Say it in Spanish

How to say happy birthday in Spanish to your mum.

Not a dictionary line: the phrases Spanish speakers use for your mum, 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 mum “¡Felicidades!” (“Congratulations!”) adds warmth. Below: 6 full birthday messages for your mum, written by a Spanish speaker.

Feliz cumpleaños, mamá. Gracias por todo y por tanto. Hoy el día es solo para ti.

Birthday messages in Spanish for your mum

Si buscas frases de cumpleaños para mamá o qué escribir en una tarjeta para tu madre, ve directo al corazón: una madre guarda esa tarjeta para siempre, así que dile con palabras sencillas lo que significa para ti.

Feliz cumpleaños, mamá. Gracias por todo y por tanto. Hoy el día es solo para ti.
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Para el mundo eres una madre, pero para mí eres el mundo entero. Muchas felicidades, mami.
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Feliz cumpleaños a la persona que me lo ha dado todo sin pedir nada a cambio. Te quiero más de lo que cabe en esta tarjeta.
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Si soy quien soy, es gracias a ti. Feliz cumpleaños, mamá. Eres mi mayor regalo.
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Hoy te toca a ti que te cuiden. Disfruta tu día, mami, te lo mereces todo. Te quiero muchísimo.
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Muchas felicidades, mamá. Gracias por tu paciencia infinita, tus abrazos y por estar siempre. No sé qué haría sin ti.
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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 mum 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 mum the effort lands harder than the grammar.

Formal or informal for your mum?

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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