Saying Happy Birthday in Arabic: What You Need to Know

Created: Jun 24, 2024Last updated: Nov 4, 2024

Some people like their birthdays, others dread them. However, it’s difficult to deny that this special occasion can make us feel extraordinary. And it is especially nice to receive unique greetings from people we love. Today, we’ll provide you with some of the most amazing ways to say happy birthday in Arabic. So buckle up, and let’s make your next HBD the best yet!

Birthday Basics: Gender-Specific Wishes

One of the first things you’ll learn about Arabic is that it is a gendered language. In layman’s terms, your way of saying happy birthday in the Arabic language will change depending on whether you’re talking to a guy or a gal. Here are two ways of greeting a birthday girl:

كل سنة وانتِ سالمة (kol saneh wa inti salmeh).
كل عام وانتِ بخير (kol a’am wa inti bi kheir).

Basically, both phrases simply mean that you wish a person to be healthy every year to come. And here’s how, with subtle changes, you can say happy birthday in Arabic to a male, conveying the same meaning:

كل سنة وانت سالم (kol saneh wa inta salem).
كل عام وانت بخير (kol a’am wa inta bi kheir).

As you can see, the difference between feminine and masculine greetings is quite subtle, yet it is very significant. So, if it is still a bit overwhelming, you can simply memorize the phrase عيد ميلاد سعيد – eid milad saeed meaning. It is the most versatile greeting, as you can use it for both male and female recipients.

Beautiful Happy Birthday Greetings in Arabic

Now, you already know at least five different ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Arabic, and we’re just starting! After learning the safest and basic options, it is time to have more fun. In the list below, we’ve compiled some of the most beautiful and unique happy birthday Arabic expressions. Enjoy!

أتمنى لك الصحة والسعادة في هذا اليوم الخاص. (Atamanna lak as-sihah wal-sa'adah fee hatha al-yawm al-khaas.) – I wish you health and happiness on this special day.
نحن موجودين معك في يوم ميلادك. (Nihna mawjoudin ma’ak fi wawm meeladik.) – We are here with you on your birthday.
في عيد ميلادك، نتمنى لك النجاح والفرح. (Fi Eid Miladik, natamanna lak an-najaah wal-farah.) – On your birthday, we wish you success and joy.
عيد ميلاد سعيد! أتمنى لك أيامًا مليئة بالضحك والحب. (Eid Milad Saeed! Atamanna lak ayyaman mali’at bil-dhik wa-l-hubb.) – Happy Birthday! I wish you days full of laughter and love.
أنت شخص رائع، وأتمنى لك عيد ميلاد سعيد. (Anta shakhs ra’ian, wa-atamanna lak Eid Milad Saeed.) – You are a wonderful person, and I wish you a happy birthday.
عيد ميلاد سعيد! أنت لمعة في حياتنا. (Eid Milad Saeed! Anta lum’ah fee hayatina.) – Happy Birthday! You are a shining star in our lives.
في عيد ميلادك، أتمنى لك السعادة الدائمة والأوقات المميزة. (Fi Eid Miladik, atamanna lak as-sa'adah ad-dayimah wal-awqat al-mumayizah.) – On your birthday, I wish you eternal happiness and special moments.

Happy Birthday in Muslim: Popular Prayers

Arabic-speaking people are known for their commitment to religion. So it is no wonder they always bless other people with prayers on every special occasion, including birthdays. Here are some common examples of such happy birthday wishes in Arabic.

يا رب، أسألك في عيد ميلاده/ها أن تحفظه/ها وترعاه/ها. (Ya Rabb, as’aluka fee Eid Miladihi/ha an tahfizahu/ha wa tar’aahu/ha.) – Lord, I ask you on his/her birthday to keep him/her safe and take care of him/her.
يا الله، امنحه/ها سعادة تملئ قلبه/ها طوال العام. (Ya Allah, aminhu/ha sa’adah tumli’u qalbahu/ha tawalan al-’aam.) – O Allah, grant him/her happiness that fills his/her heart throughout the year.
يا الله، ارزقه/ها العافية والرضا واجعله/ها ذخرًا لأحبائه/ها. (Ya Allah, rzuqhu/ha al-’aafiyyah wal-rida wa-ij’alhu/ha thakhran li-ahbaaihi/ha.) – O Allah, grant him/her health and contentment and make him/her a treasure for his/her loved ones.
اللهم امنحه/ها الصحة والنجاح في كل مجالات حياته/ها. (Allahumma aminhu/ha as-sihah wal-najaah fee kulli majaalat hayatihi/ha.) – May God grant him/her health and success in all areas of his/her life.
اللهم ألهمه/ها بالخير والنجاح في كل رحلته/ها. (Allahumma alhimhu/ha bil-khayr wal-najaah fee kull rihlatihi/ha.) – May Allah inspire him/her with goodness and success in all his/her journey.

Bonus! Birthday Wishes in Arabic for Different Relationships

If you want to personalize your birthday greeting even more, you can easily choose a wish that will work only for a specific relationship. This way, you can show your contentment to the person, making your words sound more personal. Here’s how to say happy birthday in Muslim in various circumstances.

To a best friend: عيد ميلاد سعيد لأفضل صديق/صديقة على الإطلاق. (Eid Milad Saeed li-afdal sadeeq/sadeeqah ‘ala al-itlaq.) – Happy Birthday to the best friend ever.
To brother: عيد ميلاد سعيد يا أخي! أنت دعمي وملهمي. (Eid Milad Saeed ya akhi! Anta da’ami wa-mulhami.) – Happy Birthday, brother! You are my support and inspiration.
To sister: كل عام وأنتِ بألف خير! أنتِ ليستِ فقط أختي بل صديقتي العزيزة. (Kull ‘aam wa’anti bi-alf khair! Anti lasti faqat ukhti bal sadeeqati al-azizah.) – Happy Birthday to you! You are not only my sister but also my dear friend.
To mother: عيد ميلاد سعيد يا أمي العزيزة! أنتِ الأمان والحنان. (Eid Milad Saeed ya ummi al-azizah! Anti al-amaan wal-hinan.) – Happy Birthday, dear Mom! You are the safety and tenderness.
To father: عيد ميلاد سعيد يا أبي العزيز! أنتِ قدوتي وروحي. (Eid Milad Saeed ya abi al-aziz! Anti quduati wa-ruhi.) – Happy Birthday, dear Dad! You are my role model and my soul.
To husband: عيد ميلاد سعيد لزوجي الغالي! أنت مصدر فرحي. (Eid Milad Saeed li-zawji al-ghali! Anta masdar farhi.) – Happy Birthday to my dear husband! You are the source of my joy.
To wife: عيد ميلاد سعيد حبيبتي! أنتِ سر سعادتي. (Eid Milad Saeed habibati! Anti sir sa’adati.) – Happy Birthday, baby! You are the secret to my happiness.

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Conclusion

How do Muslims say happy birthday? We hope that after reading today’s article, you already know the answer. Many people in the Arab-speaking world are known for being emotional, passionate, and caring. So, it is no surprise that their birthday wishes, both religious and non-religious, are filled with sincerity and warmth. And that’s it for now! Tell us when your birthday is in the comments below, and we’re looking forward to seeing you in the next article!

FAQ

Can I write these birthday wishes on a greeting card?

Sure! Most of these expressions work great as a written greeting, so you can definitely use them on birthday cards. But, of course, we’d recommend you practice writing them down beforehand, especially if you’re new to the language. This way, you’ll get familiar with the script, making it much easier for you.

How do I know if I’m using the right gender-specific phrase?

It might sound a bit boring and obvious, but it all comes with practice. If you’re just starting, you need to pay attention to gender-related differences and memorize the right phrases. The more you practice, the easier it will become for you to recognize different grammatical patterns, and with time, you’ll be able to use the proper expression almost intuitively.

Do you have some tips for practicing Arabic happy birthday phrases?

You bet! And we start, of course, with the main one – practice makes perfect. You might think it’s too cliché, but the truth is, it’s really working wonders. If you want to wish someone a happy birthday in Arabic, start by choosing one or two phrases you like the most. After that, listen to their proper pronunciation and try to repeat it. However, consider your feelings to avoid being too nervous or overwhelmed.

How to say happy birthday in Arabic in a professional setting?

If you want to greet your boss or colleague, the safest option is to choose one of the most used expressions. However, if you want to add some personal touch, you can also consider an appropriate prayer or greeting. Either way, to remain polite and avoid being too persistent, as it might be considered unnecessary or even rude.