You can say happy birthday in English in two words or in a whole heartfelt message. This collection brings together more than 60 birthday wishes in English: basic phrases, short messages for texting, wishes for friends, family, your partner, colleagues and your boss, funny lines, verses and tips on writing a personal message. Each wish comes with a short note on when to use it. Wishes for other recipients, from Mum to a colleague, are collected in birthday wishes for family, friends and colleagues.
The closer the person, the simpler and warmer the words
Basic birthday phrases
Happy birthday! — the universal greeting for anyone.
Happy birthday to you! — a slightly more festive version.
Many happy returns of the day! — a traditional British wish for a long life.
Best wishes on your birthday! — neutral, good for a card.
Wishing you all the best! — fits friends and colleagues alike.
Have a great birthday! — friendly and simple.
Have a wonderful day! — works as a closing line.
Cheers to another year! — a toast-style wish.
Short birthday wishes in English
Happy birthday! Stay awesome! — casual, for friends.
Have the best birthday ever! — short and upbeat.
Enjoy your special day! — warm and universal.
May all your wishes come true! — classic and kind.
Sending you lots of love on your birthday! — for family and close friends.
Hope your day is as amazing as you are! — a compliment and a wish in one.
Wishing you a year full of joy! — looks ahead to the new year of life.
Happy birthday and many more! — wishes many more birthdays.
Birthday wishes for friends
Happy birthday to my partner in crime! Let’s make this year legendary. — playful, for a best friend.
Thanks for always being there for me. Happy birthday, my friend! — sincere and grateful.
Another year older, but still young at heart. Happy birthday! — light and positive.
You deserve all the cake today! Have a blast! — fun and informal.
Life is better with a friend like you. Happy birthday! — heartfelt.
Here’s to more adventures together! — a toast for friends.
Birthday wishes for family
Happy birthday, Mom! Thank you for your endless love and care. — for mother.
Happy birthday, Dad! You are my hero and my best adviser. — for father.
Happy birthday to the best sister in the world! — for a sister.
Happy birthday, brother! I’m lucky to have you. — for a brother.
Happy birthday, Grandma! Your hugs make everything better. — for a grandmother.
Happy birthday, sweetheart! Watching you grow is our greatest joy. — for a child.
Birthday wishes for a child
Happy birthday, little one! May your day be full of fun and surprises. — for a small child.
You’re growing up so fast! Happy birthday, superstar! — for a school-age child.
Happy birthday to our little princess! — for a girl.
Happy birthday, champ! Keep dreaming big! — for a boy.
Wishing you lots of cake, presents and giggles! — fun and simple.
Romantic birthday wishes
Happy birthday, my love! Every day with you is a gift. — tender and simple.
To the love of my life: happy birthday! — short and romantic.
You make my world brighter. Happy birthday, darling! — warm compliment.
I’m so lucky to celebrate another birthday with you. — for a long relationship.
Happy birthday to my favourite person! — light and sweet.
Birthday wishes for colleagues
Happy birthday! It’s a pleasure to work with you. — friendly and professional.
Wishing you a fantastic birthday and a successful year ahead! — good for a team card.
Happy birthday to the best teammate ever! — informal team wish.
Hope you get some time to relax and celebrate today! — caring.
Have a great birthday and enjoy the cake! — light office wish.
Formal birthday wishes for your boss
Wishing you a very happy birthday and continued success. — formal and safe.
Please accept my warmest wishes on your birthday. — for an e-mail or card.
Thank you for your guidance and support. Happy birthday! — grateful.
May the coming year bring you health, happiness and new achievements. — a full formal wish.
Funny birthday wishes
Don’t worry about getting older — you’re still younger than you’ll be next year! — light humour.
Age is just a number. In your case, a pretty big one! — for close friends only.
Calories don’t count on your birthday! — good with cake.
You’re not old, you’re vintage! — for a round birthday.
Keep calm and eat cake! — a play on a famous slogan.
Milestone birthday wishes
Happy 18th birthday! Welcome to adulthood! — for an 18th birthday.
Happy 30th! The best is yet to come. — for a 30th birthday.
Happy 40th birthday! Life begins at forty! — a popular saying for 40.
Congratulations on your 50th birthday! Here’s to half a century of wonderful memories. — for a 50th birthday.
Happy 60th birthday! Wishing you good health and many more happy years. — respectful wish for 60.
Belated birthday wishes
Happy belated birthday! — the standard phrase.
Sorry I missed your birthday — I hope it was fantastic! — sincere apology.
Better late than never: happy birthday! — light and friendly.
Belated wishes, but sincere ones! Have a wonderful year! — warm closing.
Birthday captions for social media
Happy birthday to this amazing person! — caption under a photo.
HBD! Have an awesome day! — short comment.
Celebrating you today and every day! — for a story.
Another trip around the sun! Happy birthday! — popular caption.
Wishing you a day filled with love and laughter! — warm post.
Useful birthday vocabulary
birthday party — a celebration with guests.
birthday boy / birthday girl — the person celebrating.
to make a wish — before blowing out the candles.
to blow out the candles — a birthday tradition.
birthday card — where you write your message.
present / gift — both words are common.
surprise party — organised secretly.
milestone birthday — 18, 30, 50 and so on.
How to write a personal birthday message
Start with a greeting: Dear Anna, Hi John, My dearest Mom.
Add a personal detail — a shared memory or a quality you value: I’ll never forget our trip to Lviv.
Phrase the wish with May… or Wishing you… — it sounds warm and natural.
Sign off with With love, Best wishes, Cheers or Warm regards for a formal note.
Birthday verses in English
Today is your day to shine, To laugh, to dance, to feel just fine. May all your dreams come true this year — Happy birthday, my dear!
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Cake is delicious And so are you!
Another year, another start, With hope and love inside your heart; May every day bring something new And all the best come back to you!
Flowers to go with your wishes
A birthday message feels even warmer with a bouquet. Write a few lines in English on the card — for example, Happy birthday! With love — and order flowers with delivery. Bright bouquets suit friends, while restrained arrangements in a box work well for colleagues and managers.
Happy birthday or happy birthday to you — which is correct?
Both are correct. Happy birthday! is the universal short greeting, while Happy birthday to you sounds more festive and echoes the famous song.
What does many happy returns mean?
It is a traditional British wish meaning “may this day return many more times”, in other words, a wish for a long life.
How to wish happy birthday formally?
Use full sentences without slang or abbreviations: Please accept my warmest wishes on your birthday or Wishing you a very happy birthday and continued success.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
Birthday
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