Wishing someone a happy birthday is a joyous occasion, and doing it in their native language adds a special touch. If you’re looking to surprise your Spanish-speaking coworkers or friends (I have had a quite few) on their special day, here’s a guide to help you express your birthday wishes in Spanish, complete with tips for pronunciation. We’ll break it down into simple phrases for both coworkers and friends, making it easy and fun to convey your heartfelt wishes.
When it comes to colleagues, the key is to keep it professional yet warm. Here’s a table to guide you through some phrases, including how to say them and when to use them.
Spanish Phrase | English Translation | Context | Pronunciation Hint |
¡Feliz cumpleaños! | Happy Birthday! | Basic greeting, for cards or in person. | Feh-lees koom-play-ah-nyos! |
Que pases un excelente día | Have a great day | Informal and friendly, for morning greetings. | Keh pah-ses oon eks-seh-len-teh dee-ah |
Espero que tengas un magnífico cumpleaños | I hope you have a magnificent birthday | For a closer colleague, via email or message. | Es-peh-roh keh ten-gahs oon mag-nee-fee-koh koom-play-ah-nyos |
¡Que este nuevo año de vida te traiga mucha felicidad! | May this new year of life bring you lots of happiness | For speeches or more formal occasions. | Keh es-teh noo-eh-vo ah-nyo deh vee-dah teh try-ah-gah moo-cha feh-lee-see-dahd |
With friends, you can afford to be more casual and affectionate. Here’s how you can express your wishes.
Spanish Phrase | English Translation | Context | Pronunciation Hint |
¡Felicidades en tu cumpleaños! | Congratulations on your birthday! | Simple and affectionate, for cards or in-person greetings. | Feh-lee-see-dah-des en too koom-play-ah-nyos! |
¡Que cumplas muchos más! | May you have many more! | Toasting at their birthday party. | Keh koom-plahs moo-chos mahs! |
¿Qué se siente cumplir 29 otra vez? ¡Ja! | How does it feel to turn 29 again? Ha! | Joking with a friend about their age. | Keh seh see-en-teh koom-pleer vehn-tee-noo-eh-veh otra vehs? Ha! |
¡Vamos a celebrar a lo grande! | Let’s celebrate big time! | Inviting them to a big celebration. | Vah-mos ah seh-leh-brahr ah loh grahn-deh! |
Te deseo un cumpleaños tan especial como tú lo eres para mí. | I wish you a birthday as special as you are to me. | For a heartfelt letter or email to a close friend. | Teh deh-seo oon koom-play-ah-nyos tahn es-peh-see-al co-mo too loh eh-res pah-rah mee. |
Tips for Pronunciation
Armed with these phrases and tips, you’re ready to bring joy and surprise to your Spanish-speaking colleagues and friends on their birthdays. Whether it’s through a simple greeting, a heartfelt message, or a humorous joke, expressing your wishes in Spanish is sure to make their day even more special.
Spanish Phrase | English Translation | Pronunciation Hint | Context for Use |
---|---|---|---|
¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños? | When is your birthday? | Kwan-doh es too koom-play-ah-nyos? | General use, informal. |
¿Cuál es la fecha de tu cumpleaños? | What is the date of your birthday? | Kwal es la feh-cha deh too koom-play-ah-nyos? | Slightly more formal, detail-oriented. |
¿Puedo saber cuándo cumples años? | Can I know when you have your birthday? | Pweh-doh sah-ber kwan-doh koom-ples ah-nyos? | Polite, indirect approach. |
¿Cuándo celebras tu cumpleaños? | When do you celebrate your birthday? | Kwan-doh seh-leh-brahs too koom-play-ah-nyos? | Direct, but focuses on celebration rather than the actual date. |
¿Tienes algún plan para tu cumpleaños? | Do you have any plans for your birthday? | Tee-eh-nes ahl-goon plan pah-rah too koom-play-ah-nyos? | Casual, initiating further conversation about birthday plans. |
These variations allow you to choose the most appropriate way to ask about someone’s birthday based on your relationship with them and the context of your conversation. Whether you’re asking out of curiosity, planning a surprise, or simply making conversation, these phrases will help you navigate the discussion with ease.
Telling a lover how you feel in Spanish can be both romantic and heartfelt. Spanish, with its expressive nature and rich vocabulary, offers a beautiful way to convey your emotions. Here are some phrases and tips on how to express your love and affection in Spanish, perfect for different moments and emotions you might want to share with your partner.
Spanish Phrase | English Translation | Pronunciation Hint | When to Use It |
Te amo | I love you | Teh ah-moh | Deep, profound love |
Te quiero | I love you | Teh kee-eh-roh | Romantic or strong affection |
Eres el amor de mi vida | You are the love of my life | Eh-res el ah-mor deh mee vee-dah | Expressing a deep commitment |
Eres hermoso/hermosa | You are handsome/beautiful | Eh-res air-moh-soh/air-moh-sah | Complimenting your lover’s appearance |
Me encanta tu sonrisa | I love your smile | Meh en-can-tah too son-ree-sah | Complimenting a specific quality |
Me haces muy feliz | You make me very happy | Meh ah-ces moo-ee feh-lees | Expressing the joy your lover brings you |
Estoy mejor contigo | I’m better with you | Es-toy meh-hor con-tee-go | Sharing how they positively affect your life |
Quiero pasar el resto de mi vida contigo | I want to spend the rest of my life with you | Key-eh-roh pah-sar el res-toh deh mee vee-dah con-tee-go | When talking about a future together |
No puedo imaginar mi vida sin ti | I can’t imagine my life without you | No pwe-do ee-mah-hee-nar mee vee-dah seen tee | Expressing how indispensable they are to your life |
Feel free to use these phrases to express your feelings, ensuring you pick the right moment and setting for each. Pronunciation tips are a guide to help you sound as natural as possible, but remember, the sincerity behind the words is what truly conveys your affection.Te quiero!