50 + Saying Happy Birthday in German
You’re right, finding the perfect Happy Birthday in German wish can be tricky! It’s more than just the words, it’s about getting the tone right too. Whether it’s for a close friend, a family member, or someone you work with, you want your message to be special and meaningful.
This guide is here to help you. We’ve put together a bunch of German birthday wishes for all sorts of situations. You’ll find warm and loving messages for your parents, funny and lighthearted ones for your friends, and even formal greetings for your colleagues. So, no matter who you’re celebrating, you can find the perfect words to show you care and make their birthday extra special. No more worrying about awkward or boring phrases – we’ll help you make your message stand out!
Basic & Common Happy Birthday in German
(AH-les GOO-teh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk)
“All the best for your birthday!”
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk)
“Heartfelt congratulations on your birthday!”
*Happy Birthday!
(HEH-pee BIRTH-day)
“Happy Birthday,”
* **Ich wünsche dir einen tollen Geburtstag!
(Ikh VUHN-sheh deer EYE-nen TOH-len geh-BOOR-tsahk)
This means “I wish you an awesome birthday!”
Feiere schön!
(FYE-rah shern)
This translates to “Have a great celebration!”
Happy Birthday in German For Mom
• Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Mama! Du bist die Beste!
(AH-les GOO-teh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk, MAH-mah! Doo bist dee BESS-teh) –
“Happy Birthday, Mom! You’re the best!”
• Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Mama! Ich liebe dich sehr. (HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk, MAH-mah! Ikh LEE-beh dikh sehr)
– This translates to “Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you very much.”
• Alles Liebe und Gute zu deinem besonderen Tag, Mama!
(AH-les LEE-beh oond GOO-teh tsoo DYE-nem be-ZON-deren tahk, MAH-mah!) – This means “All the love and best wishes on your special day, Mom!”
• Genieße deinen Tag, Mama! Wir lieben dich.
(Geh-NEE-seh DYE-nen tahk, MAH-mah! Veer LEE-ben dikh) –
This translates to “Enjoy your day, Mom! We love you.”
Happy Birthday in German For Dad
• Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Papa! Danke für alles, was du für mich tust.
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh, PAH-pah! DAN-keh fuhr AH-les, vahs doo fuhr mikh toost) –
This is a heartfelt way to say “Happy Birthday, Dad! Thanks for everything you do for me.”
• Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Papa! Du bist mein Held.
(AH-les GOO-teh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk, PAH-pah! Doo bist mine HELT) –
This translates to “Happy Birthday, Dad! You’re my hero.”
• Ich wünsche dir einen wunderschönen Geburtstag, Papa!
(Ikh VUHN-sheh deer EYE-nen VON-der-sheh-nen geh-BOOR-tsahk, PAH-pah!)
– This means “I wish you a wonderful birthday, Dad!”
Classic & Cheeky Happy Birthday in German
• Du wirst älter, aber nicht klüger! Alles Gute!
(Doo veerst EL-ter, AH-ber nikht KLUE-ger! AH-les GOO-teh!) –
This translates to “You’re getting older, but not smarter! All the best!”
• Endlich ein Jahr näher an der Rente! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
(END-likh ine YAHR NAY-her AHN dare REN-teh! AH-les GOO-teh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk!)
– This means “Finally, one year closer to retirement! Happy Birthday!”
• Du wirst nicht älter, nur erfahrener… vielleicht. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
(Doo veerst nikht EL-ter, noor er-FAH-reh-ner… fee-LAYKH. HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh!) –
This translates to “You’re not getting older, just more experienced… maybe. Congrats!”
• Vergiss das Alter – heute bist du nur Party-Material! Alles Gute!
(Fer-GISS dahs AL-ter – HOY-teh bist doo noor PAR-tee MAH-teh-ree-AHL! AH-les GOO-teh!) –
This means “Forget your age – today you’re just party material! All the best!”
• Alles Gute! Mach dir keine Sorgen – du siehst nur ein bisschen älter aus.
(AH-les GOO-teh! Mahkh deer KYE-ne ZOR-gen – doo zeest noor ine BISS-khen EL-ter ows.) –
This translates to “All the best! Don’t worry – you just look a little older.” .
Standard Formal Greetings Happy Birthday in German
* **Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute zum Geburtstag.
(Ikh VUHN-sheh EE-nen AH-les GOO-teh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk)
* Translation: I wish you all the best for your birthday.
* **Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk)
Translation: Heartfelt congratulations on your birthday!
Adding a Touch of Warmth Happy Birthday in German
* **Ich gratuliere Ihnen herzlich zu Ihrem Geburtstag und wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag.
** (Ikh GRAH-too-lee-reh EE-nen HERTS-leekh tsoo EE-rem geh-BOOR-tsahk oond VUHN-sheh EE-nen EYE-nen SHERN-en tahk)
- Translation: I warmly congratulate you on your birthday and wish you a lovely day.
**Expressing Good Wishes for the Future**
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag. Möge Ihr neues Lebensjahr erfolgreich und glücklich sein.
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk. MEH-guh eer NOY-es LAY-bens-yahr er-FOLG-reekh oond GLUEK-likh zine.)
* Translation: Congratulations on your birthday. May your new year of life be successful and happy.
Alles Gute und viel Gesundheit im neuen Lebensjahr.
(AH-les GOO-teh oond feel geh-ZOOND-hite im NOY-en LAY-bens-yahr)
* Translation: All the best and good health in the new year of your life.
* **Alles Gute zum Geburtstag und weiterhin viel Erfolg.
** (AH-les GOO-teh tsum geh-BOOR-tsahk oond VIGH-ter-hin feel er-FOHLG)
* Translation: Best wishes on your birthday and continued success.
Teen Milestones Happy Birthday in German
* **Alles Gute zu deinem 16. Geburtstag! Willkommen im Erwachsenenleben!**
(AH-les GOO-teh tsoo DYE-nem zehk-tsen-ten geh-BOOR-tsahk! VIL-kom-men im er-VAHKS-enen-leh-ben!) –
“Happy 16th birthday! Welcome to adult life!”
* **Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum 18. Geburtstag! Endlich volljährig!**
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum akh-tsen-ten geh-BOOR-tsahk! END-likh foll-yay-rikh!)
– This translates to “Happy 18th birthday! Finally an adult!”
Young Adult & Beyond Happy Birthday in German
* **Alles Gute zum 21. Geburtstag! Prost auf die Freiheit!**
(AH-les GOO-teh tsum ein-ooon-tsvahn-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! PROHST owf dee FRY-hite!) –
This means “Happy 21st birthday! Cheers to freedom!”
* **Happy 30.! Das Beste kommt noch!**
(HEP-pee DREY-sig-stuh! Dahs BES-teh komt nokh!)
– This is a short and sweet way to say “Happy 30th! The best is yet to come!”
* **Alles Liebe zum 35. Geburtstag! Du wirst nur besser mit dem Alter!**
(AH-les LEE-beh tsoom FUNF-oont-drey-sikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! Doo veerst noor BES-ser mit dem AL-ter!) –
This translates to “Happy 35th birthday! You only get better with age!”
* **Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum 40. Geburtstag! Das Leben fängt erst an!**
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum FEAR-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! Dahs LEH-ben fenkt erst AHN!)
– This means “Happy 40th birthday! Life is just beginning!”
Older Adults Happy Birthday in German
*Alles Gute zum 50. Geburtstag! Auf viele weitere glückliche Jahre!**
(AH-les GOO-teh tsum FUF-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! Owf FEE-leh VIGH-teh-reh GLUEK-likh-eh YAH-reh!) –
This translates to “Happy 50th birthday! To many more happy years!”
* **Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum 60. Geburtstag! Möge die nächsten Jahre voller Freude sein!**
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsoom ZEHKS-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! MEH-guh dee NEX-ten YAH-reh fol-er FROY-deh zine!) –
This means “Happy 60th birthday! May the next years be full of joy!”
* **Alles Gute zu deinem 70. Geburtstag! Auf viele Erinnerungen und schöne Momente!**
(AH-les GOO-teh tsoo DYE-nem ZIB-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! Owf FEE-leh eh-REEN-er-ungen oond SHURN-eh moh-MEN-teh!)
– This translates to “Happy 70th birthday! To many memories and beautiful moments!”
* **Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum 80. Geburtstag! Du bist eine Inspiration!**
(HERTS-lee-khen GLUEK-voonsh tsum AKH-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! Doo bist EYE-neh in-spee-rah-TSYON!) –
This means “Happy 80th birthday! You are an inspiration!”
* **Alles Liebe und Gute zum 90. Geburtstag! Wir feiern dein großartiges Leben!**
(AH-les LEE-beh oond GOO-teh tsoom NOYN-tsikh-sten geh-BOOR-tsahk! Veer FYE-ern dine GROHS-ar-tih-ges LEH-ben!)
– This translates to “Happy 90th birthday! We celebrate your amazing life!”
. The German “Happy Birthday” Song
* **Lyrics:** As you mentioned, the most common German version is:
* *Zum Geburtstag viel Glück,*
* *Zum Geburtstag viel Glück,*
* *Zum Geburtstag alles Gute,*
* *Zum Geburtstag viel Glück!*
* **Melody:** The melody is exactly the same as the English “Happy Birthday to You” song. This makes it easy for people from different backgrounds to sing along.
* **Usage:** This German version is typically sung in more formal settings, among family, or when the focus is specifically on German traditions.
**2. The English “Happy Birthday” Song:**
* **Lyrics:** The English lyrics are sung just as they are in English:
* *Happy birthday to you,*
* *Happy birthday to you,*
* *Happy birthday, dear [Name],*
* *Happy birthday to you!*
* **Melody:** Again, the same familiar English melody is used.
* **Usage:** Singing the English version is very common in Germany, particularly in more casual settings, at parties with mixed nationalities, or when people are more familiar with the English version. It’s widely understood and accepted.
Traditions While Singing
* **Clapping:** Clapping along to the rhythm is definitely a common way to join in the fun and make the singing more energetic. It gets everyone involved and creates a lively atmosphere.
* **Toasts:** Raising glasses and saying “Zum Wohl!” or “Prost!” is a very important part of the birthday tradition in Germany. It’s a way to offer a toast to the birthday person’s health and happiness. “Zum Wohl!” is a bit more formal, while “Prost!” is more common in casual settings.
* **Personalized Verses:** This is a wonderful tradition! Adding personalized verses after the main “Happy Birthday” song makes the celebration unique and special. These verses can be funny, sentimental, or a mix of both. They often refer to inside jokes, shared experiences, or special qualities of the birthday person. It’s a way to show how much you care and to make the birthday person feel truly celebrated.
So, when you’re at a German birthday party, be prepared to clap, raise your glass, and maybe even contribute a personalized verse or two! It’s all part of the joyous celebration.