If you’ve ever wanted to write Happy Birthday in Spanish but weren’t quite sure how to spell it correctly, you’re not alone. Spanish birthday greetings are beautifully simple — but easy to mix up if you’re new to the language.
Whether you’re making a card, sending a text, or posting on social media, this guide will help you spell and use “Happy Birthday in Spanish” the right way. You’ll also find practical birthday wishes, examples, and cultural tips that make your message sound warm, natural, and authentic.
How to Spell “Happy Birthday” in Spanish
The correct spelling is:
✅ Feliz cumpleaños
Here’s how it breaks down:
Feliz = Happy
Cumpleaños = Birthday
It’s pronounced roughly like: feh-lees koom-play-ahn-yos
So, when you want to say or write Happy Birthday to someone in Spanish, you simply say:
¡Feliz cumpleaños!
Example:
¡Feliz cumpleaños, María! — Happy birthday, Maria!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you’ve seen versions like “feliz cumpleanos” without the ñ, that’s technically incorrect in Spanish. The ñ (pronounced like “ny”) is a distinct letter in the Spanish alphabet. It changes the meaning — “cumpleanos” without the tilde doesn’t exist as a word.
Also, avoid writing “cumple año” (singular), because cumpleaños is a compound noun meaning both “birthday” and “birthdays” depending on context.
So remember:
❌ Feliz cumple ano → Incorrect (and actually means something very different!)
✅ Feliz cumpleaños → Correct and natural
Variations of “Happy Birthday” in Spanish
Depending on how close you are to the person, or how formal or playful you want to be, you can change your tone slightly.
Formal / Polite:
Le deseo un feliz cumpleaños. — I wish you a happy birthday.
Que tenga un hermoso día de cumpleaños. — May you have a wonderful birthday.
Casual / Friendly:
¡Feliz cumple! — A short, fun version like “Happy B-day!”
¡Pásalo genial en tu día! — Have an amazing time on your day!
¡Disfruta tu cumpleaños al máximo! — Enjoy your birthday to the fullest!
Affectionate / Personal:
¡Feliz cumpleaños, mi amor! — Happy birthday, my love.
¡Feliz cumpleaños, amiga querida! — Happy birthday, my dear friend.
¡Te deseo todo lo mejor hoy y siempre! — Wishing you all the best today and always.
How to Say “Happy Birthday to…” in Spanish
If you want to make your wish more personal, here’s how you can say it depending on who it’s for:
Happy birthday to my friend: Feliz cumpleaños a mi amigo / amiga.
Happy birthday to my mom: Feliz cumpleaños a mi mamá.
Happy birthday to my dad: Feliz cumpleaños a mi papá.
Happy birthday to my son: Feliz cumpleaños a mi hijo.
Happy birthday to my daughter: Feliz cumpleaños a mi hija.
Happy birthday to my teacher: Feliz cumpleaños a mi profesor / profesora.
Happy birthday to my boss: Feliz cumpleaños a mi jefe / jefa.
Each phrase is simple to use — just replace the relationship or name to fit your greeting.
Examples of Birthday Wishes in Spanish
Here are a few examples you can copy for your birthday messages, cards, or social posts:
¡Feliz cumpleaños! Que este nuevo año de vida te traiga mucha felicidad.
Happy birthday! May this new year of life bring you much happiness.¡Te deseo un cumpleaños lleno de amor, risas y buenos momentos!
Wishing you a birthday full of love, laughter, and good memories!¡Espero que tu día esté tan lleno de alegría como tu sonrisa!
I hope your day is as full of joy as your smile!¡Feliz cumpleaños! Gracias por ser una persona tan especial en mi vida.
Happy birthday! Thank you for being such a special person in my life.¡Celebra con alegría y nunca dejes de soñar!
Celebrate with joy and never stop dreaming!
Cultural Tip: How Birthdays Are Celebrated in Spanish-Speaking Countries
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, birthdays are as much about gratitude as they are about celebration. It’s common to start the day with hugs and felicitaciones (congratulations) from family and friends.
A few fun traditions include:
Singing “Las Mañanitas,” a traditional birthday song in Mexico and other Latin countries.
Breaking a piñata at children’s parties.
Sharing cake with everyone present — no one leaves without a slice!
So, when you send your Spanish birthday wish, you’re also joining a tradition full of joy, family, and togetherness.
Short Birthday Greetings in Spanish
If you want something quick and catchy for social media or text:
¡Feliz cumple! – Short and friendly, like “Happy B-day!”
¡Muchas felicidades! – Literally “Many congratulations,” a common and natural phrase.
¡Que tengas un día increíble! – Hope you have an amazing day!
¡Un brindis por ti y por otro año maravilloso! – Cheers to you and another wonderful year!
Conclusion
Spelling and saying Happy Birthday in Spanish is easy once you remember two words — Feliz cumpleaños. But beyond spelling, it’s about sharing the warmth, gratitude, and celebration that the Spanish language carries so beautifully.
Whether you’re writing a message for a friend, coworker, or loved one, even a simple “¡Feliz cumpleaños!” shows thoughtfulness and connection. Because birthdays — in any language — are about one thing: making someone feel loved.
