Looking to wish someone a Happy Birthday in Thai? Here ‘s how it is written in Thai:
แฮปปี้เบิร์ดเดย์
But if you're interested in learning more about the language and culture behind birthday wishes in Thailand, you've come to the right place!
In this post, we'll explore different ways to wish someone a Happy Birthday in Thai, explain the meanings of each phrase, and even show you how to sing the Thai version of the Happy Birthday song.
1. Saying “Happy Birthday” in Thai: Quick Options
There are a few different ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Thai, depending on how formal or casual you'd like to be.
1.1. “Happy Birthday!” in English
Yes, you can simply say “Happy Birthday!” in English. Most Thai people understand it, and it's widely used in casual conversations.
1.2. แฮปปี้เบิร์ดเดย์ (Happy Birthday in Thai Pronunciation)
This is the Thai version of “Happy Birthday” and is pronounced using the Thai sound system. However, because there is no ‘TH' sound in Thai, “birth” is pronounced more like “bird” or “bert” (dropping the “r” sound). So it sounds something like “Happy Bird-day.”
1.3. สุขสันต์วันเกิด (Suk San Wan Gert)
For a more formal and traditional option, you can use the phrase สุขสันต์วันเกิด, which directly translates to “Happy Birthday.” This is commonly used in written form, like on greeting cards or social media posts. While you can say it out loud, many prefer the simpler Thai pronunciation of “Happy Birthday.”
Here's a breakdown of the phrase:
- สุขสันต์ (Suk San) – happy or blissful
- วันเกิด (Wan Gert) – birthday (literally “day of birth”)
2. Breaking Down the Thai Word for “Birthday”
Like in many cultures, celebrating birthdays in Thailand is a big deal, and understanding the word for “birthday” will help you engage more in these celebrations.
The word for birthday in Thai is:
วันเกิด (Wan + Gert)
- วัน (Wan) – day
- เกิด (Geuod) – to be born
So, วันเกิด literally means “day of birth.”
3. How to Sing the Thai Happy Birthday Song
The Thai version of the Happy Birthday song is almost identical to the English version, so it will sound very familiar. The only major difference is in the third line. Instead of singing “Happy Birthday dear [Name],” you’ll simply repeat the phrase “Happy Birthday.”
Here’s how it goes:
- แฮปปี้ เบิร์ดเดย์ ทู ยู (Happy Birthday to You)
- แฮปปี้ เบิร์ดเดย์ ทู ยู (Happy Birthday to You)
- แฮปปี้ เบิร์ดเดย์ แฮปปี้ เบิร์ดเดย์ (Happy Birthday Happy Birthday)
- แฮปปี้ เบิร์ดเดย์ ทู…. ยู…. (Happy Birthday toooo youuu)
Even if you can’t read Thai yet, it's easy to sing along once you get the rhythm. And if you're feeling adventurous, try singing it the next time you're celebrating a birthday in Thailand!
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Saying “Happy Birthday” in Thai can be as simple as using the English phrase with a Thai accent, or you can use the more formal สุขสันต์วันเกิด for special occasions.
Now that you're equipped with the language, go ahead and spread some birthday cheer – Thai style!