How to say happy birthday in German.
The phrases German 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 German in a minute.
“Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!” means “All the best for your birthday!” and is what German speakers say. “Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!” (“Heartfelt congratulations on your birthday!”) is the warmer version. The standard wish. Safe for anyone.
The German phrases, and when each one fits
German keeps a real distance between 'du' (family, friends, most colleagues you know) and 'Sie' (clients, senior people, anyone who addresses you as Sie). On a card, match whatever they use with you.
- Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! — “All the best for your birthday!”. The standard wish. Safe for anyone.
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! — “Heartfelt congratulations on your birthday!”. A notch more formal; the line on most printed cards.
- Alles Liebe zum Geburtstag! — “All my love for your birthday!”. Warm — family, partner, close friends.
- Ich wünsche dir einen wunderschönen Tag! — “I wish you a wonderful day!”. When you mean the day itself.
- Bleib so, wie du bist! — “Stay just the way you are!”. Affectionate, slightly old-school — grandparents use it, friends use it ironically.
- Auf dich! — “To you!”. A toast — playful in a group card.
Birthday messages in German, written for the person
Full messages by a native speaker — pick the person and send one as a card, in their language.
Three German messages to start from
Alles Liebe zum Geburtstag, liebe Tante! Du warst immer die, die auf meiner Seite stand — danke dafür. Ich wünsch Dir ein Jahr, das so großzügig zu Dir ist wie Du zu uns.
Alles Liebe zum Geburtstag, meine Liebste! Du hast mich auch von meiner anstrengendsten Seite erlebt und bist trotzdem geblieben — ehrlich, ich hab ein Riesenglück mit Dir.
Sehr geehrte Frau [Nachname], herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! Wir wünschen Ihnen Gesundheit, Erfolg und einen Tag, an dem Sie ausnahmsweise nichts freigeben müssen.
Questions people ask
Can I mix English and German in one card?
Yes — and natives find it charming. Open with the German phrase, write your real message in English, and sign off in German (Alles Liebe, or Liebe Grüße,). The effort is the point.
How do I sign off a German card?
Alles Liebe, · Liebe Grüße, · Herzliche Grüße, · Dein / Deine … · Mit den besten Wünschen, — from warmest to most neutral. Family and close friends get the first two; colleagues the last.
Will the card itself be in German?
Yes. Our Deutsch builder is a full translation, with example messages written by native speakers, and your recipient opens the card in German.
Birthday wishes in other languages
Send it in German — free.
A real card, in their language, in about a minute. No account, no watermark.