The Russians love any excuse to celebrate. A Russian birthday party is a great way to do that. You have finally been invited to one. The opportunity to say "happy birthday" in Russian awaits! Are you ready to do that?
Russian Birthday Greetings & Celebrations
A simple and quick way to congratulate someone on their birthday in Russian is to say:
С днём рожде́ния! — Happy Birthday!
There are other ways to wish someone a happy birthday and make them feel special.
Here's a more formal birthday greeting:
Поздравля́ю Вас с Днём Рожде́ния! — I congratulate you on your birthday!
A heartfelt birthday wish will be the perfect keepsake for the именинник (birthday boy) or именинница (birthday girl). To wish them happiness and a good life, begin with one of these Russian phrases:
Я жела́ю Вам… — I wish you… (formal)
Я жела́ю тебе́… — I wish you… (informal)
Then add one of these choices:
всего́ са́мого наилу́чшего — all the best
сча́стья и здоро́вья — health and happiness
успе́ха и ра́дости — success and joy
любви́ — love
хоро́шего настрое́ния — good spirits / to be in a great mood
хоро́шего дня / го́да — a good day / year
успе́хов во всех начина́ниях — success in all your endeavours
исполне́ния всех жела́ний — that all your dreams come true
С днём варе́нья (literally means “Happy Jam Day”) would be a super-funny way to wish children or close friends a happy birthday.
Since it's a perfectly acceptable question in Russia, you can ask someone how old they are:
Ско́лько Вам лет? — How old are you? (formal)
Ско́лько тебе лет? — How old are you? (informal)
However, as a sign of respect, avoid asking an older woman her age.
Russian Birthday Toasts
It’s common to make a тост (toast) at Russian birthday celebrations. Learn these popular toasts:
За имени́нницу! — To the birthday girl!
За имени́нника! — To the birthday boy!
За здоро́вье! — To your health!
За роди́телей! — To your parents!
За хозя́йку э́того до́ма! — To the hostess!
The expression На здоро́вье! is often used incorrectly by foreigners. На здоро́вье actually means “You’re welcome” and is used when someone thanks you for food or drinks:
Спаси́бо за шокола́д. — Thank you for the chocolate.
На здоро́вье, Ма́ша. — You’re welcome, Masha.
Russian Birthday Traditions & Superstitions
At Russian birthday parties, presents are given and ears are pulled. This silly birthday tradition involves pulling the birthday person's ears a certain number of times: their age in years plus one. Don't forget to chant: "расти́ большо́й, не будь лапшо́й" (literally translates to "grow big but don't be a noodle") — in other words, grow big and strong.
Never say "happy birthday" too early. The Russians believe that congratulating someone on a birthday or even giving birthday gifts before the day arrives brings bad luck.
Birthday cake candles should be blown on the first try all at once. You're also supposed to make a wish as you blow out the candles. Don't tell anyone what you wished for if you want it to come true.
Happy celebrating!
When is your birthday? Leave your answers in the comments section below.
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