German › Phrases › Happy birthday
The quick answer: happy birthday in German is Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! (AH-les GOO-tuh tsoom geh-BOORTS-taak) — “all the best for your birthday”. And whatever you do: never say it early — Germans consider that bad luck. 👇
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
AH-les GOO-tuh tsoom geh-BOORTS-taak · the German happy birthday
🐌 Play slow version
Every birthday wish you’ll need
| German | Say it like | Use it when… | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! | AH-les GOO-tuh tsoom geh-BOORTS-taak | the standard warm wish | |
| Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! | HERTS-lish-en GLEWK-voonsh… | “heartfelt congratulations” — a touch more formal | |
| Alles Liebe zum Geburtstag! | AH-les LEE-buh… | “all the love” — for people close to you | |
| Glück und Gesundheit! | glewk oont geh-ZOONT-hite | “luck and health!” — a warm add-on or standalone wish | |
| Geburtstag | geh-BOORTS-taak | the word “birthday” itself |
💡 Pronunciation tip: Geburtstag breaks into geh-BOORTS-taak — the “burts” in the middle carries the stress. Say it after the audio twice and it stops looking like a monster.
The rule that surprises everyone
In Germany, birthday wishes before the actual day are genuinely unwelcome — the superstition (Vorfeiern bringt Unglück) runs deep. Even a well-meant “early happy birthday!” gets a nervous laugh. Wait until midnight; some friends call at 00:01 precisely to be first — legally.
🇩🇪 At the party: the celebrant brings the cake in Germany — to their own office, their own classroom. If it’s YOUR birthday among Germans, you’re the caterer. Nobody warns foreigners about this. Now you know.
📬 Take this lesson with you
A tiny German lesson in your inbox every few days — words, audio, and a small story from everyday life. Free forever.
Join 1,700+ learners · unsubscribe anytime
Practice: quick check
1. Your German friend’s birthday is TOMORROW. What do you say today?
Nothing! Not a word — early wishes are bad luck. Set an alarm and open with Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! tomorrow.
2. Writing in a card for your German colleague…
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! — the polished written form.
3. Toasting the birthday person…
Glück und Gesundheit! — luck and health, glasses raised.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in German?
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag — literally “all the best for your birthday”. The slightly more formal alternative is Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag — “heartfelt congratulations”.
What is the German birthday song?
Germans often sing “Zum Geburtstag viel Glück” — the German words set to the Happy Birthday melody you already know. At parties you may also hear “Hoch soll er leben!” (for him) or “Hoch soll sie leben!” (for her) — “long may they live!”
Is it bad luck to wish a German happy birthday early?
Yes — seriously! Wishing before the actual day (vorfeiern) is considered bad luck in Germany. Never congratulate early; a day late is fine, a day early is a cultural faux pas.