Do you have friends, colleagues, or family members who are Chinese? Do you want to wish them a happy birthday in Chinese but don’t know how to write it? In this article, Ni Hao Ma will share the best Chinese birthday greetings to help you express your heartfelt wishes and make their special day even more meaningful.
How to say Happy Birthday in Chinese?
Wondering how to say “Happy Birthday” in Chinese? The most common and basic way to say it is 生日快乐 (Shēngrì kuàilè):
- 生日 (Shēngrì) means “birthday”
- 快乐 (Kuàilè) means “happy” or “joyful”
If you want to make it a bit more formal or complete, you can say 祝你生日快乐 (Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè), which means “Wishing you a happy birthday”.
Besides this basic greeting, there are many other ways to say happy birthday, depending on whom you’re addressing. Let’s explore different ways to make your birthday wishes even more special!
Chinese Birthday Vocabulary
A birthday is a special occasion to send warm wishes and express love to family and friends. If you’re learning Chinese or want to prepare meaningful birthday greetings, check out the important vocabulary below. These words will help you easily convey your birthday wishes in Chinese:
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 生日 | Shēngrì | Birthday |
| 祝福 | Zhùfú | Blessing/Wish |
| 蛋糕 | Dàngāo | Birthday cake |
| 蜡烛 | Làzhú | Candle |
| 礼物 | Lǐwù | Gift |
| 派对 | Pàiduì | Party |
| 生日卡片 | Shēngrì kǎpiàn | Birthday card |
| 美好 | Měihǎo | Wonderful |
| 幸福 | Xìngfú | Happiness |
| 快乐 | Kuàilè | Joyful |
| 美满 | Měimǎn | Perfect & fulfilling |
| 许愿 | Xǔyuàn | Make a wish |
| 吹蜡烛 | Chuī làzhú | Blow out candles |
| 长寿 | Chángshòu | Longevity |
| 心想事成 | Xīnxiǎng shì chéng | May all your wishes come true |
| 好运 | Hǎoyùn | Good luck |
| 平安 | Píng’ān | Peace and safety |
| 成功 | Chénggōng | Success |
| 顺利 | Shùnlì | Smooth sailing |
| 无忧无虑 | Wú yōu wú lǜ | Worry-free |
| 明亮 | Míngliàng | Bright |
| 希望 | Xīwàng | Hope |
| 梦想 | Mèngxiǎng | Dream |
| 事业 | Shìyè | Career |
| 财富 | Cáifù | Wealth |
| 未来 | Wèilái | Future |
| 青春 | Qīngchūn | Youth |
| 爱情 | Àiqíng | Love |
| 家庭 | Jiātíng | Family |
The Most Meaningful Birthday Wishes in Chinese
Everyone has their own way of wishing someone a happy birthday, depending on their relationship and personality. If you want to send birthday wishes in Chinese, choosing the right words for each person is essential to convey sincerity.
Below, let’s explore some meaningful Chinese birthday wishes suited for different people, from friends and loved ones to colleagues and elders.
Happy Birthday in Chinese for Grandparents and Parents
When wishing grandparents or parents a happy birthday, your message should express respect, love, and gratitude for their care and sacrifices. Here are some thoughtful birthday wishes in Chinese:
祝您生日快乐，身体健康，长命百岁！
(Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng, chángmìng bǎisuì!)
Wishing you a happy birthday, great health, and a long life!
祝爷爷/奶奶生日快乐，福如东海，寿比南山！
(Zhù yéyé/nǎinai shēngrì kuàilè, fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān!)
Happy birthday, Grandpa/Grandma! May your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as steadfast as the Southern Mountain!
祝您生日快乐，幸福安康！
(Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, xìngfú ānkāng!)
Wishing you a happy birthday filled with happiness and good health!
祝爸爸/妈妈生日快乐，身体健康，永远幸福！
(Zhù bàba/māmā shēngrì kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng, yǒngyuǎn xìngfú!)
Happy birthday, Dad/Mom! Wishing you good health and everlasting happiness!
祝爸爸/妈妈生日快乐，永远年轻，万事如意！
(Zhù bàba/māmā shēngrì kuàilè, yǒngyuǎn niánqīng, wàn shì rú yì!)
Happy birthday, Dad/Mom! May you always stay young and may everything go your way!
爸爸/妈妈，生日快乐！感谢您们的辛勤和爱，我永远爱您们！
(Bàba/māmā, shēngrì kuàilè! Gǎnxiè nín men de xīnqín hé ài, wǒ yǒngyuǎn ài nín men!)
Happy birthday Dad/Mom! Thank you for your hard work and love—I will always love you!
感谢爸爸/妈妈对我的照顾和支持，祝您们生日快乐，永远健康！
(Gǎnxiè bàba/māmā duì wǒ de zhàogù hé zhīchí, zhù nín men shēngrì kuàilè, yǒngyuǎn jiànkāng!)
Thank you Dad/Mom, for your care and support. Wishing you a happy birthday and everlasting health!
祝爸爸/妈妈生日快乐，事业有成，生活美满！
(Zhù bàba/māmā shēngrì kuàilè, shìyè yǒu chéng, shēnghuó měimǎn!)
Happy birthday, Dad/Mom! May you have a successful career and a fulfilling life!
Happy Birthday in Chinese for Friends
If you have a close friend and want to send them a heartfelt birthday message in Chinese, you’ll need warm, cheerful, and meaningful wishes. Here are some birthday greetings in Chinese that you can use:
生日快乐，愿你每天都开心！
(Shēngrì kuàilè, yuàn nǐ měitiān dōu kāixīn!)
Happy birthday! Wishing you happiness every single day!
祝你生日快乐，青春永驻，永远快乐！
(Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, qīngchūn yǒng zhù, yǒngyuǎn kuàilè!)
Happy birthday! May you stay youthful and happy forever
祝你生日快乐，事业蒸蒸日上，生活甜甜蜜蜜！
(Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, shìyè zhēngzhēng rì shàng, shēnghuó tiántián mìmì!)
Happy birthday! Wishing you great success in your career and a sweet, joyful life!
生日快乐，愿你的每一天都充满快乐和欢笑！
(Shēngrì kuàilè, yuàn nǐ de měi yī tiān dōu chōngmǎn kuàilè hé huānxiào!)
Happy birthday! May every day of your life be filled with joy and laughter!
祝你生日快乐，愿你一生幸福安康，心想事成！
(Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, yuàn nǐ yīshēng xìngfú ānkāng, xīnxiǎng shì chéng!)
Happy birthday! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, good health, and the fulfillment of all your dreams!
祝你生日快乐，越来越美丽，事业有成！
(Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, yuè lái yuè měilì, shìyè yǒu chéng!)
Happy birthday! May you become even more beautiful and achieve great success in your career!
生日快乐，祝你新的一岁光彩照人，爱情美满，越来越富有！
(Shēngrì kuàilè, zhù nǐ xīn de yī suì guāngcǎi zhàorén, àiqíng měimǎn, yuè lái yuè fùyǒu!)
Happy birthday! Wishing you a radiant new year, a blissful love life, and growing prosperity!
祝你生日快乐，愿你的每一个愿望都能实现，收到更多的爱与关怀！
(Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè, yuàn nǐ de měi yīgè yuànwàng dōu néng shíxiàn, shōudào gèng duō de ài yǔ guānhuái!)
Happy birthday! May all your wishes come true, and may you receive endless love and care!
Happy Birthday in Chinese for Your Boss, Colleagues, and Clients
In a professional environment, maintaining good relationships with colleagues and clients is essential. One meaningful way to show appreciation and care is by sending heartfelt birthday wishes. Here are some thoughtful birthday messages in Chinese that you can use for your colleagues, boss, or clients:
感谢你一直以来的帮助，祝你生日快乐!
(Gǎnxiè nǐ yīzhí yǐlái de bāngzhù, zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè!)
Thank you for always being so helpful. Wishing you a very happy birthday!
祝你生日快乐，家庭幸福，事业成功！
(Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, jiātíng xìngfú, shìyè chénggōng!)
Happy birthday! Wishing you happiness in your family and great success in your career!
祝您生日快乐，永远年轻，心想事成！
(Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, yǒngyuǎn niánqīng, xīnxiǎng shì chéng!)
Happy birthday! May you always stay young at heart and see all your wishes come true!
祝您生日快乐，事业辉煌，家庭美满！
(Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, shìyè huīhuáng, jiātíng měimǎn!)
Wishing you a fantastic birthday, a thriving career, and a blissful family life!
祝您生日快乐，心情愉快，工作顺利！
(Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, xīnqíng yúkuài, gōngzuò shùnlì!)
Happy birthday! May you always have a joyful heart and smooth progress at work!
生日快乐，愿你每天都充满能量和幸福！
(Shēngrì kuàilè, yuàn nǐ měitiān dōu chōngmǎn néngliàng hé xìngfú!)
Happy birthday! May your days always be filled with energy and happiness!
生日快乐，祝您事业有成，幸福满满！
(Shēngrì kuàilè, zhù nín shìyè yǒu chéng, xìngfú mǎn mǎn!)
Wishing you a wonderful birthday, great achievements in your career, and endless happiness!
感谢您一如既往的支持，祝您生日快乐，事业腾飞！
(Gǎnxiè nín yīrú jìwǎng de zhīchí, zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè, shìyè téngfēi!)
Thank you for your continuous support. Wishing you a joyful birthday and soaring success in your career!
Happy Birthday in Chinese for Your Lover, Wife/Husband
Birthday wishes in Chinese for your spouse or significant other are often filled with sweet and heartfelt words. If you want to send warm birthday greetings to your loved one, here are some beautiful Chinese birthday wishes you can use:
感谢你一直以来的陪伴，祝你生日快乐!
(Gǎnxiè nǐ yīzhí yǐlái de péibàn, zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè!)
Thank you for always being by my side. Happy birthday!
每一天与你在一起，都是我最幸福的时光，生日快乐！
(Měi yītiān yǔ nǐ zài yīqǐ, dōu shì wǒ zuì xìngfú de shíguāng, shēngrì kuàilè!)
Every day with you is the happiest time of my life. Happy birthday!
生日快乐，我的宝贝，愿你每天都开开心心！
(Shēngrì kuàilè, wǒ de bǎobèi, yuàn nǐ měitiān dōu kāi kāixīn xīn!)
Happy birthday, my darling! May you always be happy and full of joy!
我永远爱你，生日快乐!
(Wǒ yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ, shēngrì kuàilè!)
I will always love you. Happy birthday!
我的世界因你而美好，生日快乐，我的最爱！
(Wǒ de shìjiè yīn nǐ ér měihǎo, shēngrì kuàilè, wǒ de zuì ài!)
My world is a better place because of you. Happy birthday, my love!
无论未来怎样，我都会陪在你身边。生日快乐，我的爱人！
(Wúlùn wèilái zěnyàng, wǒ dōu huì péi zài nǐ shēnbiān. Shēngrì kuàilè, wǒ de àirén!)
No matter what the future holds, I will always be by your side. Happy birthday, my love!
感谢你为这个家所做的一切，生日快乐!
(Gǎnxiè nǐ wèi zhège jiā suǒ zuò de yīqiè, shēngrì kuàilè!)
Thank you for everything you’ve done for our family. Happy birthday!
Explore More
- How to Say Happy New Year in Chinese
- How to Say Thank You in Chinese and How to Respond
- Basic Chinese Phrases for Beginners
Conclusion
Above are some meaningful and well-crafted Chinese birthday wishes for different recipients. Depending on who you’re celebrating, it’s important to choose the right words to express sincerity and respect. Hopefully, Ni Hao Ma has helped you learn how to say happy birthday in Chinese and make a great impression when communicating in the language!
