How to say happy birthday in Amharic
መልካም ልደት
Say it like this: mel-KAM LIH-det
To say happy birthday in Amharic, you say "መልካም ልደት" (melkam lidet). Amharic is the main working language of Ethiopia and is written in its own beautiful script, called Ge'ez or Fidel. Here is how to say it, plus other warm ways to send your good wishes.
"መልካም" (melkam) means good or happy. "ልደት" (lidet) means birth. Together they mean "happy birth day".
Other ways to say happy birthday in Amharic
- መልካም ልደት ይሁንልህ (melkam lidet yihunilih)Say it like this: mel-KAM LIH-det yi-hu-NIL-ihMeans "may it be a happy birthday for you". Use this ending when you speak to a man or boy.
- መልካም ልደት ይሁንልሽ (melkam lidet yihunilish)Say it like this: mel-KAM LIH-det yi-hu-NIL-ishThe same wish, with the ending you use for a woman or girl.
- መልካም ልደት ይሁንልዎ (melkam lidet yihunilwo)Say it like this: mel-KAM LIH-det yi-hu-NIL-wohThe polite form, for an older person, a boss or someone you respect.
- እንኳን ተወለድክ (enkwan tewoledk)Say it like this: en-KWAN te-wo-LEDKMeans "I am glad you were born". Very warm, for a man or boy you are close to.
- እንኳን ተወለድሽ (enkwan tewoledsh)Say it like this: en-KWAN te-wo-LEDSHThe same loving wish, for a woman or girl.
- እንኳን ለልደትህ በሰላም አደረሰህ (enkwan lelidetih beselam aderesih)Say it like this: en-KWAN le-li-de-TIH be-se-LAM a-de-REH-sihMeans "congratulations on reaching your birthday in peace". The traditional wish, for a man or boy. For a woman or girl, say "እንኳን ለልደትሽ በሰላም አደረሰሽ".
The Happy Birthday song in Amharic
Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear [name],
happy birthday to you.
At most Ethiopian birthday parties, people sing the English "Happy Birthday" song. Then they cheer "መልካም ልደት!" (melkam lidet) for the birthday person.
Birthday customs
- Ethiopia uses its own calendar, which has 13 months and runs about seven to eight years behind the calendar used in the UK. Some people know their birthday by the Ethiopian date.
- In Ethiopia, family gatherings often include a coffee ceremony, where coffee is roasted, ground and served in small cups to guests.
- In Ethiopia, the New Year, called Enkutatash, falls in September, so the year changes at a different time from the UK.
A quick tip
Amharic changes some words depending on whether you speak to a man or a woman. If you are not sure, the short greeting "መልካም ልደት" (melkam lidet) works for everyone.
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Amharic to a girl?
Say "መልካም ልደት ይሁንልሽ" (melkam lidet yihunilish). For a boy, say "መልካም ልደት ይሁንልህ" (melkam lidet yihunilih).
How do you write happy birthday in Amharic?
It is written "መልካም ልደት". If you cannot type the Amharic script, you can write it in English letters as "Melkam lidet".
What do you say back?
Say "አመሰግናለሁ" (ameseginalehu), said a-meh-seh-gi-NA-leh-hu. It means thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Amharic
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Amharic: a gift box to open, confetti, their name in gold and the birthday song. Then send it by WhatsApp, text or email. It is free.