Say it in Spanish

How to say happy birthday in Spanish to your best friend.

Not a dictionary line: the phrases Spanish speakers use for your best friend, what each means, and 6 complete messages by a native speaker — each one a tap away from a card in Spanish.

Quick answer

“¡Feliz cumpleaños!” (“Happy birthday!”) is the line, and for your best friend “¡Felicidades!” (“Congratulations!”) adds warmth. Below: 6 full birthday messages for your best friend, written by a Spanish speaker.

Feliz cumpleaños a la hermana que elegí. No sé qué haría sin ti, amiga. Te quiero muchísimo.

Birthday messages in Spanish for your best friend

Si buscas frases de cumpleaños para una amiga o para tu mejor amiga, no te quedes en una firma. Dile lo que de verdad significa para ti: lo concreto y sincero siempre gana.

Feliz cumpleaños a la hermana que elegí. No sé qué haría sin ti, amiga. Te quiero muchísimo.
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Eres mi mejor amiga, mi paño de lágrimas y mi compañera de risas. Muchas felicidades, te quiero.
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Hay amigas para una temporada y amigas para toda la vida. Tú eres de las de siempre. Feliz cumpleaños, crack.
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La hermana sin papeles que la vida me regaló. Que tengas un cumpleaños tan increíble como tú. Te quiero.
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Hoy lo celebramos como se merece, que invito yo. Feliz cumpleaños a la mejor amiga del mundo.
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Cada año me alegro más de tenerte. Gracias por estar siempre, amiga. Muchas felicidades, te quiero un montón.
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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.

Questions people ask

Can I write to your best friend in English with a Spanish opening?

Yes — open with “¡Feliz cumpleaños!”, write what you want to say in English, and sign off in Spanish: Un abrazo, or Un abrazo fuerte,. For your best friend the effort lands harder than the grammar.

Formal or informal for your best friend?

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.

How do I sign off?

Un abrazo, · Un abrazo fuerte, · Con cariño, · Besos, · Un saludo, — warmest first.

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