Birthday Message in Chinese – 7 Ways to Say Birthday in Mandarin

Do you want to know about birthday messages in chinese? Birthdays are an important celebration in one’s life, and it is no different in Chinese culture. In fact, birthdays hold a special place in the hearts of the Chinese people as they believe that it marks the beginning of a new year in one’s life. This belief is deeply rooted in their traditional philosophy.In this article, we will explore the different ways to say “birthday” in Chinese Mandarin and how to correctly use them in various contexts. So let’s dive into this cultural and linguistic journey of wishing someone a happy birthday message in chinese!

Part 1: Overview of how birthdays are celebrated in China

In Chinese culture, birthdays are seen as a time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate. It is not uncommon for people to throw elaborate birthday parties with delicious food, gifts, and red envelopes filled with money.

In fact, the Chinese have a saying that goes “生日快乐，天天都是好日子” (shēng rì kuài lè, tiān tiān dōu shì hǎo rì zi), which translates to “Happy birthday, every day is a good day”. This saying reflects the Chinese belief that birthdays bring joy and blessings not just on the day itself, but every day throughout the year.

Part 2: 7 Modern & Traditional Birthday Messages in Chinese

Now that we understand the cultural significance of birthdays in Chinese culture, let’s explore how to say “birthday” in Mandarin. Here are seven ways to wish someone a happy birthday in chinese traditional:

1. 生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè) 

This is the most common and basic way to say “happy birthday” in Chinese. It is appropriate for both formal and informal occasions.

2. 生日好 (shēng rì hǎo) 

This phrase also means “happy birthday” but is a more casual and friendly way to say it.

3. 多用功地生日快乐 (duō yòng gōng dì shēng rì kuài lè) 

This phrase roughly translates to “happy birthday for your hard work” and is commonly used to wish someone who has been working hard.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 3: How to Say Happy Birthday in Chinese

Birthdays are a momentous occasion in any culture, and it is no different in Chinese culture. In fact, birthdays hold special significance as they symbolize the beginning of a new year in one’s life. Being able to say “happy birthday” in Mandarin is not only a linguistic skill but also shows cultural understanding and respect.

From the basic phrase “生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè)” to the traditional saying “寿比南山 (shòu bǐ nán shān)”, there are various ways to wish someone a happy birthday in Chinese. This article explores seven modern and traditional birthday greetings in Chinese, giving readers a deeper understanding of this important part of Chinese culture. 

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Part 4: The Happy Birthday Song in Mandarin

The Happy Birthday song is a beloved and well-known tune that is sung in various languages around the world. In Mandarin, it is called “生日快乐歌 (shēng rì kuài lè gē)”, which translates to “Happy Birthday Song”. This popular birthday song has a slightly different melody and lyrics compared to its English version.

The Mandarin version is often sung at birthday parties and celebrations, accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng or erhu. Despite the cultural differences, the Happy Birthday song in Mandarin still holds the same sentiment of well wishes and celebration for the person’s special day. 

Part 5: 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.”
• chinese birthday wishes for friend: “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.”

Part 6: How To Make Chinese Birthday Wishes

Birthdays are an important celebration in Chinese culture, and it is customary to exchange well wishes and blessings on this special day. However, simply saying “happy birthday” may not convey the depth of your feelings towards the person. To make your Chinese birthday wishes more meaningful, consider adding a personal touch or incorporating traditional phrases such as “寿比南山 (shòu bǐ nán shān)” or “恭祝寿如东海，寿比南山 (gōng zhù shòu rú dōng hǎi, shòu bǐ nán shān)”.

Additionally, consider using the proper honorifics and addressing the person’s age in your birthday message. With these tips, you can make your Chinese birthday wishes heartfelt and show the person how much they mean to you.

Part 7: Birthday Traditions and Customs

Birthdays are celebrated with great enthusiasm and significance in Chinese culture, as they mark the beginning of a new year in one’s life. Traditional customs include throwing elaborate parties with delicious food, gifts, and red envelopes filled with money. Additionally, there are various birthday greetings and well wishes that hold special meaning and cultural significance.

These can range from basic phrases like “生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè)” to traditional sayings such as “寿比南山 (shòu bǐ nán shān)”, all conveying wishes for a long and prosperous life. The Happy Birthday song in Mandarin is also a popular tradition, sung with traditional Chinese instruments at birthday celebrations.

Part 8: FAQs About Birthday Message in Chinese:

Q1: Can Birthday Message in Chinese be used for all ages?

Yes, the birthday messages mentioned above can be used for people of all ages. However, it is common to use more traditional sayings like “寿比南山 (shòu bǐ nán shān)” for older individuals and more casual phrases like “生日好 (shēng rì hǎo)” for younger individuals. Be mindful of using proper honorifics and addressing the person’s age in your message.

Q2:  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

Birthdays hold special meaning in Chinese culture as they symbolize the beginning of a new year in one’s life. From basic phrases like “生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè)” to traditional sayings like “寿比南山 (shòu bǐ nán shān)”, there are various ways to wish someone a happy birthday in Mandarin.

Traditional customs include throwing elaborate parties, and giving out red envelopes with money. The Happy Birthday song is also sung at celebrations, accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments. So next time you want to wish someone a birthday message in chinese, remember these tips and make their special day even more memorable.