How to say happy birthday in Hungarian
Boldog születésnapot
Say it like this: BOHL-dohg SEW-leh-taysh-nah-poht
To say happy birthday in Hungarian, you say "Boldog születésnapot". It is understood by everyone in Hungary, and by Hungarian speakers in nearby countries such as Romania, Slovakia and Serbia. Here is how to say it, plus other warm wishes Hungarians love to use.
"Boldog" means happy. "Születésnap" joins "születés" (birth) and "nap" (day). The "-ot" on the end is there because you are wishing it to someone.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Hungarian
- Boldog szülinapot!Say it like this: BOHL-dohg SEW-lee-nah-pohtThe short, casual form. Great for friends, family and texts.
- Isten éltessen!Say it like this: ISH-ten AYL-tesh-shenMeans "may God keep you alive". A very common, warm birthday wish for anyone you know well.
- Isten éltessen sokáig!Say it like this: ISH-ten AYL-tesh-shen SHOH-kah-eegAdds "for a long time". Lovely in a card.
- Isten éltesse!Say it like this: ISH-ten AYL-tesh-shehThe polite form, for an older person, a boss or someone you do not know well.
- Boldog születésnapot kívánok!Say it like this: BOHL-dohg SEW-leh-taysh-nah-poht KEE-vah-nohkMeans "I wish you a happy birthday". A fuller version, nice in writing.
- Minden jót!Say it like this: MIN-den YOHTMeans "all the best". A friendly extra line to add at the end.
The Happy Birthday song in Hungarian
Boldog szülinapot,
boldog szülinapot,
boldog szülinapot [name],
boldog szülinapot.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune. Many Hungarians also sing a traditional greeting song that starts "Isten éltessen", and you will hear the English version at parties too.
Birthday customs
- In Hungary, name days (névnap) are celebrated almost as much as birthdays. Calendars show whose name day it is, and friends bring flowers or small gifts.
- In Hungary, a common birthday wish is "Füled érjen bokáig!", which means "may your ears reach your ankles". It wishes a very long life, and friends may gently tug the birthday person's ears as they say it.
- In Hungary, flowers are a popular birthday gift, especially for women.
A quick tip
In Hungarian, "sz" sounds like "s", and "s" sounds like "sh". So "születésnapot" starts with a soft "s" sound, and "Isten" sounds like ISH-ten. Always stress the first part of each word.
Questions people ask
What does "Isten éltessen" mean?
It means "may God keep you alive", a wish for a long life. Hungarians use it for birthdays and name days.
How do you say happy birthday in Hungarian to a friend?
Say "Boldog szülinapot!" or "Isten éltessen!". Both are warm and natural.
What do you say back?
Say "Köszönöm!" (KUR-sur-nurm), which means thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Hungarian
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Hungarian: 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.