How to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish
How do you say happy birthday in Spanish? Say 'Feliz cumpleaños' (feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos). Pronunciation, the birthday song, and warm wishes to send.
Published · 2 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
To say happy birthday in Spanish, say 'Feliz cumpleaños' (feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos). It literally means 'happy birthday' and works everywhere, formal or informal. A common shortcut is just 'Feliz cumple' (feh-LEES KOOM-pleh) among friends. The ñ is a 'ny' sound, as in 'canyon.'
Feliz cumpleaños
/feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos/ — Spanish
How to Say Happy Birthday in Spanish
Birthdays are a big, warm celebration across the Spanish-speaking world, and the phrase you need is delightfully straightforward: Feliz cumpleaños. Whether you’re signing a card, sending a text, or singing at a party, this is the go-to greeting in all 20+ Spanish-speaking countries.
The Essential Phrase: Feliz Cumpleaños
Feliz cumpleaños — pronounced feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos
It literally means “happy birthday.” Feliz = happy; cumpleaños = birthday, a compound of cumple (turns/completes) and años (years), so “completing years.”
It’s register-neutral: appropriate for your boss, your grandmother, or your best friend.
Copy the Phrase
The Spanish way to say happy birthday is Feliz cumpleaños (feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos).
Warm Birthday Wishes & Variations
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Feliz cumpleaños | feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos | Happy birthday |
| Feliz cumple | feh-LEES KOOM-pleh | Happy b-day (casual) |
| Feliz día | feh-LEES DEE-ah | Happy day (Latin America) |
| ¡Felicidades! | feh-lee-see-DAH-des | Congratulations! / Best wishes! |
| Que cumplas muchos más | keh KOOM-plas MOO-chos mahs | Many happy returns (may you have many more) |
| Te deseo lo mejor | teh deh-SEH-oh loh meh-HOR | I wish you the best |
| Que tengas un feliz día | keh TEN-gas oon feh-LEES DEE-ah | May you have a happy day |
Putting It Together
To make it heartfelt, combine the greeting with a wish:
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños! Que cumplas muchos más. — Happy birthday! Many happy returns.
- Feliz cumpleaños, te deseo todo lo mejor. — Happy birthday, I wish you all the best.
- ¡Feliz cumple! Que la pases increíble. — Happy b-day! Have an amazing time.
The Birthday Song
The familiar “Happy Birthday to You” melody is sung in Spanish as:
Feliz cumpleaños a ti, feliz cumpleaños a ti, feliz cumpleaños [name], feliz cumpleaños a ti.
In Mexico, the beloved traditional serenade is Las Mañanitas, an older song often sung early in the morning to wake the birthday person — quite different from the standard tune.
Pronunciation Tips
- The ñ: This is the heart of cumpleaños. It’s a “ny” sound like the ni in “onion” — so “AH-nyos,” not “AH-nos.”
- Feliz: Stress the second syllable: feh-LEES. The final Z sounds like an S in Latin America (and like English “th” in much of Spain).
- Cumpleaños: Stress lands on the AH before the ñ.
Cultural Notes
Birthday celebrations in Spanish-speaking cultures are lively and communal. In Latin America you’ll often hear ¡Felicidades! (congratulations) right alongside Feliz cumpleaños. Many countries cherish unique traditions — the piñata in Mexico, the quinceañera (a girl’s 15th-birthday celebration), and Las Mañanitas sung at dawn. A small but kind touch: in much of the region people also use Feliz día warmly. Add the person’s name and a wish, and your Feliz cumpleaños will feel genuinely heartfelt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say happy birthday in Spanish?
You say 'Feliz cumpleaños' (feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos). It's the universal birthday greeting across all Spanish-speaking countries and works in any setting. Casually, friends often shorten it to 'Feliz cumple' (feh-LEES KOOM-pleh).
How do you pronounce Feliz cumpleaños?
It's 'feh-LEES koom-pleh-AH-nyos.' Stress 'feliz' on the second syllable (feh-LEES) and 'cumpleaños' on the 'AH' before the ñ. The ñ is pronounced 'ny' like the 'ni' in 'onion' or 'canyon' — so the ending is 'AH-nyos.'
What does Feliz cumpleaños literally mean?
'Feliz' means 'happy' and 'cumpleaños' means 'birthday.' The word 'cumpleaños' combines 'cumple' (from cumplir, to complete/turn) and 'años' (years) — literally 'completing years.' So it's literally 'happy birthday.'
Is Feliz cumpleaños formal or informal?
'Feliz cumpleaños' is neutral — perfect for both formal and informal occasions, anyone of any age. For extra warmth add a name or wish, like 'Feliz cumpleaños, te deseo lo mejor' (happy birthday, I wish you the best). The casual short form 'Feliz cumple' is friends-only.
What is the happy birthday song in Spanish?
The most common version sung is: 'Feliz cumpleaños a ti, feliz cumpleaños a ti, feliz cumpleaños [name], feliz cumpleaños a ti.' In Mexico the traditional song is 'Las Mañanitas,' a separate, older birthday serenade.