馃嚨馃嚟 Tagalog phrases

How to Say "Happy birthday" in Tagalog

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Maligayang kaarawan
"Happy birthday" in Tagalog 路 say it like mah-lee-gah-yang kah-rah-wan

The most natural way to say "Happy birthday" in Tagalog is Maligayang kaarawan. 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

Maligayang bati sa iyong kaarawan
A more formal way to say it, often used in speeches.
Kaarawan mo na!
A casual way to greet someone on their birthday.

When to use it

You can use this phrase to greet someone on their birthday. It is appropriate for friends, family, and colleagues. You can say it in person, on a card, or in a message.

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 Tagalog

TagalogEnglish
Maligayang kaarawan sa iyo, kaibigan!Happy birthday to you, friend!
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse 'kaarawan' with 'araw' which means 'day'. Remember, 'kaibigan' means 'friend'.

The fastest way to remember it

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I say this to someone I don't know well?

Yes, it's a friendly and neutral greeting suitable for anyone.

Learn Tagalog by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.