How to say happy birthday in Spanish.
The phrases Spanish 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 Spanish in a minute.
“¡Feliz cumpleaños!” means “Happy birthday!” and is what Spanish speakers say. “¡Felicidades!” (“Congratulations!”) is the warmer version. The standard wish, everywhere Spanish is spoken.
The Spanish phrases, and when each one fits
Spanish is informal ('tú') almost everywhere a card is involved — family, friends, colleagues. 'Usted' is for a client or an elder you address formally; in Latin America it is more common than in Spain.
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños! — “Happy birthday!”. The standard wish, everywhere Spanish is spoken.
- ¡Felicidades! — “Congratulations!”. Said on birthdays too — very common on its own.
- ¡Que cumplas muchos más! — “May you have many more!”. The classic follow-up line.
- Que tengas un día maravilloso. — “Have a wonderful day.”. When the day itself is the point.
- Un abrazo enorme en tu día. — “A huge hug on your day.”. Warm — friends and family.
- ¡A brindar por ti! — “Let's toast to you!”. Playful, for a group card.
Birthday messages in Spanish, written for the person
Full messages by a native speaker — pick the person and send one as a card, in their language.
Three Spanish messages to start from
¡Feliz cumpleaños, tía! Siempre fuiste la que se ponía de mi lado, y eso no se olvida. Te deseo un año tan generoso contigo como tú lo has sido conmigo.
Feliz cumpleaños a la hermana que elegí. No sé qué haría sin ti, amiga. Te quiero muchísimo.
¡Feliz cumpleaños! Le deseamos salud, éxitos y un día en el que, por una vez, no tenga que aprobar nada.
Questions people ask
Can I mix English and Spanish in one card?
Yes — and natives find it charming. Open with the Spanish phrase, write your real message in English, and sign off in Spanish (Un abrazo, or Un abrazo fuerte,). The effort is the point.
How do I sign off a Spanish card?
Un abrazo, · Un abrazo fuerte, · Con cariño, · Besos, · Un saludo, — from warmest to most neutral. Family and close friends get the first two; colleagues the last.
Will the card itself be in Spanish?
Yes. Our Español builder is a full translation, with example messages written by native speakers, and your recipient opens the card in Spanish.
Birthday wishes in other languages
Send it in Spanish — free.
A real card, in their language, in about a minute. No account, no watermark.