How to say happy birthday in Croatian
Sretan rođendan
Say it like this: SREH-tahn ROH-jen-dahn
To say happy birthday in Croatian, you say "Sretan rođendan". It works for anyone, young or old, all over Croatia, and is easily understood in Bosnia and Herzegovina too. Here is how to say it, other friendly ways to wish someone well, and the song.
"Sretan" means happy. "Rođendan" joins "rođen" (born) and "dan" (day), so it means the day you were born.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Croatian
- Sretan ti rođendan!Say it like this: SREH-tahn tee ROH-jen-dahnMeans "happy birthday to you". Friendly, for friends and family.
- Sretan vam rođendan!Say it like this: SREH-tahn vahm ROH-jen-dahnThe polite form, for an older person, a boss or someone you do not know well.
- Sve najbolje!Say it like this: SVEH NIGH-bol-yehMeans "all the best". Very common, often said with a hug or a handshake.
- Sve najbolje za rođendan!Say it like this: SVEH NIGH-bol-yeh zah ROH-jen-dahnMeans "all the best for your birthday". Lovely in a card or message.
- Čestitam rođendan!Say it like this: CHES-tee-tahm ROH-jen-dahnMeans "I congratulate you on your birthday". Good for workmates.
- Živio! / Živjela!Say it like this: ZHEE-vee-oh / ZHEE-vyeh-lahMeans "long may you live". Say "Živio" to a man and "Živjela" to a woman. Also used as a toast.
The Happy Birthday song in Croatian
Sretan ti rođendan,
sretan ti rođendan,
sretan ti rođendan [name],
sretan ti rođendan.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune. At parties, people often follow it with cheers of "Živio!" or "Živjela!".
Birthday customs
- In Croatia, many people celebrate their name day (imendan), the saint's day that shares their name, as well as their birthday.
- In Croatia, the birthday person usually hosts the party and often pays for the drinks or the meal. Guests bring the presents.
- In Croatia, a birthday toast with "Živio!" (long live) is a big part of the celebration.
A quick tip
The letter "đ" in "rođendan" sounds like the "j" in "jam". If you cannot type it, people often write "dj" instead, like "rodjendan". It is fine in a quick text, but the proper spelling is best in a card.
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Croatian to a friend?
Say "Sretan ti rođendan!" or simply "Sve najbolje!". Both are warm and natural.
Is it the same in Serbian and Bosnian?
Very close. Serbian and Bosnian also say "Srećan rođendan" or "Sretan rođendan", so all of them will understand you.
What do you say back?
Say "Hvala!" (HVAH-lah), which means thank you. For extra warmth, say "Hvala ti puno!".
Wish someone happy birthday in Croatian
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Croatian: 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.