How to Say Happy Birthday in French, and Celebrate Like a Local!

Wishing someone a happy birthday in French is not just about learning a phrase. It’s also about tone, timing, and culture! Let me walk you through how we do birthdays in France, with lots of useful expressions, cultural tips, and even a little personal experience thrown in. 🇫🇷

So, how to say happy birthday in French?

Speaking: The Basics

The two most common ways to say “Happy Birthday” are:

• 🎉 Joyeux anniversaire !
• 🎉 Bon anniversaire !

Both mean Happy Birthday, and both are perfectly acceptable in speech or writing.

👂Pronunciation tip

You must make the liaison between the two words!
Say it as one flowing phrase:

• Joyeux anniversaire → joyeuzzzanniversaire
• Bon anniversaire → bonnnanniversaire

Practice saying it out loud:

• Joyeuzzzanniversaire!
• Bonnnanniversaire!

Très bien !

When celebrating birthdays, it’s always good to start with a greeting, learn how to say hi in French to make the occasion friendly from the start.

Writing: Make It Personal

If you’re writing a card, email, or message, you can make your wishes more heartfelt with longer phrases. Here are a few lovely examples:

• Je te souhaite un très joyeux anniversaire !
  I wish you a very happy birthday!
  
• Nous te souhaitons une merveilleuse journée d’anniversaire !
  We wish you a wonderful birthday!
  
• Que cette journée d’anniversaire te soit douce et festive !
  May your birthday be sweet and festive!
  
• Tous mes vœux pour cette belle journée !
  Best wishes for a beautiful day!

✨ These sound especially lovely in French, even if they might feel a bit formal or poetic in English.

Forgot the Date? Don’t Panic!

If you missed the birthday by a day or two, don’t stress. In France, it’s not the end of the world. I personally love when people still take the time to send a message, even if it’s a little late.

Just say:
🎈 Joyeux anniversaire en retard !
(Happy belated birthday!)

Or if you’re replying to someone who posted online:
J’espère que tu as passé une excellente journée d’anniversaire !
(I hope you had a wonderful birthday!)

Talking About Age

Asking someone’s age isn’t considered as taboo in France as it is in some countries. In a friendly setting, it’s totally fine!

Alors, ça te fait quel âge ?
(So, how old are you now?)
Maybe don’t ask your boss… but among colleagues or friends, it’s fair game.

Birthday Vocabulary

French	English
Une fête d’anniversaire	A birthday party
Un dîner d’anniversaire	A birthday dinner
Un cadeau d’anniversaire	A birthday gift
Le gâteau d’anniversaire	The birthday cake
Les bougies	Candles
Le Champagne	Champagne

Birthdays often mean cake, explore our article on French cakes to discover delicious classics.

Pro Tips: Real French Birthday Culture

I grew up in France, and here’s something you should know:
Birthday parties here are usually simple, heartfelt, and focused on good food, good people, and good vibes.

• Don’t expect balloons or fancy decorations.
• Do expect a homemade chocolate cake 🍫 and great wine 🍷.
• Gifts are personal, thoughtful, like a favorite book or tickets to a play.
• Instagram-style themed parties exist, but they’re still rare outside big cities.

What to Bring?

• A thoughtful gift, budget around 20–30€.
• A book, a bottle of wine, or concert tickets are always appreciated.
• Flowers? Optional but appreciated.
• Champagne? Usually brought by the host.

Want to be extra polite? Say:
Oh, mais il ne fallait pas ! (Oh, you shouldn’t have!)

What to Wear?

There’s no real dress code. People wear what makes them feel good.
If you overdress, nobody will say anything, but you might feel out of place. And please, don’t overdo the curls, French women don’t have time for that! 😉

When to Arrive?

Arriving exactly on time is good. Arriving 15 minutes late is even better!
It’s a French custom called:
Le quart d’heure de politesse
(the quarter-hour of politeness), it gives the host a little breathing room.

If you’re later than that… have a good excuse! 😉

👉 Read more here (Marmiton)

Songs

Yes, we sing Joyeux anniversaire, to the exact same tune as “Happy Birthday to You.”

But there’s also a traditional French birthday song that my mother sang to me growing up. Fewer people know it today because the melody is a bit more complex and the lyrics are longer.

If you know it, and sing it, you’ll definitely impress your French friends.
And if they ask where you learned it, tell them:
From a friend who loves French birthdays. 😉

Final word

Now you’re all set to wish someone a happy birthday in French, whether it’s a quick “Joyeux anniversaire!”, a sweet message, or a full-on party greeting.

🎂 Speak from the heart, enjoy the cake, and don’t forget the Champagne!

After the party’s over, it helps to know how to say bye in French to leave on a friendly note.