How to say happy birthday in Spanish
Feliz cumpleaños
Say it like this: feh-LEES koom-pleh-AHN-yos
To say happy birthday in Spanish, you say "Feliz cumpleaños". It works for anyone, young or old, in every Spanish-speaking country. Below you will find how to say it, other friendly ways to wish someone well, and the song people sing.
"Feliz" means happy. "Cumpleaños" joins "cumplir" (to complete or reach) and "años" (years), so it means the day you complete another year.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Spanish
- ¡Feliz cumple!Say it like this: feh-LEES KOOM-plehShort and casual. Great for friends, family and text messages.
- ¡Felicidades!Say it like this: feh-lee-see-DAH-dehsMeans "congratulations". Very common for birthdays, and you can say it to anyone.
- ¡Muchas felicidades!Say it like this: MOO-chahs feh-lee-see-DAH-dehsA warmer version: "many congratulations". Good in person or in a card.
- ¡Que cumplas muchos más!Say it like this: keh KOOM-plahs MOO-chos MAHSMeans "may you have many more". People often add it after "Feliz cumpleaños".
- Te deseo un feliz cumpleañosSay it like this: teh deh-SEH-oh oon feh-LEES koom-pleh-AHN-yosMeans "I wish you a happy birthday". A little fuller, nice in writing.
- Le deseo un feliz cumpleañosSay it like this: leh deh-SEH-oh oon feh-LEES koom-pleh-AHN-yosThe polite form, for a boss, a teacher or an older person you do not know well.
The Happy Birthday song in Spanish
Cumpleaños feliz,
cumpleaños feliz,
te deseamos todos,
cumpleaños feliz.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune, and in Mexico many families also sing a traditional morning song called "Las Mañanitas".
Birthday customs
- In Spain, friends may gently tug the birthday person's ears, once for each year of their age.
- In Mexico, the birthday person is often asked to take a bite of the cake with no hands, and someone may give their head a playful push into the icing. This is called "la mordida", which means "the bite".
- In many Latin American countries, a girl's 15th birthday is a big celebration called a "quinceañera".
- In Spain, it is common for the birthday person to treat friends or workmates, for example by bringing cakes into the office or buying a round of drinks.
A quick tip
When you write it, Spanish adds an upside-down exclamation mark at the start: ¡Feliz cumpleaños! Also keep the little wave over the n in "años". Without it, the word changes to a very different one that you would not want in a birthday card!
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Spanish to a friend?
Say "¡Feliz cumple!" or "¡Feliz cumpleaños!". Both are warm and natural with friends.
Is it pronounced differently in Spain?
A little. In most of Spain, the z in "feliz" sounds like the "th" in "thin", so it sounds like feh-LEETH. In Latin America it sounds like an s.
What do you say back?
Just say "¡Gracias!" (GRAH-see-ahs), which means thank you. To be extra warm, say "¡Muchas gracias!".
Wish someone happy birthday in Spanish
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Spanish: 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.