How to say happy birthday in Hebrew
יום הולדת שמח
Say it like this: YOM hoo-LEH-det sah-MEH-akh
To say happy birthday in Hebrew, you say "יום הולדת שמח" (yom huledet sameach). Hebrew is the main language of Israel, and it is used by Jewish communities around the world. It is written from right to left. Here is how to say it, plus other warm ways to wish someone well.
"Yom" means day, "huledet" means birth, and "sameach" means happy. So it means "happy birth day".
Other ways to say happy birthday in Hebrew
- מזל טוב (mazal tov)Say it like this: mah-ZAHL TOVMeans "congratulations" or "good luck". Said for every happy event, birthdays included.
- המון מזל טוב (hamon mazal tov)Say it like this: hah-MOHN mah-ZAHL TOVMeans "lots of congratulations". Warm and very common in messages.
- עד מאה ועשרים (ad me'a ve'esrim)Say it like this: ahd meh-AH veh-es-REEMMeans "until 120", wishing a long life like Moses, who lived to 120. A classic birthday wish.
- יומולדת שמח (yomuledet sameach)Say it like this: yo-moo-LEH-det sah-MEH-akhThe everyday spoken form, with the words run together. Casual and friendly.
- יום הולדת שמח ומזל טובSay it like this: YOM hoo-LEH-det sah-MEH-akh oo-mah-ZAHL TOV"Happy birthday and congratulations". A full, warm line for a card.
The Happy Birthday song in Hebrew
יום הולדת שמח,
יום הולדת שמח,
יום הולדת שמח ל[name],
יום הולדת שמח.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune. In Israel, children also sing their own birthday songs, such as "Hayom yom huledet" ("Today is a birthday"), which you will hear at many parties.
Birthday customs
- In Israel, the birthday child often sits on a chair and is lifted up into the air, once for each year, plus one more for luck.
- In Israeli nursery schools, the birthday child often wears a crown of leaves or flowers and is the star of a small party.
- In Israel and in Jewish communities, "Ad 120" is a very common birthday wish for a long life.
A quick tip
Hebrew is read from right to left, and vowels are usually left out in writing. If you copy the greeting, copy all three words together. The "ch" in "sameach" is a throaty sound, a bit like the "ch" in Scottish "loch".
Questions people ask
What does "Ad 120" mean?
It means "until 120". It wishes the person a long life, like Moses, who the Bible says lived to 120.
Can I just say "Mazal tov"?
Yes. "Mazal tov" works for birthdays and is often said together with "Yom huledet sameach".
What do you say back?
Say "תודה" (toh-DAH), which means thank you. For more warmth, say "תודה רבה" (toh-DAH rah-BAH).
Wish someone happy birthday in Hebrew
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Hebrew: 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.