If you are writing a Chinese birthday card, keep it short and kind. Start with happy birthday in Chinese, add one personal line, then wish health, happiness, and a wonderful year. Use pinyin so the birthday person can read it easily.
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Chinese Birthday Wishes
- 生日快乐 — Shēngrì kuàilè — Happy birthday
- 祝你生日快乐 — Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè — Wishing you a happy birthday
- 身体健康 — Shēntǐ jiànkāng — Wishing you good health
- 万事如意 — Wànshì rúyì — May everything go as you wish
- 心想事成 — Xīnxiǎng shì chéng — May your wishes come true
- 新的一年顺顺利利 — Xīn de yīnián shùnshùn lìlì — Have a smooth year
- 学业进步 — Xuéyè jìnbù — Progress in your studies
- 事业腾飞 — Shìyè téngfēi — Soaring success in your career
Birthday Wishes in Chinese
- 好运常在 — Hǎoyùn cháng zài — Good luck always
- 天天开心 — Tiāntiān kāixīn — Joy every day
- 笑口常开 — Xiàokǒu cháng kāi — May you always smile
- 平安喜乐 — Píng’ān xǐlè — Peace and joy
- 前程似锦 — Qiánchéng sì jǐn — Bright future
Happy Birthday in Chinese
Mandarin: 生日快乐 (Shēngrì kuàilè), 祝你生日快乐 (Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè)
Polite form for elders or formal notes: 祝您生日快乐 (Zhù nín shēngrì kuàilè)
Cantonese: 生日快樂 (Sāangyaht faailohk), 祝你生日快樂 (Juk néih sāangyaht faailohk)
You can also mention the Chinese happy birthday song 《祝你生日快乐》 in a playful line such as: 今天给你唱一首《祝你生日快乐》.
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Chinese Birthday Wishes for Elderly
- 福寿安康 — Fúshòu ānkāng — Blessings, longevity, and health
- 松鹤延年 — Sōnghè yánnián — Long life like the pine and crane
- 岁岁平安 — Suìsuì píng’ān — Peace year after year
- 子孙满堂，福气满满 — Zǐsūn mǎntáng, fúqì mǎnmǎn — A hall full of descendants and abundant fortune
Chinese Birthday Wishes for Friend
- 朋友，生日快乐，一起吃蛋糕吧 — Péngyou, shēngrì kuàilè, yīqǐ chī dàngāo ba — Happy birthday, friend—let’s eat cake
- 愿我们的友谊常青 — Yuàn wǒmen de yǒuyì chángqīng — May our friendship stay evergreen
- 祝你每天好运连连 — Zhù nǐ měitiān hǎoyùn liánlián — Wishing you good luck every day
- 新的一岁，新的突破 — Xīn de yī suì, xīn de tūpò — A new age, new breakthroughs
Chinese Birthday Wishes for Grandma
- 奶奶，生日快乐，健康长寿 — Nǎinai, shēngrì kuàilè, jiànkāng chángshòu — Grandma, happy birthday; wishing you health and longevity
- 常伴笑颜，岁岁平安 — Cháng bàn xiàoyán, suìsuì píng’ān — May smiles be with you and peace each year
- 谢谢您的爱与照顾 — Xièxie nín de ài yǔ zhàogù — Thank you for your love and care
Chinese Birthday Traditions & Culture
Longevity noodles symbolize long life; longevity peach buns are often served for elders. Many families celebrate by the lunar date. Red and gold are auspicious for birthday gifts and decorations.
Chinese Birthday Etiquette & Taboos
- Avoid gifting clocks or pears; some families avoid the number 4
- Write names correctly and keep birthday greetings positive
- Use polite forms for elders: 祝您生日快乐 + 身体健康
Quick Birthday Captions
- 生日快乐，天天开心 — Shēngrì kuàilè, tiāntiān kāixīn — Happy birthday, joy every day
- 吃蛋糕啦 — Chī dàngāo la — Cake time
- 愿这一年温柔以待 — Yuàn zhè yīnián wēnróu yǐ dài — May the year be kind to you
FAQs
How to wish a Chinese person a happy birthday?
Say 生日快乐 (Shēngrì kuàilè) or 祝你生日快乐 (Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè). For elders or formal notes, use 祝您生日快乐 and add 身体健康.
What is the best message for a birthday card?
Keep it simple: 生日快乐！身体健康，万事如意 — Happy birthday. Wishing you health and all the best.
How do you send good wishes to Chinese?
Use auspicious phrases such as 平安喜乐, 心想事成, 新的一年顺顺利利. Add one personal line.
What is Chinese birthday etiquette?
Positive wording, modest gifts or red envelopes for close family, and avoid taboos like clocks. Noodles or peach buns are traditional for elders.