Have you ever had a surprise birthday party?
Being surprised or surprising someone else on their birthday can have a great impact on us all.
Regardless of your age, it will always feel great to be celebrated and given gifts, especially if it was done unexpectedly.
In this blog, we will learn some of the most commonly used Arabic birthday wishes and their pronunciation. These phrases have been carefully chosen to help you strengthen relationships and make this occasion even more meaningful.
8 Most Common Vocabulary for Birthday Wishes in Arabic
It is a good idea to start with commonly used words that you may hear in birthday greetings in Arabic.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
holiday/feast
ʿīd
عِيد
birth
mīlād
مِيلاد
happy
saʿīd
سَعِيد
year
ʿām
عَام
well / in good health
bikhayr
بِخَيْر
year
sanah
سَنَة
sweet/lovely
ḥulwah
حُلْوَة
beautiful/lovely
jamīl
جَمِيل
How to Say Happy Birthday in Arabic
Let’s see these Arabic words in their context in birthday wishes and phrases. These Arabic birthday wishes are commonly said to anyone in a friendly, celebratory way.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Happy birthday
ʿīdu mīlādin saʿīdin
عِيدُ مِيلادٍ سَعِيدٍ
Wishing you well every year / May you be well every year (M)
kullu ʿāmin wa anta bikhayrin
كُلُّ عَامٍ وَأَنْتَ بِخَيْرٍ
Wishing you well every year / May you be well every year (F)
kullu ʿāmin wa anti bikhayrin
كُلُّ عَامٍ وَأَنْتِ بِخَيْرٍ
A sweet year to you, beautiful
sanatun ḥulwatun yā jamīl
سَنَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ يَا جَمِيل
Formal Expressions to Wish Someone a Happy Birthday
Let’s move to Arabic expressions that are more formal and are used in Modern Standard Arabic on birthday cards.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
I wish you happiness and success.
atamannā laka as-saʿādata wa-n-najāḥ
أَتَمَنّى لَكَ السَّعادَةَ وَالنَّجَاح
On your birthday, I wish you … (you can continue this wish with words like happiness, success, etc.)
fī ʿīdi mīlādika atamannā laka ...
فِي عِيدِ مِيلادِكَ أَتَمَنّى لَكَ...
Happy Birthday Song in Arabic
Most Arabic countries sing the following lyrics to the birthday person.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
A sweet year, beautiful.
sanah ḥilwah yā jamīl sanah ḥilwah yā jamīl sanah ḥilwah, sanah ḥilwah sanah ḥilwah yā jamīl
سَنَة حِلْوَة يَا جَمِيل سَنَة حِلْوَة يَا جَمِيل سَنَة حِلْوَة، سَنَة حِلْوَة سَنَة حِلْوَة يَا جَمِيل
Birthday Greetings in Arabic Dialects
Happy Birthday in Egyptian Arabic
In Arabic, we sometimes have the same warm wishes, but they may differ slightly from one Arabic-speaking country to another. Check the following phrases that are mostly used in Egypt.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Wishing you well every year(M)
koll sana w-enta ṭayyib
كُلّ سَنَة وَإِنْتَ طَيِّب
Wishing you well every year(F)
koll sana w-enti ṭayyib
كُلّ سَنَة وَإِنْتِ طَيِّبَة
Wish you a sweet year, beautiful.
sana ḥilwa yā jamīl
سَنَة حِلْوَة يَا جَمِيل
Happy Birthday in Levantine Arabic
These two phrases are mostly used in Syrian and Lebanese dialects.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Wishing you well every year.(M)
kil sane w-inte sālem
كِلْ سَنَة وَإِنْتَ سالِم
Wishing you well every year.(F)
kil sane w-inti sāleme
كِلْ سَنَة إِنْتِ سالْمِه
May you live to be a hundred years old.
ʻAqbāl almyyh sana
عَقْبال الميّة سَنة
7 Arabic Birthday Vocabulary
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
cake
kaʿkah
كَعْكَة
gifts
hadāyā
هَدَايَا
celebration
iḥtifāl
اِحْتِفال
decorations
zīnah
زِينَة
birthday party
ḥaflat ʿīdi mīlād
حَفْلَةُ عِيدِ مِيلاد
sweets/desserts
ḥalawiyaiyaāt
حَلَوِيَّات
wish
umniyah
أُمْنِيَة
Birthday Celebrations in Arabic-speaking countries
Birthday celebrations can vary from one country to another mainly because they are influenced by local culture, social norms, and religious views.
However, they are mostly warm and family-centered. One of the most common traditions is cake and candles with nice gifts.
The birthday person blows out the candles while friends and family cheer, clap, and say loving wishes such as كِلْ سَنَة وإنتَ سَالِم or عَقْبَال المِية سَنَة.
Decorations like colorful balloons, banners, and lights, as well as birthday songs like the Arabic version of “Happy Birthday,” have big roles in making the day feel special.
Giving gifts is very common in Arabic-speaking countries. Gifts can be small, meaningful items, personalized gifts, or even more, depending on the family tradition. In the end, what really matters is the gesture, not the gift’s size or value.
Review Birthday Vocabulary in Arabic
Final Word
Remembering a special day like this means a lot to the birthday person, even if they don’t show it. These gatherings are such great opportunities to reconnect with family and loved ones. Practice using these Arabic birthday expressions with your family, friends, and even your colleagues, as we have mentioned phrases that can fit in every situation.
Start practicing today with the AlifBee App and take your Arabic to the next level!
