¡Feliz cumpleaños!
feh-LEEZ koom-play-AH-nyohs
"Happy birthday!" — the essential phrase, understood everywhere Spanish is spoken.
Feliz means "happy," and cumpleaños is a compound word — cumple (to complete/fulfill) + años (years). Literally, "fulfillment of years." You'll also see it written cumple años — both are correct.
More Ways to Say It
Spanish shifts registers more than English does — here's what fits a close friend versus what fits an elder or someone you don't know well.
Regional Variations Worth Knowing
Spanish varies by country, and birthday phrases are no exception.
Mexico
It's common to sing "Las Mañanitas" instead of — or alongside — the English "Happy Birthday to You" song.
Latin America
"¡Que cumplas más!" ("May you have more!") is a common closing wish, said right after singing.
Spain
"¡Muchas felicidades!" ("Many congratulations!") is used interchangeably with feliz cumpleaños.
A Complete Birthday Message in Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say happy birthday in Spanish informally?
"¡Feliz cumple!" is the most common informal version — shortened and casual, used between friends and family.
Is "cumpleaños" masculine or feminine?
Cumpleaños is masculine and doesn't change form for gender — you'd say "mi cumpleaños" (my birthday) regardless of who's celebrating.
Do you say "happy birthday" the same way in every Spanish-speaking country?
The core phrase feliz cumpleaños is universal, but songs, traditions, and closing phrases vary by country (see Regional Variations above).