Tips for Expressing Birthday Wishes in German

The most common phrases for wishing someone a happy birthday in German are 'Alles Gute zum Geburtstag' and 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag.' However, there are alternative ways to convey birthday greetings in the German language. Here are several examples that you may find helpful.

Exclaim 'Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!' This translates closely to 'happy birthday' in German and conveys wishes for a wonderful day.

• Alles means 'everything' or 'all.'
• Gute is derived from the German word for 'good,' 'fine,' or 'nice.'
• The term zum means 'to' or 'for,' and Geburtstag means 'birthday.'
• Pronounce the entire phrase as ah-less goo-teh tsoom geh-buhrtz-tahg.

Offer 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag.' This is a common congratulatory birthday wish.

• It can be translated as 'heartfelt congratulations for your birthday' or 'many happy returns.'
• Herzlichen means 'heartfelt' or 'sincere,' while Glückwunsch means 'congratulation.'
• The term zum means 'on' or 'for,' and Geburtstag means 'birthday.'
• Pronounce the phrase as hairtz-lich('ch' as in 'aCH' NOT as in 'CHair')-enn glook-vuhnsh tsoom geh-buhrtz-tahg.

Say 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch nachträglich' or 'Nachträglich alles Gute zum Geburtstag' for belated wishes. Both convey 'happy belated birthday' in English.

• Nachträglich means 'later' or 'belated.'
• Herzlichen Glückwunsch nachträglich translates to 'heartfelt congratulations belated.' Pronounce it as hairtz-lich('ch' as in 'ach' NOT as in 'CHair')-enn glook-vuhnsh nach('ch' as in 'aCH' NOT as in 'CHair')-traygh-lich('ch' as in 'aCH' NOT as in 'CHair').
• 'Nachträglich alles Gute zum Geburtstag' means 'belated all the best for your birthday.' Pronounce it as nach(again as in 'aCH')-traygh-lich(again as in 'aCH') ah-less goo-teh tsoom geh-buhrtz-tahg.

Express 'All the Best for Your Birthday!' This phrase offers warm wishes for a happy birthday.

• Alles means 'all' or 'everything,' zum means 'for,' and Geburtstag means 'birthday.'
• Das Beste translates to 'the best.'
• Pronounce it as ah-less dahss behsteh tsoom geh-buhrtz-tahg.

Offer 'We wish you a wonderful day.' Use this phrase to convey wishes for a fantastic day.

• Wir means 'we' in English.
• Wünschen is a German verb meaning 'wish,' 'want,' or 'desire.'
• Ihnen is a polite way of saying 'you.' To make this informal, replace Ihnen with Dir, pronounced as deahr.
• Einen means 'one' or 'a.'
• Wunderschönen means 'lovely,' 'wonderful,' or 'beautiful.'
• Tag means 'day.'
• Pronounce it as veer vuhnshen ee-nen aye-nen vuhn-deher-shuhn-nen tahg.

Express Hope with 'May Your Day Be Filled with Love and Joy.' This conveys warm wishes for happiness on the birthday.

• Auf means 'on' or 'upon.'
• Dass is a German conjunction meaning 'that' in English.
• Ihr is a polite way of saying 'your.' For a more informal version, use Dein, pronounced as dine.
• Tag means 'day.'
• Mit means 'with.'
• Liebe means love. Und means 'and,' and Freude means 'joy' or 'happiness.'
• The phrase erfüllt ist translates roughly into 'filled with.'
• Pronounce it as owf dahss eer tahg mitt lee-beh oond froy-deh ehr-foolt ist.

Express Regret with 'Unfortunately, We Cannot Celebrate with You.' This phrase expresses sadness for not being able to celebrate together.

• Schade means 'shame' or 'pity.'
• The word dass means 'that' and wir means 'we.'
• The term nicht means 'not,' and können means 'can.'
• Mitfeiern means 'celebrate together.'
• Pronounce it as shah-deh dahss veer neecht('ch' as in 'aCH' NOT as in 'CHair' mitt-fy-ehrn keu-nenn.

Inquire 'How's the Birthday Person Doing?' This question checks on the well-being of the birthday individual.

• Wie geht’s is a German interjection that translates to 'how are you doing?' in English.
• The term dem means 'the.'
• Geburtstagkind refers to the birthday person, either boy or girl.
• Pronounce it as vee gates dehm geh-buhrtz-tahg-kint.

Also Inquire 'How Old Are You?' This question is for asking someone's age.

• Wie means 'how' and alt means 'old.' Bist means 'are.'
• The term du means 'you.' For a more polite form, use Sie instead of du, as in 'Wie alt sind Sie?'
• Pronounce it as vee ahlt bist due (or 'vee ahlt zindt zee')

Express 'Sending Lots of Love for Your Birthday.' This conveys warm wishes for the birthday person.

• Alles means 'all' or 'everything.' 'Zum Geburtstag' means 'for your birthday.'
• Liebe means 'love.'
• Pronounce it as ah-less lee-beh tsoom geh-buhrtz-tahg.