How to say happy birthday in Turkish
İyi ki doğdun
Say it like this: ee-YEE kee doh-DOON
To say happy birthday in Turkish, you say "İyi ki doğdun". It is the phrase you will hear most in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, from friends, family and workmates. Below you will find how to say it, other friendly ways to wish someone well, and the song people sing.
"İyi ki" means "it is good that" and "doğdun" means "you were born". So the whole phrase means "I am so glad you were born". It is a lovely, warm thing to say.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Turkish
- Doğum günün kutlu olsun!Say it like this: doh-OOM gew-NEWN koot-LOO ol-SOONMeans "may your birthday be celebrated". Very common, and fine for anyone you know well.
- Mutlu yıllar!Say it like this: moot-LOO yuh-LARMeans "happy years". Short and cheerful. Great in a text or a card.
- Nice mutlu yıllara!Say it like this: nee-JEH moot-LOO yuh-lah-RAHMeans "to many more happy years". People often add it after "İyi ki doğdun".
- Nice yaşlara!Say it like this: nee-JEH yash-lah-RAHMeans "to many more ages". A warm wish you can say to anyone.
- İyi ki doğdunuzSay it like this: ee-YEE kee doh-doo-NOOZThe polite form, for a boss, a teacher or an older person. It also works when you speak to a group.
- Doğum gününüz kutlu olsunSay it like this: doh-OOM gew-new-NEWZ koot-LOO ol-SOONThe polite way to say "may your birthday be celebrated". Good in a work card.
The Happy Birthday song in Turkish
İyi ki doğdun [name],
iyi ki doğdun [name],
iyi ki doğdun [name],
iyi ki doğdun.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune. Many people also sing a version that goes "Mutlu yıllar sana", which means "happy years to you". Both are well known.
Birthday customs
- In Turkey, a cake with candles is the centre of most birthday parties, and the birthday person makes a wish before blowing them out.
- In Turkey, friends often send "İyi ki doğdun" with the person's name, and it is very common to add "Nice mutlu yıllara" straight after.
A quick tip
Turkish has two different i letters. "İ" with a dot sounds like "ee". "ı" with no dot sounds like the "u" in "circus". So keep the dot on the capital İ in "İyi ki doğdun". The soft "ğ" in "doğdun" is not said. It just makes the "o" a little longer.
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Turkish to a friend?
Say "İyi ki doğdun!" and add their name. You can also say "Mutlu yıllar!" for something short and fun.
How do you say it politely?
Say "İyi ki doğdunuz" or "Doğum gününüz kutlu olsun". The "-nuz" and "-nüz" endings make it polite.
What do you say back?
Say "Teşekkür ederim" (teh-shek-KEWR eh-deh-RIM), which means thank you. With friends, "Sağ ol" (SAH ol) is fine.
Wish someone happy birthday in Turkish
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Turkish: 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.