¡Feliz cumpleaños! How to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish

¡Feliz cumpleaños! Welcome to this birthday celebration that’s full of Spanish! Birthdays are always an important moment, and there’s something extra special about making your wishes come true. Maybe you want to surprise a Spanish-speaking friend or just want to add a touch of pizzazz to your birthday greetings, ¡Estás en el lugar correcto! (You’re in the right place!)

In Spanish-speaking cultures, birthdays are a big thing. We take them seriously, and we try to make them special. There’s history behind them, of course. They weren’t always celebrated as we do today. Now, we usually have a big fiesta filled with laughter, delicious treats, and, of course, warm wishes. So, let’s start this linguistic adventure together. In this guide, you’ll learn how to say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish like a Spanish speaker, turning your well-wishing into a culturally rich experience.

Common Phrases to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish

There are different ways to wish someone a happy birthday other than “feliz cumpleaños.” If you want to learn Spanish, knowing common words and phrases to congratulate someone on their special day can help you develop your conversational skills. Most importantly, it can also teach you a lot about traditions in Spanish-speaking countries. Below, you’ll find different words, phrases, and traditions you can practice to give your Spanish friends a fun and heartfelt birthday party.

Well wishes

Sending birthday wishes can make someone feel special during their birthday. And when it comes to doing so in Spanish, it reaches a whole new level. Let’s explore the art of well-wishing in Spanish, turning ordinary greetings into vibrant expressions. They can go from wishing a day filled with love to showering someone with happiness and good health, each phrase is an actual gift, wrapped in the romance of the Spanish language.

I wish you a great day (Te deseo un gran día)

When you wish someone, “Te deseo un gran día” on their birthday, you’re essentially saying, “I hope your day is filled with fantastic moments, surprises, and all-around greatness.” It’s like sending a virtual party their way, complete with smiles and good vibes.

I wish you happiness (Que seas muy feliz)

Birthdays are all about happiness. When you say, “Que seas muy feliz” to someone on their special day, you’re not just wishing them happiness but a whole cascade of joy. It’s like giving them a birthday card that unfolds into a happiness explosion – a wish for laughter, positive vibes, and all-around good feelings.

I wish you good health (Que tengas buena salud)

Health is wealth, especially on birthdays! “Que tengas buena salud” is like wrapping your birthday wishes in a virtual wellness package. You’re expressing not only the desire for a fantastic day but also sending good vibes for a healthy and vibrant year ahead. It’s the perfect way to say, “May your cake be sweet, and your health even sweeter!”

The Happy Birthday Song in Spanish

If we talk about the Happy Birthday song in Spanish, we could say that it’s the bilingual moment of the day. We have the tradition of first singing the Happy Birthday song in English (in a very Spanish-pronounced way!), and then we get into the Spanish version of the same song. It might seem weird, but it’s part of our birthday traditions. The Peruvian version of the Happy Birthday song is the literal translation. However, it might have some slight variations depending on each country. You can see some different versions below.

Birthday Vocabulary in Spanish

Birthdays celebrate life, and when it comes to adding a Spanish touch to the festivities, a bit of birthday vocabulary goes a long way. Let’s explore key terms that you will find in every birthday in Spanish:

Cumpleaños (Birthday)

The heart of the celebration! cumpleaños is the Spanish word for birthday, the very reason for the fiesta. So, when you’re at a birthday bash, you’re at a “fiesta de cumpleaños.”

Pastel (Cake)

What’s a birthday without a delicious cake? “Pastel” is the term that you use when you’re ready to indulge in a slice of birthday sweetness. It can also be called torta in some South American countries.

Regalo (Gift)

Don’t forget the excitement of unwrapping presents! “Regalo” is the Spanish word for gift, and a birthday is the perfect occasion to exchange these tokens of affection.

Velas (Candles)

Time to make a birthday wish! “Velas” are the candles that adorn the birthday cake, ready to be blown out with hopeful anticipation.

Tarjeta de Cumpleaños (Birthday Card)

 A lovely message is a must! “Tarjeta de cumpleaños” is a birthday card, where you can write down your warm wishes and spread love. If you can’t make it to a friend’s birthday party, you can still send them a birthday card to make them feel loved on their special day.

Fiesta de Cumpleaños (Birthday Party)

 The main term for the birthday party itself. “Fiesta de cumpleaños” captures the lively, joyful atmosphere of a birthday gathering.

Amigos (Friends) y Familia (Family)

Birthdays are best celebrated with loved ones. Amigos are friends, and familia is family—both essential ingredients for a memorable celebration. What would a fiesta de cumpleaños be without these wonderful people around?

Cumpleañero/a

 Our birthday boy or girl. The reason to be for this special and wonderful occasion! The cumpleañero (birthday boy) or cumpleañera (birthday girl) turn into royalty on the day of their birthday! They are the center of the celebration and the special people of the day. So let’s make sure that our cumpleañeros have a great time!

Birthday Traditions in Spanish-Speaking Countries

In Spain and Latin America, each country uniquely celebrates birthdays. We can find playful surprises like “La Mordida” (a popular tradition in many countries), the Mexican bits of “Las Mañanitas,” and the lively rituals of breaking piñatas or enjoying flour showers. These cultural and diverse traditions paint a vivid picture of the joyful moments that mark Spanish birthday celebrations.

La Mordida (The Bite) – Across Latin America

In many Spanish-speaking Latin American countries the birthday person is in for a playful surprise known as “La Mordida.” As the cake is presented, close friends and family cheerfully chant “Que lo muerda” (Bite it!), encouraging the birthday celebrant to take a literal bite of the cake. However, the twist is that, just as the person leans in for a nibble, their face might be gently pushed into the cake by some friends. It adds an element of surprise and laughter to the festivities.

Las Mañanitas – Serenade Tradition

Mostly seen in Mexico, the tradition of “Las Mañanitas” adds a musical touch to birthdays. Typically sung early in the morning, friends and family gather around to serenade the birthday person with this heartfelt song. It’s a beautiful and cherished way to express love and good wishes.

Breaking the Piñata – Various Countries

The piñata is not just a Mexican tradition but has become popular in many Spanish-speaking countries. Whether it’s shaped like a favorite character or a traditional star, the act of blindfolding someone, handing them a stick, and letting them take a swing at the suspended piñata is a festive and often hilarious part of birthday celebrations. Plus, piñatas are often filled with candy and other fun treats, so this is truly a party favorite among Spanish speakers. And, of course, it also has a musical touch! “Rompe la piñata” (break the piñata) becomes the soundtrack of this cheerful moment!

El Baño de Harina (Flour Bath) – Ecuador

An amusing birthday tradition in Ecuador involves the birthday person getting a flour shower. Friends and family might playfully cover the celebrant in flour, turning them into a living, laughing work of art. It’s a light-hearted and messy way to mark the special day.

Candle and Balloon Ritual – Spain

In Spain, a charming tradition involves attaching a candle to a balloon. The birthday person makes a wish, and then the balloon is released, carrying the candle and wish into the sky. It’s a symbolic and visually stunning way to send birthday hopes into the universe.

Queremos Que Partan La Torta – Peru

In Peru, the birthday festivities include a catchy song titled, “Queremos Que Partan La Torta” (We Want You to Cut the Cake). This playful serenade not only encourages the birthday owner to cut the cake but playfully warns that if they don’t share the cake, they might be destined to stay in that spot forever. It adds a humorous touch to the celebration, making sure everyone gets a slice of the joy.

Learn Spanish with Langoly!

Get ready to express your birthday wishes in Spanish with the perfect blend of culture and celebration! Dive into language apps to learn more phrases to express yourself. If you want to refresh your sentence structure and conjugation knowledge, make sure to study with Spanish books. If you’re ready to test your comprehension, you can listen to Spanish podcasts on different topics. Or, if you’d like to read along while you listen, watch YouTube videos created by native speakers with subtitles on.

But, if you’re looking for a comprehensive resource, an online course is a better option. We created the Siempre Spanish course to teach you to Spanish the way it’s spoken by native speakers. Forget about memorizing words and learn to use the language with interactive activities. Study with the help of native Spanish speakers and become conversational quickly!