How to say happy birthday in Catalan
Per molts anys
Say it like this: pur MOLTS AHNYS
To say happy birthday in Catalan, you say "Per molts anys". Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands in Spain, and it is the official language of Andorra. Here is how to say it, plus other friendly ways to send your wishes.
"Per molts anys" means "for many years". It wishes the birthday person many more years of life and many more birthdays to come.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Catalan
- Moltes felicitats!Say it like this: MOL-tus fuh-lee-see-TATSMeans "many congratulations". Just as common as "Per molts anys", and fine for anyone.
- Per molts anys i bons!Say it like this: pur MOLTS AHNYS ee BONSMeans "for many good years". A warm, slightly fuller version.
- Feliç aniversari!Say it like this: fuh-LEES uh-nee-vur-SAH-reeA direct "happy birthday". Correct and friendly, though "Per molts anys" is used more.
- Que en facis molts més!Say it like this: kuh un FAH-sees MOLTS MESMeans "may you have many more". A nice extra line after the greeting.
- Bon aniversari!Say it like this: BON uh-nee-vur-SAH-reeMeans "good birthday". Casual, great for friends and texts.
- Li desitjo un bon aniversariSay it like this: lee duh-ZEE-joo un BON uh-nee-vur-SAH-reeMeans "I wish you a good birthday" in the polite form, for a boss or someone you do not know well.
The Happy Birthday song in Catalan
Moltes felicitats,
moltes felicitats,
et desitgem tots,
moltes felicitats.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune. It means "many congratulations, we all wish you". People then often cheer "Per molts anys!" when the candles go out.
Birthday customs
- In Catalonia, as in the rest of Spain, friends may gently tug the birthday person's ears, once for each year of their age.
- In Catalonia, "Per molts anys" is also said on someone's saint's day, the day linked to the saint who shares their name.
- In Andorra, Catalan is the only official language, so "Per molts anys" is the greeting you will hear most there.
A quick tip
Catalan is not the same as Spanish, so do not write "Feliz cumpleaños" for a Catalan speaker. Note the "ç" in "Feliç". It sounds like an s.
Questions people ask
Is it "Per molts anys" or "Moltes felicitats"?
Both are correct and both are used all the time. Many people say them together: "Moltes felicitats i per molts anys!".
Do people in Valencia say the same thing?
Yes. In Valencia the language is called Valencian, and "Per molts anys" and "Moltes felicitats" are used there too. The sounds can be a little different.
What do you say back?
Say "Gràcies!" (GRAH-see-us), which means thank you. To be extra warm, say "Moltes gràcies!".
Wish someone happy birthday in Catalan
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Catalan: 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.