How to say happy birthday in Dutch.
The phrases Dutch speakers actually use — not a dictionary line — with what each means and who it is for, plus full messages by a native speaker you can send as a card in Dutch in a minute.
“Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!” means “Congratulations on your birthday!” and is what Dutch speakers say. “Van harte gefeliciteerd!” (“Heartfelt congratulations!”) is the warmer version. The standard line. Dutch people congratulate rather than wish — this is what everyone says.
The Dutch phrases, and when each one fits
Dutch has an informal 'je/jij' and a formal 'u'. Family, friends and almost every colleague get 'je'; keep 'u' for a client you have never met or someone much older who uses it with you first.
- Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! — “Congratulations on your birthday!”. The standard line. Dutch people congratulate rather than wish — this is what everyone says.
- Van harte gefeliciteerd! — “Heartfelt congratulations!”. Warmer and shorter. Works on its own or before a personal line.
- Fijne verjaardag! — “Have a nice birthday!”. Casual, friendly; what you'd text a colleague.
- Nog vele jaren! — “Many more years!”. Older, affectionate — lovely for a parent or grandparent.
- Een hele fijne dag gewenst! — “Wishing you a really nice day!”. When the birthday itself is the point — a day off, a party.
- Proost op jou! — “Cheers to you!”. Playful, for a friend or sibling; pairs with a drink emoji in a group card.
Birthday messages in Dutch, written for the person
Full messages by a native speaker — pick the person and send one as a card, in their language.
Three Dutch messages to start from
Lieve tante, van harte gefeliciteerd! Jij koos altijd mijn kant, ook als ik ongelijk had. Daar hou ik van. Fijne verjaardag!
Lieve vriendin, gefeliciteerd! Jij bent de zus die het lot vergat me te geven. Bedankt dat je er altijd bent. Dikke kus.
Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met uw verjaardag! Ik hoop dat de dag u net zoveel goeds brengt als u ons team brengt.
Questions people ask
Can I mix English and Dutch in one card?
Yes — and natives find it charming. Open with the Dutch phrase, write your real message in English, and sign off in Dutch (Liefs, or Veel liefs,). The effort is the point.
How do I sign off a Dutch card?
Liefs, · Veel liefs, · Dikke knuffel, · Groetjes, · Hartelijke groet, — from warmest to most neutral. Family and close friends get the first two; colleagues the last.
Will the card itself be in Dutch?
Yes. Our Nederlands builder is a full translation, with example messages written by native speakers, and your recipient opens the card in Dutch.
Birthday wishes in other languages
Send it in Dutch — free.
A real card, in their language, in about a minute. No account, no watermark.