At Deutsch Akademie we are not doing only the usual classes. While every day we are trying to learn new words and grammar rules, we are trying to also better assimilate the German culture. In one of the other days, a colleague had her birthday, so we had the best moment to learn how to say happy birthday in German, what to do or not do when is somebody birthday, and so on and so forth.

But before learning how to say „Happy Birthday“ in German though, you need to know about one important cultural point especially among older Germans: wishing a German a happy birthday before their birthday is considered bad luck, so don’t do it. And as for gifts and cards you may want to send, just make sure to state to them that they should open the package on their birthday.

Some birthday expressions that you can use are:

• Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! (Happy Birthday!)
• All das Beste zum Geburtstag! (All the best on your birthday!)
• Ich gratuliere Ihnen zu Ihrem 20/30/55 etc. ! (Congratulations on your 20/30/55th etc. birthday!)
• Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! (Have a good birthday!)
• Viel Glück zum Geburtstag!  (Best of luck on your birthday.)

Please keep in mind that the following translations are the English equivalents and not the literal translations.

In the end, for my colleague Mariko,   Viel Glück zum Geburtstag!