How to say 'Happy birthday' in Spanish and practice pronunciation
You say 'Feliz cumpleaños' for 'Happy birthday' in Spanish. Pronounce it as fe-LEEZ koom-PLEH-ahn-yos, stressing the second-to-last syllable, and practice by saying it aloud several times, focusing on the soft 'z' sound and the nasal 'ñ'. This short phrase lets you celebrate a friend’s special day while training your Spanish rhythm and intonation.
Break it into syllables: fe-LEEZ / koom-PLEH / ahn-yos. Say each part slowly, then blend them together. Record yourself and compare to a native speaker, or ask a Langel to repeat it back at a slower speed.
When you feel comfortable, try using it in a short sentence: '¡Feliz cumpleaños, María!' or 'Te deseo un feliz cumpleaños.' This builds confidence and helps the phrase stick in real conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce 'Feliz cumpleaños' correctly?
Answer: Start with 'fe' like 'feh', then 'LEEZ' with a soft 'z' sound, stress on that syllable. Next, 'koom' like 'comb' without the b, 'PLEH' with a short e, and finish 'ahn-yos' where the ñ sounds like 'ny' in 'canyon' and the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable.
Can I practice 'Feliz cumpleaños' with a Langel?
Answer: Yes. Choose a Language Angel, set the dial to 'Talk to me', and say the phrase aloud. The Langel will listen, correct any mispronunciation inside its reply, and can repeat it slower or explain in your language if you ask.
What if I make a mistake saying 'Feliz cumpleaños'?
Answer: Mistakes are part of learning. The Langel will gently return the correct form within its response, so you hear the right version immediately. You can then try again, gradually reducing the error until it feels natural.
With a Langel
You: Feliz cumpleaños. Langel: Almost! Try fe-LEEZ koom-PLEH-ahn-yos, stressing the LEEZ and the ñ like ny. Want me to say it slower? You: Yes, please. Langel: fe-LEEZ ... koom-PLEH ... ahn-yos. You: Feliz cumpleaños! Langel: Perfect! Now try it in a sentence: “¡Feliz cumpleaños, Ana!”
Related guides
- AP Spanish conversation practice: how to prepare for the speaking tasks out loudAP Spanish conversation practice is timed, spoken and unscripted. How to train the simulated conversation daily, alone or with a partner who answers.
- How Langels works for Spanish: voice practice that fits your dayLangels gives you a Spanish voice partner who replies in real time, corrects inside the conversation, and remembers what you said last time. Five minutes…
- How to Ask for the Bill in SpanishSay 'La cuenta, por favor' or '¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?' to ask for the bill in Spanish; both are polite and understood everywhere.