HKDictionary

Cantonese Birthday Words

Wishing someone a happy birthday in Cantonese takes one phrase — and the words around it, the cake, the presents and the party, are just as easy. Here is everything you need to sing along and toast properly, with audio for each word.

saangˉ¹生jatˍ₆日
birthday
saangˉ¹生jatˍ₆日faai˗₃快lokˍ₆樂
Happy Birthday!
gungˉ¹恭heiˊ²喜
congratulations
laiˏ₅禮matˍ₆物
present; gift | [粵]: 禮, 手信
daanˍ₆蛋gouˉ¹糕
cake
laapˍ₆蠟zukˉ¹燭
a candle | [粵]: also 洋燭
paai˗₃派deoi˗₃對
party - loanword from the English "party"
hing˗₃慶zukˉ¹祝
(v.) to celebrate; (n.) celebration
coengˎ₄長mingˍ₆命baak˗₃百seoi˗₃歲
live to be a hundred; live to a ripe old age
sanˉ¹身taiˊ²體ginˍ₆健hongˉ¹康
"Wishing you Good Health" - used as a festive greeting at Chinese New Year and other special occasions. This is a suitable phrase to use with older people.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say happy birthday in Cantonese?

生日快樂 (saang1 jat6 faai3 lok6). The birthday song uses the same words, sung to the familiar tune.

What do you wish an older person on their birthday?

長命百歲 (coeng4 ming6 baak3 seoi3), may you live to a hundred, and 身體健康 (san1 tai2 gin6 hong1), good health.

How do you say present in Cantonese?

禮物 (lai5 mat6). A small gift brought back from a trip has its own word: 手信 (sau2 seon3).

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