How to say happy birthday in Dutch
Fijne verjaardag
Say it like this: FAY-nuh fer-YAR-dahk
To say happy birthday in Dutch, you can say "Fijne verjaardag". It is spoken in the Netherlands, in Flanders in Belgium, and in Suriname. But the word you will hear most of all is "Gefeliciteerd", which means congratulations. Here are both, plus other ways to wish someone well.
"Fijne" means nice or lovely, and "verjaardag" means birthday. "Verjaren" means to turn a year older, and "dag" means day.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Dutch
- Gefeliciteerd!Say it like this: khuh-feh-lee-see-TEERTMeans "congratulations". The most common birthday wish in the Netherlands, fine for anyone.
- Van harte gefeliciteerd!Say it like this: fahn HAR-tuh khuh-feh-lee-see-TEERTMeans "congratulations from the heart". Very popular in person and in cards.
- Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je verjaardagSay it like this: HAR-tuh-luk khuh-feh-lee-see-TEERT met yuh fer-YAR-dahkMeans "warm congratulations on your birthday". Lovely for friends and family.
- Gefeliciteerd met uw verjaardagSay it like this: khuh-feh-lee-see-TEERT met oow fer-YAR-dahkThe polite form, for a boss, a client or an older person you do not know well.
- Nog vele jaren!Say it like this: nokh VAY-luh YAA-ruhnMeans "many more years". People often add it after "Gefeliciteerd".
- Proficiat!Say it like this: pro-FEE-see-ahtMeans "congratulations". Used a lot in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
The Happy Birthday song in Dutch
Lang zal ze leven,
lang zal ze leven,
lang zal ze leven
in de gloria.
This is the classic Dutch birthday song, with its own tune, not the Happy Birthday one. It means "long may she live", so you sing "hij" instead of "ze" for a man. It usually ends with "Hiep hiep hoera!" (hip hip hooray). Many people also sing Happy Birthday in English.
Birthday customs
- At a Dutch birthday party, you congratulate not just the birthday person but their family too, for example "Gefeliciteerd met je moeder" (congratulations on your mother).
- Guests often sit together in a big circle, called a "kring", with coffee and cake.
- On their birthday, Dutch children and adults usually bring treats for their class or workmates. This is called "trakteren".
- Many Dutch homes keep a birthday calendar on the inside of the toilet door, so nobody forgets a birthday.
A quick tip
The "g" in Dutch is a throaty sound, like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch". If that is hard, a soft "kh" sound is close enough, and people will still be very pleased.
Questions people ask
Is it "Fijne verjaardag" or "Gefeliciteerd"?
Both are right. "Gefeliciteerd" is what most Dutch people say on the day. "Fijne verjaardag" is nice in a card or when wishing someone a good day ahead.
How do you say happy birthday in Dutch to a friend?
Say "Gefeliciteerd!" or "Van harte gefeliciteerd!". Add "Nog vele jaren!" to make it extra warm.
What do you say back?
Say "Dank je wel" (DAHNK yuh vel), which means thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Dutch
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Dutch: 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.