How to say "Happy Birthday" in Spanish: The ultimate guide (2024)

Ready to light the candles and become a pro at Spanish birthday celebrations? This guide is your ticket to mastering the art of Spanish birthday wishes.

Scroll down to learn how to say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish and pen heartfelt cards. We also cover need-to-know customs surrounding birthdays in Spanish-speaking countries to ensure you’re ready for the party.

Ten polite ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish

There are various ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish while keeping your manners in check. Our list of birthday greetings features IPA and phonetic pronunciation guides to help you say them just right.

Seven funny ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish

How do you say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish while among good friends? By making jokes, of course! Want to burlarte de (make fun of) your friends on the day they add another year to their record? Then the following phrases will come in handy:

If you need to review the fundamentals before using these more complex greetings, our blog post on 50 basic Spanish words and phrases has you covered.

How to sing the “Happy Birthday” song in Spanish

No celebration would be complete without a song. The Spanish version of the “Happy Birthday” song goes like this:

“Cumpleaños feliz,
cumpleaños feliz,
te deseamos todos,
cumpleaños feliz.”

This Spanish birthday song is a staple at parties and gatherings across Spanish-speaking countries and has the same tune as the English version.

How to write a birthday card in Spanish

Whether it’s for a colleague, friend, or family member, a personalized card is a wonderful way to show you care. Here’s a quick and easy guide to creating a memorable birthday card.

Opening

Start with the right greeting to set the tone:

• Estimado (Esteemed/Dear) is a fitting formal tone, perfect for authority figures or distant relatives. It’s appropriate to use “usted” for the rest of the message, as this is the formal version of “you“
• Querido (Dear/Beloved) provides a more intimate touch, suitable for close friends, family, or partners, paving the way for the informal “tú“

Body

This is where you get creative and personalize your message:

• For a friend: “Que tu cumpleaños sea tan maravilloso como tú, lleno de amor y alegría.” (May your birthday be as wonderful as you are, filled with love and joy.)
• For someone special: “Deseándote un día lleno de felicidad y un año repleto de alegría.” (Wishing you a day filled with happiness and a year full of joy.)
• A universal wish: “En tu día especial, te deseo toda la felicidad que brindas a los demás cada día.” (On your special day, I wish you all the happiness you bring to others every day.)
• For the adventurous: “Por un cumpleaños fabuloso y un año lleno de aventuras y éxito.” (Here’s to a fabulous birthday and a year filled with adventure and success.)
• A heartfelt wish: “Que este año te acerque a tus sueños y llene tu vida de felicidad.” (May this year bring you closer to your dreams and fill your life with happiness.)

Signing off

Choose a sign-off that reflects your relationship:

• Formal: “Con los mejores deseos” (Warmest regards) or “Sinceramente” (Sincerely)
• Informal or personal: “Con todo mi amor” (With all my love), “Con mucho amor” (Lots of love), or “Abrazos y besos” (Hugs and kisses)

Celebrating birthdays in Spanish-speaking cultures

Spanish-speaking cultures have some quirky traditions that you need to know before joining the festivities.

Watch out for your ears and your wallet at Spanish birthday bashes!

In Spain, birthdays have two unique customs: The celebrant gets their ear tugged and picks up the tab. The playful ear-tugging tradition, where each pull represents a year of life plus one for luck, adds a fun yet painful twist to acknowledging someone’s new age.

Meanwhile, the unusual practice of the birthday person paying for the meal and drinks stems from a desire to share blessings with loved ones, symbolizing gratitude and hospitality.

Piñatas in Latin America

Piñatas are colorful, decorative containers often seen at celebrations in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Traditionally made from papier-mâché, they come in various shapes and sizes but commonly resemble animals, mythical creatures, or even popular cartoon characters.

The celebration involves filling these vibrant creations with candies, fruits, and sometimes small toys. During parties, blindfolded guests take turns swinging a stick or bat to break the piñata, releasing the treasures inside for everyone to enjoy. But, ¡cuidado! (be careful!) When each guest tries to hit the pinata, make sure you’re standing at least five meters away so you don’t get hit!

The origins of the piñata are as diverse as their designs. One historical thread traces back to the Aztecs, who celebrated the birth of their god Huitzilopochtli with a similar practice, using pots filled with offerings.

Another origin traces back to ancient China, where Marco Polo witnessed the use of animal effigies filled with seeds during festivities. Some believe that he transported this concept to Italy, where it evolved into a game called “pignatta,” using clay pots. This tradition then spread to Spain and eventually reached Mexico in the 16th century.

Master Spanish so you can celebrate in full!

To enjoy the birthday celebrations of your Spanish-speaking friends or colleagues, having a high level of the language and an understanding of different cultures is vital. Ready to level up your skills and knowledge but don’t know where to start? Preply can help.

Preply specializes in connecting you with native tutors who customize their teaching based on your goals and preferences. The best part? This platform enables you to learn Spanish online with real tutors whenever you want.

With 1-on-1 classes starting at $10 a session, nothing is stopping you from becoming fluent. Ready to fully immerse yourself in Spanish celebrations and beyond? Then read our handy guide on how to find the right tutor before booking your trial class today!