祝您生日快乐
zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè
Birthday wishes for elderly · trad. 祝您生日快樂
祝您生日快乐 is a polite and respectful way to say "Happy Birthday" to an elder in Mandarin Chinese. While 生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè) is a general "Happy Birthday," adding 您 (nín, the polite "you") makes it specifically appropriate for seniors.
When to use it
Polite and respectful. Always use 您 (nín) for elders. It's also very common to add wishes for good health (身体健康, shēntǐ jiànkāng) and longevity. For very traditional or formal settings, ancient blessings like 福如东海，寿比南山 (fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān) are used. The common reply is 谢谢 (xièxie, thank you).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "Joo NEEN shung-ruh kwai-leh." The first syllable 祝 is a falling tone, 您 is rising, 生 is flat, 日 is falling-rising, 快 is falling, and 乐 is a light neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 祝您生日快乐，身体健康！zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè ， shēn tǐ jiàn kāng ！Wish you a happy birthday and good health!
- 祝您福如东海，寿比南山！zhù nín fú rú dōng hǎi ， shòu bǐ nán shān ！May your fortune be as vast as the East Sea and your life as long as the South Mountain! (traditional, for elders)
- 祝您长命百岁！zhù nín cháng mìng bǎi suì ！Wish you a long life of 100 years! (traditional, for elders)
Examples
爷爷，祝您生日快乐！
yé ye ， zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè ！
Grandpa, wish you a happy birthday!
祝您生日快乐，身体健康，万事如意！
zhù nín shēng rì kuài lè ， shēn tǐ jiàn kāng ， wàn shì rú yì ！
Wish you a happy birthday, good health, and all your wishes come true!
奶奶，祝您福如东海，寿比南山！
nǎi nai ， zhù nín fú rú dōng hǎi ， shòu bǐ nán shān ！
Grandma, may your fortune be as vast as the East Sea and your life as long as the South Mountain!
Pro tip: When wishing an elder a happy birthday, always use 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ) to show respect. It's also customary and highly appreciated to add wishes for good health and longevity.
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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