If you have Portuguese-speaking friends or family, wishing them a happy birthday in their native language will definitely make their day extra special. Whether you’re celebrating in Brazil or Portugal, knowing how to say Happy Birthday in Portuguese will not only make you stand out but also help you connect more authentically with Portuguese-speaking cultures. In this article, we’ll go through the most common and creative ways to wish someone a happy birthday in Portuguese.
The Most Common Ways to Say “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese
1. Feliz Aniversário
The most standard and widely used phrase for “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese is Feliz Aniversário (feh-LEEZ ah-nee-ver-SAH-ree-oh). This expression is used in both Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese and is equivalent to saying “Happy Anniversary” in English, though it specifically refers to birthdays.
2. Parabéns
Another popular way to say “Happy Birthday” is by using Parabéns (pah-rah-BAINS), which translates to “Congratulations.” Though it’s a general term for congratulations, it’s commonly used on birthdays in Portuguese-speaking countries.
You can also combine both phrases for a more heartfelt wish: “Feliz Aniversário, Parabéns!”
3. Feliz Aniversário Pra Você
To make your birthday wish more personal, you can say “Feliz Aniversário pra você” (feh-LEEZ ah-nee-ver-SAH-ree-oh prah voh-SAY), which translates to “Happy Birthday to you.” The addition of pra você adds warmth, making it a more intimate greeting.
How to Personalize Birthday Wishes in Portuguese
One of the great things about Portuguese is that it allows you to personalize your birthday wishes easily. You can add a person’s name, nickname, or endearing terms to your message. Below are some customizable templates for different situations:
1. Feliz Aniversário, [Name]!
Add the person’s name or nickname after Feliz Aniversário for a direct and personal greeting.
Example: “Feliz Aniversário, João!” (Happy Birthday, João!)
2. Parabéns, [Name] Querido(a)!
You can also use Querido (for a male) or Querida (for a female) after the name to show affection.
Example: “Parabéns, Maria querida!” (Congratulations, dear Maria!)
3. Muitas Felicidades, [Meu/Minha] [Term of Endearment]!
Use this phrase to wish someone “many happiness” along with a sweet term of endearment like amor (love), anjo (angel), or bem (dear).
Example: “Muitas felicidades, meu amor!” (Many happiness, my love!)
4. Tudo de Bom Pra Você, [Name]!
This casual birthday greeting means “All the best to you” and can be used with a name or term of affection.
Example: “Tudo de bom pra você, querido!” (All the best to you, dear!)
Creative Ways to Say “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese
Beyond the basic “Feliz Aniversário,” there are many creative and unique birthday wishes that can make your greeting stand out. These phrases are often used in social media posts or birthday cards.
1. Parabéns Pelo Seu Dia!
This phrase translates to “Congratulations on your day!” and is a casual and friendly greeting.
Example: “Parabéns pelo seu dia, amigo!” (Congratulations on your day, friend!)
2. Muitas Felicidades!
Muitas felicidades (moo-EE-tahs feh-lee-see-DAH-jehs) means “Many happiness” or “Many felicities”, and it’s a formal and traditional way to wish someone a joyful birthday.
Example: “Muitas felicidades, meu amigo!” (Many happiness, my friend!)
3. Que Seu Dia Seja Especial!
This translates to “May your day be special!” and is a thoughtful and warm wish for someone.
Example: “Que seu dia seja especial, querida!” (May your day be special, dear!)
4. Feliz Novo Ano de Vida!
Feliz Novo Ano de Vida (feh-LEEZ NOH-voo AH-noo jee VEE-dah) means “Happy new year of life!” This is a poetic and heartfelt way to wish someone happiness in the year ahead.
Example: “Feliz novo ano de vida, irmão!” (Happy new year of life, brother!)
How to Sing “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese
If you’re attending a birthday party in a Portuguese-speaking country, don’t miss the opportunity to join in singing “Parabéns a Você” (pah-rah-BAINS ah voh-SAY), which is the Portuguese version of the classic “Happy Birthday” song.
Here are the lyrics to the Portuguese birthday song:
Parabéns a você (Happy birthday to you)
Nesta data querida (On this dear date)
Muitas felicidades (Many happiness)
Muitos anos de vida (Many years of life)
Viva o/a [name]! (Long live [name]!)
Key Vocabulary to Use During a Birthday Celebration
If you’re attending a festa de aniversário (birthday party) and want to engage in conversations, here are some birthday-related words that can help you:
- Festa de aniversário (Birthday party)
- Bolo (Cake)
- Presente (Gift)
- Vela(s) (Candle(s))
- Convite (Invitation)
- Surpresa (Surprise)
- Decoração (Decoration)
- Balões (Balloons)
- Doces (Sweets/Candy)
- Brigadeiros (Brazilian chocolate truffles)
- Aniversariante (Birthday person)
- Comemoração (Celebration)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese is a fun and engaging way to connect with your Portuguese-speaking friends and family. Whether you’re in Brazil, Portugal, or simply celebrating with Portuguese speakers, using these phrases will certainly make you stand out. Additionally, if you’re learning Portuguese and want to improve your language skills, the International English Test (IET) is a great way to assess your Portuguese proficiency, which can be useful in understanding bilingual greetings and communication in any language.
By practicing these birthday wishes and expanding your Portuguese vocabulary, you’ll be able to engage more meaningfully in birthday celebrations and social conversations in the future.