How to say happy birthday in Chinese (Simplified)
生日快乐
Say it like this: shung-ruh kwai-luh
To say happy birthday in Chinese, you say "生日快乐" (shēngrì kuàilè). Simplified characters are used in mainland China and Singapore, and Mandarin is spoken by more people than any other language. Here is how to say it, other kind wishes, and the song people sing.
"生日" (shēngrì) means birthday: "生" is birth and "日" is day. "快乐" (kuàilè) means happy. So it matches "happy birthday" word for word.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Chinese (Simplified)
- 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè)Say it like this: joo nee shung-ruh kwai-luhMeans "wishing you a happy birthday". The most common full version for friends and family.
- 祝您生日快乐 (zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè)Say it like this: joo neen shung-ruh kwai-luhThe polite form, for elders, teachers, bosses and clients.
- 生日快乐！ (shēngrì kuàilè)Say it like this: shung-ruh kwai-luhShort and simple. Perfect for a text or a quick hello.
- 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng)Say it like this: shin shyahng shir chungMeans "may all your wishes come true". A popular line to add in a card.
- 身体健康 (shēntǐ jiànkāng)Say it like this: shun-tee jyen-kahngMeans "good health". Often added for parents and older relatives.
- 年年有今日，岁岁有今朝 (nián nián yǒu jīn rì, suì suì yǒu jīn zhāo)Say it like this: nyen nyen yo jin rr, sway sway yo jin jowMeans "may you have a day like this every year". A warm, poetic wish for cards.
The Happy Birthday song in Chinese (Simplified)
祝你生日快乐，
祝你生日快乐，
祝你生日快乐，
祝你生日快乐。
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune, with the same line four times. Some people put the name in the third line, and the English version is common too.
Birthday customs
- In China, people often eat long noodles, called longevity noodles (长寿面), on their birthday. The long strands stand for a long life.
- In China, peach-shaped buns are served at birthday meals for older people, because the peach is a traditional sign of long life.
- In China, many older people celebrate their birthday on its date in the lunar calendar, which falls on a different day each year.
- In China, birthdays such as 60, 70 and 80 are big family occasions, and grown-up children often host a special meal for their parents.
A quick tip
Mandarin is a tonal language, so the marks on the pinyin (like the line over "ē") tell you how your voice moves. Do not worry too much: people will understand "shung-ruh kwai-luh" with a smile. For Taiwan or Hong Kong, use the Traditional form "生日快樂".
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Chinese to a friend?
Say "生日快乐！" or "祝你生日快乐！". Both are warm and natural.
How do you say it to an older person?
Say "祝您生日快乐" and add "身体健康" (good health). "您" is the polite word for "you".
What do you say back?
Say "谢谢" (shyeh shyeh), which means thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Chinese (Simplified)
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Chinese (Simplified): 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.