How to Say Happy Birthday in Dutch
Happy birthday in Dutch is gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag, or simply gefeliciteerd. But Dutch birthdays come with rules no textbook warns you about: you congratulate the whole family, you sit in a circle, and there is a song. Here’s the full survival guide.
The basics
One word gets you through any Dutch birthday: gefeliciteerd. It literally means ‘congratulated’ and works for birthdays, new jobs, new babies and passed exams. For birthdays specifically, here are your options.
Saying happy birthday
| Dutch | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Gefeliciteerd! | Congratulations! | always works |
| Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! | Happy birthday! (informal) | friends, family, colleagues |
| Gefeliciteerd met uw verjaardag! | Happy birthday! (formal) | older people you don’t know well |
| Van harte gefeliciteerd! | Heartfelt congratulations! | a warmer version |
| Hartelijk gefeliciteerd! | Warm congratulations! | equally warm, very common |
| Nog vele jaren! | Many more years! | often added after gefeliciteerd |
| Fijne verjaardag! | Have a nice birthday! | casual, also in texts |
| Alsnog gefeliciteerd! | Belated happy birthday! | when you missed the day |
The rule nobody tells you: congratulate everyone
At a Dutch birthday party you don’t just congratulate the birthday person. You walk the whole circle and congratulate every family member with the birthday: gefeliciteerd met je moeder (congratulations on your mother) to the birthday person’s child, gefeliciteerd met je zoon to the parents, and so on. Yes, this feels strange in every other culture. Yes, you have to do it. Three kisses on the cheek for people you know well, a handshake otherwise.
At the party
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Gefeliciteerd met je moeder! | Congratulations on your mother(‘s birthday)! |
| Gefeliciteerd met je vader! | Congratulations on your father(‘s birthday)! |
| Wie is er jarig? | Whose birthday is it? |
| Hoe oud ben je geworden? | How old did you turn? |
| Wil je koffie met gebak? | Would you like coffee with cake? |
| Wat heb je gekregen? | What (presents) did you get? |
| Proost, op jou! | Cheers, to you! |
The song: Lang zal die leven
Every Dutch birthday features the same song, sung loudly and slightly out of tune. Learn it once and you belong: Lang zal die leven, lang zal die leven, lang zal die leven in de gloria. In de gloria, in de gloria! Hieperdepiep, hoera! (Long shall they live, in glory. Hip hip hooray!) The ‘hoera’ comes with arms in the air. Three times.
Writing a birthday card or message
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Lieve Anna, van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! | Dear Anna, heartfelt congratulations on your birthday! |
| Ik wens je een fantastische dag! | I wish you a fantastic day! |
| Geniet van je dag! | Enjoy your day! |
| Op naar de volgende 30 jaar! | On to the next 30 years! |
| Veel liefs, | Lots of love, |
Practice before the party
A Dutch birthday circle is small talk on hard mode: two hours of chatting with strangers over coffee and one slice of cake. These tools get you ready.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in Dutch?
‘Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag’, or simply ‘gefeliciteerd’. For extra warmth: ‘van harte gefeliciteerd’ or ‘hartelijk gefeliciteerd’. In a formal setting, use ‘gefeliciteerd met uw verjaardag’.
Why do the Dutch congratulate the whole family?
It’s a real tradition: at a birthday party you congratulate every family member with the birthday, like ‘gefeliciteerd met je moeder’ to the birthday person’s children. It signals that the celebration belongs to the whole family.
What is the Dutch birthday song?
‘Lang zal die leven’ (long shall they live), ending with ‘Hieperdepiep, hoera!’ where everyone throws an arm in the air. It’s sung at practically every Dutch birthday, for children and adults alike.
How do you say belated happy birthday in Dutch?
‘Alsnog gefeliciteerd!’ works in speech and writing. A fuller version: ‘Alsnog van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag.’
What is a kringverjaardag?
The classic Dutch birthday setup: chairs in a circle in the living room, coffee, one slice of cake, and conversation with whoever sits next to you. Foreigners find it formal; the Dutch find it gezellig.