Best Ways to Say Happy Birthday in Chinese & Birthday Wishes in Chinese

Do you want to know how to say “Happy Birthday” in Chinese Mandarin? Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 1 billion native speakers. One special occasion that is celebrated worldwide is birthdays, and knowing how to say “happy birthday” in Chinese can make a loved one feel extra special.

In this article, we will explore the best ways to convey happy birthday wishes in Chinese. So let’s dive into the world of Chinese happy birthday and make someone’s birthday a truly memorable one! WuKong Education will take you into this cultural and linguistic journey of wishing someone a happy birthday message in chinese!

Part 1: Ways to say Say Happy Birthday in Chinese

Saying “happy birthday” in Chinese can be done in several ways, each with its own unique meaning and sentiment. Some common phrases include “生日快乐” (shēng rì kuài lè), which is the most basic way to say it, and “祝你生日快乐” (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè), which is more personal and direct.

Other longer phrases like “祝你在你的生日里快乐” (zhù nǐ zài nǐ de shēng rì lǐ kuài lè) or traditional greetings such as “祝福你生日快樂” (zhù fú nǐ shēng rì kuài lè) are also popular. Additionally, there are different ways to write “happy birthday” in Chinese characters, so it’s always a good idea to consult with a native speaker or language expert for specific nuances.

1. Universal Versions:

1) 生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè)

This is the most basic and commonly used way to say “happy birthday” in Chinese. It literally translates to “birthday happy” and can be used for any age or gender. This phrase is also used in other Mandarin-speaking countries like Taiwan and Singapore.

2) 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè)

This phrase means “I wish you a happy birthday” and is more personal compared to the first one. It shows that you are directly addressing the birthday person and expressing your good wishes for them.

3) 祝你在你的生日里快乐 (zhù nǐ zài nǐ de shēng rì lǐ kuài lè)

This is a longer version of the previous phrase and means “I wish you happiness on your birthday”. It adds an extra emphasis on wishing the person a happy and enjoyable day.

2. For A Student or Child:

4) 生日快乐，愿你前程似锦 (shēng rì kuài lè, yuàn nǐ qián chéng sì jǐn)

This phrase translates to “happy birthday, may your future be as bright as brocade”. It is a common way to wish someone success and prosperity in their upcoming year of life.

3. For A Friend:

5) 祝你一年更比一年幸福 (zhù nǐ yī nián gèng bǐ yī nián xìng fú)

This phrase means “wishing you more happiness with each passing year”. It is a warm and heartfelt way to wish someone continued joy and blessings in their life.

6) 祝你年年有今日，岁岁有今朝 (zhù nǐ nián nián yǒu jīn rì, suì suì yǒu jīn zhāo)

This is a traditional Chinese birthday greeting that translates to “may you have this day every year and this moment every year”. It expresses the hope for the person to celebrate their birthday for many years to come.

4. For An Elderly Person

7) 祝你青春常驻，生日快乐 (zhù nǐ qīng chūn cháng zhù, shēng rì kuài lè)

This phrase means “wishing you eternal youth and a happy birthday”. It is a playful way to wish someone continued vitality and joy in their life.

Part 2: Happy Birthday in Traditional Chinese

If you want to add a personal touch and write traditional birthday in Chinese characters, here are some examples:

• 生日快樂 (shēng rì kuài lè)
• 生辰快樂 (shēng chén kuài lè)
• 你的生日快樂 (nǐ de shēng rì kuài lè)
• 祝福你生日快樂 (zhù fú nǐ shēng rì kuài lè)

Part 3: Happy Birthday in Chinese Mandarin

Happy birthday is a phrase that brings joy and celebration to people all over the world. In Chinese Mandarin, one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, there are several ways to express this sentiment.

From the basic “生日快乐” (shēng rì kuài lè) to longer phrases like “祝你在你的生日里快乐” (zhù nǐ zài nǐ de shēng rì lǐ kuài lè), each phrase carries its own unique meaning and wishes for the person celebrating their birthday.

Whether you choose to write it in simplified or traditional Chinese characters, one thing is certain: saying “happy birthday” in Chinese Mandarin is a thoughtful and heartfelt way to show someone you care.

Part 4: How to Write Happy Birthday in Chinese?

Now that we have explored some common ways to say “happy birthday” in Chinese, let’s look at how to write it. Chinese characters can be written in traditional or simplified forms, and there are different ways to write the same phrase. Here are a few examples:

• 生日快乐 (simplified)
• 生日快樂 (traditional)
• 祝你生日快乐 (simplified)
• 祝您生日快樂 (traditional)

No matter which form or version you choose, the meaning and sentiment behind the phrase remain the same. It’s always a good idea to check with a native speaker or language expert for any specific nuances in writing Chinese characters.

Part 5: How Do You Sing the “Happy Birthday” Song in Chinese?

Singing the “Happy Birthday” song in Chinese is a fun and thoughtful way to celebrate someone’s special day. There are several versions of the song, but the most common one goes like this:

“祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐”

(zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè).

This translates to “I wish you a happy birthday, I wish you a happy birthday, I wish you a happy birthday, I wish you a happy birthday.” It is commonly sung in both Mandarin and Cantonese, and can be accompanied by clapping or other festive gestures.

Part 6: Modern & Traditional Birthday Messages in Chinese

1. 寿比南山 (shòu bǐ nán shān) 

This traditional saying means “longevity as the southern mountains” and is often used to wish someone a long and healthy life on their birthday.

2. 身体健康，万事如意 (shēn tǐ jiàn kāng, wàn shì rú yì) 

This phrase use for “chinese birthday wishes good health and may all your wishes come true” and is a popular way to wish someone well on their birthday.

3. 祝你青春永驻 (zhù nǐ qīng chūn yǒng zhù)

This phrase means “wishing you eternal youth” and is often used to wish someone a happy birthday in a lighthearted manner.

4. 恭祝寿如东海，寿比南山 (gōng zhù shòu rú dōng hǎi, shòu bǐ nán shān)

This traditional saying is a combination of two popular birthday wishes and means “may your longevity be as boundless as the East Sea and may you have a long life like the Southern Mountains”.

Part 7: Chinese Birthday Wishes for Mother, Father, and Friends

In Chinese culture, family plays a significant role in one’s life. Therefore, it is common for people to wish their parents and friends a happy birthday with special messages that convey love and gratitude. Here are some examples of Chinese birthday wishes for mother, father, and friends:

For Mother

“亲爱的妈妈，祝您生日快乐，永远健康幸福 (qīn ài de mā mā, zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè, yǒng yuǎn jiàn kāng xìng fú)” which means “Dear mother, I wish you a happy birthday and eternal health and happiness.”

For Father

“亲爱的爸爸，祝您生日快乐，事业成功 (qīn ài de bà ba, zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè, shì yè chéng gōng)” which means “Dear father, I wish you a happy birthday and a successful career.”

For Friends

“亲爱的朋友，祝你生日快乐，心想事成 (qīn ài de péng yǒu, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, xīn xiǎng shì chéng)” which means “Dear friend, I wish you a happy birthday and may all your wishes come true.”

FAQs About Chinese Happy Birthday:

Q1: Is “生日快乐” the only way to say happy birthday in Chinese?

No, there are several ways to say happy birthday in Chinese, each with its own unique meaning and sentiment. Other common phrases include “祝你生日快乐” (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè) and “祝你在你的生日里快乐” (zhù nǐ zài nǐ de shēng rì lǐ kuài lè). There are different ways to write and pronounce these phrases in Chinese characters.

Q2: How do you say “I wish you happiness on your birthday” in Chinese?

One way to express this sentiment is by saying “祝你在你的生日里快乐” (zhù nǐ zài nǐ de shēng rì lǐ kuài lè), which translates to “I wish you happiness on your birthday”. This phrase adds an extra emphasis on wishing the person a happy and enjoyable day. Also, “祝你生日快乐” (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè) or “生日快乐，愿你前程似锦” (shēng rì kuài lè, yuàn nǐ qián chéng sì jǐn) are common ways to express this sentiment.

Q3: Are there any other traditional birthday sayings in Chinese?

Yes, there are many other traditional birthday sayings in Chinese such as “福如东海，寿比南山 (fú rú dōng hǎi, shòu bǐ nán shān)” which means “may you have blessings as boundless as the East Sea and longevity like the Southern Mountains”.

Also, “寿比南山，福如东海 (shòu bǐ nán shān, fú rú dōng hǎi)” which is a variation of the previous saying and means “may your longevity surpass the Southern Mountains and blessings bountiful like the East Sea”.

Summary

Saying “happy birthday” in Chinese can be done in various ways, each with its own unique meaning and sentiment. Some common phrases include “生日快乐” (shēng rì kuài lè) and “祝你生日快乐” (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè), and there are different ways to write it in Chinese characters.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a native speaker or language expert for specific nuances in writing and saying “happy birthday” in Chinese. No matter how you choose to say it, the sentiment remains the same wishing someone a happy and joyful birthday. If you want to learn more about Chinese culture, please follow Wukong Chinese.

Bella | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree from Yangzhou University. Possessing 10 years of experience in K-12 Chinese language teaching and research, with over 10 published papers in teh field of language and literature. Currently responsible for teh research and production of “WuKong Chinese” major courses, particularly focusing on teh course’s interest, expansiveness, and its impact on students’ thinking development. She also dedicated to helping children acquire a stronger foundation in Chinese language learning, including Chinese characters, phonetics (pinyin), vocabulary, idioms, classic stories, and Chinese culture. Our Chinese language courses for academic advancement aim to provide children with a wealth of noledge and a deeper understanding of Chinese language skills.