A1 Phrase guide
A friend’s birthday is coming up, and you want to surprise them in their own language. Good idea, but German birthday customs have a few traps, including one superstition that can turn your early wishes into bad luck. Here’s how to say happy birthday in German, how to pronounce it, what to write in a card, how to reply when someone wishes you a happy birthday, and the customs every learner should know.
Quick answer
Happy birthday in German is Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! (literally “all the best for your birthday”). A slightly more formal option is Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! Never say it before the actual day: in Germany, early birthday wishes are considered bad luck.
This guide is part of our German phrases and greetings series.
What does “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag” mean?
| German | Literal meaning |
|---|---|
| Alles | everything, all |
| Gute | good (the good things) |
| zum | for the (short for zu dem) |
| Geburtstag | birthday (die Geburt = birth + der Tag = day) |
So the whole phrase means “all the best for your birthday”. It’s warm, friendly and works for everyone: friends, family, colleagues and your boss.
How to pronounce it
| Phrase | Sounds like | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Alles Gute zum Geburtstag | AH-less GOO-tuh tsoom guh-BOORTS-tahk | [ˈaləs ˈɡuːtə tsʊm ɡəˈbuːɐ̯tstaːk] |
| Herzlichen Glückwunsch | HAIRTS-li-khen GLÜCK-voonsh | [ˈhɛʁtslɪçn̩ ˈɡlʏkvʊnʃ] |
- zum starts with a “ts” sound, because the German z is always “ts”.
- Geburtstag is stressed on the second syllable: ge-BURTS-tag. The final g sounds like a k.
- Glückwunsch has the ü sound: say “ee” and round your lips. See our guide to ü.
When to use it
Formal
For colleagues, your boss, or older people you address with Sie: Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! or Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute zum Geburtstag. (I wish you all the best for your birthday.)
Informal
For friends and family: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!, Alles Liebe zum Geburtstag! (lots of love on your birthday) or simply Alles Gute! In texts, Germans often write Alles Gute zum Geb. or even HBD, borrowed from English.
Regional
In Austria you’ll hear Alles Gute zum Geburtstag too, sometimes Alles Liebe und Gute. In Switzerland, people say Ä Guete zum Geburi!, and in writing Herzliche Gratulation zum Geburtstag.
Never wish happy birthday early
In Germany, congratulating someone before their birthday is considered bad luck (Das bringt Unglück!). If you’ll miss the day, wish them a nice celebration instead (Feier schön!) and send your wishes later with nachträglich (belated): Alles Gute nachträglich zum Geburtstag!
Alternatives
| German | English | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! | Happy birthday! | Neutral, the classic |
| Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! | Congratulations on your birthday! | Polite, also formal |
| Alles Liebe zum Geburtstag! | Lots of love on your birthday! | Warm, family and close friends |
| Alles Gute! | All the best! | Short and casual |
| Happy Birthday! | Happy birthday! | Casual, very common in Germany too |
| Alles Gute nachträglich! | Happy belated birthday! | Neutral |
| Ich wünsche dir alles Gute zum Geburtstag. | I wish you a happy birthday. | Neutral, informal du |
| Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute zum Geburtstag. | I wish you a happy birthday. | Formal Sie |
Formality meter
Most formal → most casual: Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag → Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute → Alles Gute zum Geburtstag → Alles Liebe! → Alles Gute! → Happy Birthday!
What to write in a German birthday card
- Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Ich wünsche dir Gesundheit, Glück und viel Erfolg im neuen Lebensjahr. (Happy birthday! I wish you health, happiness and lots of success in your new year of life.)
- Zu deinem Geburtstag nur das Beste! Lass dich feiern! (Only the best for your birthday! Let yourself be celebrated!)
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum 30.! Auf die nächsten 30 Jahre! (Congratulations on your 30th! Here’s to the next 30 years!)
- For a colleague: Liebe Frau Weber, herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag und einen schönen Tag! Ihr Team.
How to respond
| Reply | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Danke schön! | Thank you very much! |
| Vielen Dank! | Many thanks! |
| Danke für die lieben Glückwünsche! | Thanks for the lovely wishes! |
| Danke, dass du an mich gedacht hast! | Thanks for thinking of me! |
| Herzlichen Dank für die Glückwünsche! | Heartfelt thanks for the wishes! (formal, in writing) |
More ways to say thanks: Danke schön, Dankeschön or danke sehr?
German birthday customs
- The birthday person brings the cake. At work in Germany, it’s common for the person with the birthday to bring cake or snacks for colleagues.
- Reinfeiern: “celebrating in” means partying until midnight so you can toast the birthday at 12 o’clock sharp. It’s the one way to celebrate “early” without bad luck.
- Round birthdays: a runder Geburtstag (30, 40, 50…) is a big deal, often with a bigger party.
- Birthday songs: you’ll hear “Happy Birthday” in English, the German version Zum Geburtstag viel Glück, and the traditional Hoch soll er/sie leben.
- The birthday person often pays: if you invite friends out on your birthday, people may expect you to treat them.
Example dialogues
At the office
Kollege: Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Frau Yilmaz!Colleague: Happy birthday, Ms. Yilmaz!
Frau Yilmaz: Vielen Dank! In der Küche steht Kuchen für alle.Ms. Yilmaz: Thank you very much! There’s cake for everyone in the kitchen.
A text to a friend
Du: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Jonas! 🎉 Feier schön heute!You: Happy birthday, Jonas! Have a great party today!
Jonas: Danke dir! Kommst du heute Abend?Jonas: Thanks! Are you coming tonight?
Quick quiz
1. How do you say happy birthday in German?
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
2. Your boss has a birthday. What’s a good formal wish?
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!
3. You forgot yesterday’s birthday. Which word do you add?
nachträglich: Alles Gute nachträglich!
4. Can you wish happy birthday a day early in Germany?
Better not: it’s considered bad luck.
5. How does “zum” start?
With a “ts” sound.
FAQs
How do you say happy birthday in German?
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag. A more formal alternative is Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag.
What does Alles Gute zum Geburtstag mean literally?
“All the best for the birthday”, or simply “all the best on your birthday”.
How do you say happy belated birthday in German?
Alles Gute nachträglich zum Geburtstag! or Nachträglich herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Why is it bad luck to wish happy birthday early in Germany?
It’s a traditional superstition: congratulating before the day “tempts fate”. Many Germans take it half-jokingly, but it’s polite to respect it.
How do you say happy birthday in Austrian or Swiss German?
Austrians also say Alles Gute zum Geburtstag. In Switzerland you’ll hear Ä Guete zum Geburi in dialect, and Herzliche Gratulation in writing.
Say Alles Gute zum Geburtstag on the day (never before), write Herzlichen Glückwunsch to colleagues, and if you’re late, just add nachträglich. For more celebration phrases, see the wishes section of our phrases guide.
Sources and further reading: See more German greetings and wishes with examples in DWDS, and check spelling in Duden.
Keep learning → German phrases and greetings for every situation
