How to say “happy birthday” in Chinese
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Pinyin colour key: tone 1 (high flat), tone 2 (rising), tone 3 (dipping), tone 4 (falling), neutral.
Word by word
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快乐 (kuàilè, 'happy') attaches to many occasions: 新年快乐 (Happy New Year), 节日快乐 (happy holidays).
In a sentence
Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè!
Happy birthday to you!
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How do you say "happy birthday" in Chinese?+
"happy birthday" in Mandarin Chinese is 生日快乐, pronounced shēngrì kuàilè. 快乐 (kuàilè, 'happy') attaches to many occasions: 新年快乐 (Happy New Year), 节日快乐 (happy holidays).
What does 生日快乐 mean literally?+
生日快乐 breaks down as 生日 (shēngrì) = birthday, 快乐 (kuàilè) = happy / joyful. Together it means "happy birthday".
How do I get the tones right in shēngrì kuàilè?+
快乐 (kuàilè, 'happy') attaches to many occasions: 新年快乐 (Happy New Year), 节日快乐 (happy holidays).
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See all the phrases on the how to say things in Chinese index, or read how to learn Mandarin tones.