How to say happy birthday in Portuguese
Feliz aniversário
Say it like this: feh-LEEZ ah-nee-ver-SAH-ree-oo
To say happy birthday in Portuguese, you say "Feliz aniversário". It is understood in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and everywhere Portuguese is spoken. But on the day itself, the word you will hear most is "Parabéns". Here are both, plus other ways to share your wishes.
"Feliz" means happy and "aniversário" means birthday. Like in French, the same word is also used for other anniversaries, such as a wedding anniversary.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Portuguese
- Parabéns!Say it like this: pah-rah-BAYNSMeans "congratulations". The most common birthday wish of all, fine for anyone.
- Muitos parabéns!Say it like this: MWEE-toosh pah-rah-BAYNSMeans "many congratulations". Very popular in Portugal.
- Muitas felicidades!Say it like this: MWEE-tahs feh-lee-see-DAH-jeesMeans "lots of happiness". Warm, and lovely in a card.
- Feliz niver!Say it like this: feh-LEEZ NEE-verA casual Brazilian short form. Keep it for friends and text messages.
- Muitos anos de vida!Say it like this: MWEE-toos AH-noos djee VEE-dahMeans "many years of life". A classic wish to add after "Parabéns".
- Tudo de bom!Say it like this: TOO-doo djee BOHMeans "all the best". A friendly extra line for anyone.
The Happy Birthday song in Portuguese
Feliz aniversário,
feliz aniversário,
feliz aniversário, [nome],
feliz aniversário.
These are the plain Happy Birthday words in Portuguese. The song people really sing to this tune is "Parabéns pra você" in Brazil and "Parabéns a você" in Portugal. Its words were written in 1942, so we do not print them here. In Brazil, the song is usually followed by a fast chant called "É pique".
Birthday customs
- In Brazil, the birthday person often gives the first slice of cake to the person they love most, such as a parent or partner. Everyone watches to see who gets it.
- Brazilian birthday parties nearly always have "brigadeiros", little chocolate fudge balls rolled in sprinkles.
- Across Brazil and Portugal, "Parabéns" is said far more often than "Feliz aniversário" when you see someone on their birthday.
A quick tip
Keep the accent on the a in "aniversário" and on the e in "Parabéns". The sounds change a little between Brazil and Portugal: in Brazil it sounds softer, and in Portugal some vowels are almost swallowed.
Questions people ask
Is it "Feliz aniversário" or "Parabéns"?
Both are right. "Parabéns" is what most people say on the day. "Feliz aniversário" is very common in cards and messages.
Is it different in Brazil and Portugal?
The words are almost the same, but the sound is different. The song also changes slightly: "pra você" in Brazil and "a você" in Portugal.
What do you say back?
Say "Obrigado" (oh-bree-GAH-doo) if you are a man, or "Obrigada" (oh-bree-GAH-dah) if you are a woman.
Wish someone happy birthday in Portuguese
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Portuguese: 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.