How to sing Happy Birthday in Spanish
Alicia Fernández
• May 11, 2023
• 6 minutes
Updated Jul 24, 2024
In this volume, we discuss the alphabet, definite and indefinite articles, and verbs ser and estar, among other topics.
Get ready to party, Spanish style! When's your special day? Are you a fan of birthday festivities? Do you appreciate getting heartfelt birthday greetings? Birthdays are usually beautiful days to celebrate and reflect on the past year while being grateful for the experiences, lessons, and growth we’ve had. I'm sure you wish your friends, family, and even coworkers a happy birthday (if you remember!).
Ever wondered how to wish someone a happy birthday in Spanish? No worries! This article will guide you through not only saying Happy Birthday but also singing the beloved birthday song in Spanish. Plus, we'll dive into other common vocabulary and phrases surrounding birthdays, ensuring you're well-equipped for any fiesta!
Let’s get started!
To begin, we'll take a look at the basic Spanish phrases you can use to wish someone a happy birthday:
The word feliz means happy, and although the word cumpleaños is translated as birthday, literally it means to turn years in this context. This noun is formed by the word cumple (from the verb cumplir which also means to meet, to fulfill, to comply, to accomplish) and the word años, which means years). So, the word cumpleaños means celebrating the completion/accomplishment of another year!
¡Ojo! As you may have already figured out, cumple is just an abbreviation of cumpleaños. It's very common to say cumple instead of cumpleaños in informal settings, especially among young people and kids who prefer the shorter version of the word.
Now that we know how to wish someone a happy birthday, let's see how we sing the birthday song! In Spanish, there isn't just one unique birthday song; there are different variations depending on the country. Let's explore some of the most common ones.
Just like the English version, we also have the same melody in Spanish. Let's start with the version that is used in Spain:
Cumpleaños feliz
Cumpleaños feliz
Te deseamos todos
Cumpleaños feliz
¡Ojo! In the third line, we can replace todos with the person’s name. Both versions are used and common in parties and events:
Cumpleaños feliz
Cumpleaños feliz
Te deseamos, Isa
Cumpleaños feliz
This version is widely recognized and used across Spain and in many other Spanish-speaking countries. It’s also common to add this next part to the song; however, it has a different melody that you can check out in this video:
Feliz, feliz en tu día
Amiguito que Dios te bendiga
Que reine la paz en tu vida
Y que cumplas muchos más
Let’s take a look at another version (same Happy Birthday melody):
Que los cumplas feliz,
que los cumplas feliz,
que los cumplas [name of the person],
que los cumplas feliz.
This last version is sung in Argentina, and as you have noticed the lyrics are a bit different than the previous version.
In Colombia, the following lyrics are common:
Cumpleaños feliz
te deseamos a ti,
cumpleaños [name],
cumpleaños feliz.
Que los cumpla feliz,
que los vuelva a cumplir,
que los siga cumpliendo
hasta el año 3000.
The following version is another common version in Latin America:
Feliz cumpleaños a ti
Feliz cumpleaños a ti
Feliz cumpleaños [name]
Feliz cumpleaños a ti
Finally, in Mexico they have a popular birthday song called Las Mañanitas. It’s a traditional Mexican birthday song and it is distinct from the standard birthday song, featuring different lyrics and a unique melody.
Here are the lyrics for the first verse, the most commonly sung one:
Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David,
hoy por ser día de tu santo te las cantamos a ti.
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
ya los pajaritos cantan, la luna ya se metió.
¡Ojo! In the third line, Mi bien can also be replaced with the name of the person who is being celebrated.
Here are the rest of the lyrics and also a YouTube video if you are interested in hearing the melody. Give it a try and sing along!
Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte,
venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte.
El día en que tu naciste nacieron todas las flores,
en la fila del bautismo cantaron los ruiseñores.
Ya viene amaneciendo ya la luz del día nos dio,
levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.
Volaron cuatro palomas por toditas las ciudades,
hoy por ser día de tu santo te deseamos felicidades.
De las estrellas del cielo tengo que bajarte dos,
una es para saludarte, la otra es para decirte adiós.
Con jazmines y flores hoy te vengo a saludar,
hoy por ser día de tu santo te venimos a cantar.
There is a wide range of vocabulary associated with birthdays and birthday parties beyond just the simple birthday greeting. Let’s see some common terms and expressions:
¡Ojo! The word for cake varies across Spanish-speaking countries. In addition to pastel, which is widely understood, people in certain countries may use torta or tarta, the latter is more common in Spain.
Now, let’s see some examples:
¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?
When is your birthday?
¡Es mi cumpleaños! / ¡Es mi cumple!
It's my birthday!
¡Sopla las velas y pide un deseo!
Blow out the candles and make a wish!
¿Cuántos años cumples?
How old are you now?
¿Cuántos invitados van a tu fiesta de cumpleaños?
How many guests are coming to your birthday party?
Vamos a decorar la casa con globos.
Let's decorate the house with balloons.
¿Tienes planes para tu cumpleaños?
Do you have plans for your birthday?
Ella planeó una fiesta sorpresa para su hermano.
She planned a surprise birthday party for her brother.
Solange recibió muchos regalos por su cumpleaños.
Solange received many gifts for her birthday.
¡Felicidades! We've reached the end! That was fun! You should now know not only how to say happy birthday in Spanish but also be able to sing Happy Birthday and talk about anything birthday-related. Knowing these terms, expressions, and vocabulary in Spanish not only enhances your language skills but also enriches your cultural understanding. You are now well-equipped to celebrate birthdays in Spanish with friends, family, or anyone in the Spanish-speaking world. And if you have a birthday coming up… ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
Let’s see what you’ve learned! Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Spanish word from the article.
pastel - serpentina - fiesta - pancarta - velas - globos - invitación - invitados - juegos - deseo
Answer Key
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Alicia Fernández is a content writer at Berges Institute.
