How to say 'Happy Birthday' in French

Joyeux Anniversaire To You – French Birthdays

Many people in ma famille celebrate their anniversaire (birthday) in Juin (June), including me! Aujourd’hui (today) we’re going to take a look at how to wish someone a Happy Birthday.

There are a two ways to say Happy Birthday in French:

Joyeux anniversaire !

Bon anniversaire !

Très souvent (very often) a short phrase is attached:

Passe une très bonne journée ! Have a very good day!

Passe une excellente journée ! Have an excellent day!

Of course, no anniversaire is complete with singing Joyeux Annivesaire (Happy Birthday to You) before on souffle les bougies de son gâteau d’anniversaire (you blow out the candles on your birthday cake). It’s an easy song and you should try singing it the next time someone celebrates their anniversaire! Just fill in the blanks with the name of the person celebrating their anniversaire.

Joyeux anniversaire,

Joyeux anniversaire _________ ,

Joyeux anniversaire.

Cependant (however), le français is a global language, and au Canada there is a slightly different expression used to wish people joyeux anniversaire:

Bonne fête!

And with this slightly different expression comes a slightly different song, Bonne fête à toi:

Bonne fête _________,

Bonne fête_________,

Bonne fête, bonne fête,

Bonne fête _________.

Now that must be the two easiest songs to sing in a foreign language, impressive eh!