not zhǎng.
- Use 您 instead of 你 when wishing an older relative or a teacher a happy birthday.
Related
- Good luck in Chinese: 祝你好运
- I love you in Chinese: 我爱你
- Thank you in Chinese: 谢谢
- Polite phrases in Chinese: 不客气
- All phrases and words
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in Chinese?
生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè), literally "birthday happy". Other ways: 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè); 祝您生日快乐 (zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè); 生日快乐，万事如意 (shēng rì kuài lè, wàn shì rú yì).
How do you sing happy birthday in Chinese?
The song uses the same tune as in English, with the words 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè) repeated.
How do you say happy birthday to grandma in Chinese?
Say 奶奶，祝您生日快乐 (nǎi nai, zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè), using 您 to be respectful. For a mother's mother, use 外婆 (wài pó) or 姥姥 (lǎo lao) instead of 奶奶.
What are longevity noodles?
长寿面 (cháng shòu miàn) are long noodles traditionally eaten on birthdays as a wish for a long life.
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