馃嚛馃嚜 German phrases

How to Say "Happy birthday" in German

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag
"Happy birthday" in German 路 say it like ahl-es goo-teh tsoom ge-burt-stahg

The most natural way to say "Happy birthday" in German is Alles Gute zum Geburtstag. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Herzlichen Gl眉ckwunsch zum Geburtstag
More formal, often used in written messages.
Geburtstagsgr眉脽e
Casual, can be used in greetings or cards.

When to use it

You can use this phrase to wish someone well on their birthday. It is appropriate for friends, family, and colleagues. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Happy birthday" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in German

GermanEnglish
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Maria!Happy birthday, Maria!
Common mistake
A common mistake is to translate it literally as 'Happy birthday' without using the correct phrase in German.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking German with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What do I say if I want to wish someone a happy birthday in a card?

You can write 'Alles Gute zum Geburtstag' or 'Herzlichen Gl眉ckwunsch zum Geburtstag' for a more formal touch.

Learn German by speaking it

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