How to say happy birthday in Punjabi
ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ
Say it like this: JUN-am-din moo-BAA-rak
To say happy birthday in Punjabi, you say "ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ" (janamdin mubarak). Punjabi is spoken in Punjab in India and Pakistan, and by big communities in the UK, Canada and beyond. Here is how to say it, plus other loving wishes and blessings.
"Janamdin" means birthday ("janam" is birth and "din" is day). "Mubarak" means congratulations or blessed. So it means "blessed birthday".
Other ways to say happy birthday in Punjabi
- ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (janamdin diyaan lakh lakh vadhaaiyaan)Say it like this: JUN-am-din dee-AAN lukh lukh vah-DHAA-ee-aanMeans "a hundred thousand birthday congratulations". Very popular and very warm.
- ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂSay it like this: JUN-am-din dee-AAN BOH-t BOH-t vah-DHAA-ee-aanMeans "many, many birthday congratulations". Good for anyone.
- ਜੁਗ ਜੁਗ ਜੀਓ (jug jug jeeo)Say it like this: joog joog JEE-oMeans "may you live for ages". A blessing elders give to younger people.
- ਰੱਬ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇਵੇSay it like this: rubb too-HAA-noo LUM-mee oo-MAR DAY-vayMeans "may God give you a long life". A kind, respectful wish for anyone.
- ਖੁਸ਼ ਰਹੋ (khush raho)Say it like this: KHOOSH RAH-oMeans "stay happy". A short, loving blessing that family often add at the end.
- ਹੈਪੀ ਬਰਥਡੇSay it like this: HAP-pee BIRTH-daySimply "happy birthday" in English, written in Punjabi letters. Common with young people.
The Happy Birthday song in Punjabi
Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear [name],
happy birthday to you.
Most Punjabi families sing the English Happy Birthday song when the cake is cut. There is no single Punjabi version that everyone knows.
Birthday customs
- In Punjab in India, many Sikh families visit the gurdwara on a birthday to give thanks and say a prayer (ardas).
- Elders often bless the birthday person by placing a hand on their head and saying "ਜੁਗ ਜੁਗ ਜੀਓ".
- Sweets such as ladoos are often shared with family, friends and neighbours to spread the happy news.
A quick tip
Punjabi has two scripts. In India it is written in Gurmukhi, as shown here. In Pakistan it is written in Shahmukhi, from right to left: جنم دن مبارک. Both are said the same way.
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Punjabi to a friend?
Say "ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ" or the extra warm "ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ".
What does "lakh lakh vadhaaiyaan" mean?
A lakh is one hundred thousand, so it means "a hundred thousand congratulations". It is a fun, big-hearted way to wish someone well.
What do you say back?
Say "ਧੰਨਵਾਦ" (DHUN-vaad) or "ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ" (shoo-KREE-aa). Both mean thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Punjabi
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Punjabi: 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.