Say it in Spanish

How to say happy birthday in Spanish to your son.

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

Feliz cumpleaños, hijo. Verte crecer y convertirte en quien eres ha sido la mayor alegría de mi vida.

Birthday messages in Spanish for your son

Una tarjeta de cumpleaños para tu hijo es la ocasión de decirle lo que quizá no dices en voz alta. Empieza por el orgullo y por una cosa concreta que adoras de él; adapta el tono a su edad.

Feliz cumpleaños, hijo. Verte crecer y convertirte en quien eres ha sido la mayor alegría de mi vida.
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Eres lo mejor que me ha pasado y llenas mi vida de alegría cada día. Muchas felicidades, mi niño.
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Pase lo que pase este año, siempre me tendrás a tu lado, campeón. Te quiero, hijo. Felicidades.
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Me hiciste padre y desde entonces no has parado de hacerme sentir orgulloso. Felicidades, hijo mío.
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Hoy es tu día, mi peque, así que a disfrutarlo a tope. Eres mi mayor tesoro. Te quiero muchísimo.
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Feliz cumpleaños a mi hijo y a una de mis personas favoritas del mundo. Ve y pásalo en grande.
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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 son 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 son the effort lands harder than the grammar.

Formal or informal for your son?

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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