How to Say Happy Birthday in Chinese: 生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè)
Happy birthday in Chinese is 生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè). Hear it, learn the birthday wishes Chinese speakers add, and the traditions behind a Chinese birthday.
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To say happy birthday in Chinese, say 生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè): 生日 shēngrì means birthday, 快乐 kuàilè means happy.
How to pronounce 生日快乐#
- 生 shēng: first tone, high and flat.
- 日 rì: fourth tone; the r is said with the tongue curled back.
- 快 kuài: fourth tone, a firm fall.
- 乐 lè: fourth tone again, a little lighter.
Three falling tones in a row give the phrase its cheerful rhythm. If tones are new to you, hear them first in the Chinese tones guide.
我想在生日那天去看海。
I want to go to see the sea on my birthday.
祝你生日快乐！
Happy birthday!
Birthday wishes in Chinese#
- 祝你生日快乐 adds 祝 zhù, "to wish": it is the line of the birthday song.
- 祝您长命百岁 is a warm wish for grandparents and older people; 您 is the polite "you".
- 心想事成 xīnxiǎng shìchéng, "may all your wishes come true", is a popular addition in cards and messages.
Birthday traditions#
Many families serve 长寿面, long noodles that represent a long life: you should not cut them. For older relatives, big round birthdays such as 60 or 80 are often celebrated with the whole family.
More phrases for special days#
A birthday message often ends with a warm I love you or a simple thank you. Learn how to say I love you in Chinese and how to say thank you in Chinese, or explore more basic Chinese words.
Quick check
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in Chinese?
Say 生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè). 生日 means birthday and 快乐 means happy. To wish it to someone directly, say 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè), "I wish you a happy birthday".
How do you sing happy birthday in Chinese?
The Chinese version of the song uses the same melody and repeats 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè) on every line.
What do Chinese people eat on their birthday?
Many families eat 长寿面 (chángshòumiàn), long noodles for a long life, often with an egg. A birthday cake, 生日蛋糕 (shēngrì dàngāo), is common too.
