How to say happy birthday in Swahili
Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa
Say it like this: HEH-ree yah SEE-koo yah koo-zah-LEE-wah
To say happy birthday in Swahili, you say "Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa". Swahili is spoken across East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Here is how to say it, shorter ways to send good wishes, and what people sing.
"Heri" means happiness or good fortune. "Siku" means day, and "kuzaliwa" means to be born. So it means "happiness on the day of being born".
Other ways to say happy birthday in Swahili
- Hongera!Say it like this: hon-GEH-rahMeans "congratulations!". Short and cheerful, for birthdays and any good news.
- Heri ya siku yako ya kuzaliwaSay it like this: HEH-ree yah SEE-koo YAH-koh yah koo-zah-LEE-wahMeans "happiness on your birthday". A little more personal.
- Nakutakia heri ya siku ya kuzaliwaSay it like this: nah-koo-tah-KEE-ah HEH-ree yah SEE-koo yah koo-zah-LEE-wahMeans "I wish you a happy birthday". Warm and nice in a card.
- Uishi miaka mingi!Say it like this: oo-EE-shee mee-AH-kah MEEN-geeMeans "may you live many years!". A lovely wish to add after the greeting.
- Mungu akubarikiSay it like this: MOON-goo ah-koo-bah-REE-keeMeans "God bless you". Often added by family and older relatives.
- Siku njema!Say it like this: SEE-koo NJEH-mahMeans "have a good day!". A simple, friendly extra line.
The Happy Birthday song in Swahili
Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear [name],
happy birthday to you.
In Kenya and Tanzania, most people sing the English version at birthday parties.
Birthday customs
- Swahili is a national language of Kenya and Tanzania. English is also widely used, and many people simply say "Happy birthday" in English.
- "Hongera" is used for all kinds of happy news, from birthdays to weddings and passing exams.
A quick tip
Swahili is easy to sound out. Every letter is said, and the stress almost always falls on the second to last part of the word, like koo-zah-LEE-wah. Say each vowel clearly and you will be understood.
Questions people ask
Is there a shorter way to say happy birthday in Swahili?
Many people simply say "Hongera!" or use the English "Happy birthday". Both are fine.
Is there a Swahili version of the birthday song?
Most people sing it in English. A few families sing their own Swahili words, but there is no one version everyone knows.
What do you say back?
Say "Asante!" (ah-SAHN-teh), which means thank you. To be extra warm, say "Asante sana!".
Wish someone happy birthday in Swahili
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Swahili: 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.