Most people look forward to celebrating the day they are born. It is most times a season of joy, partying, dancing, and everything in between. If you have a Danish friend, learning to say happy birthday in Danish may just warm their heart. That’s why in this article, we will learn how to say happy birthday in Danish and other related greetings. Let’s get started!
How Do Danes Celebrate Their Birthdays?
While Danes may cherish simplicity in their everyday life, it isn’t when it comes to birthdays. The traditional way of celebrating a birthday in Danish is fun and joyous. Similar to traditions in many countries, birthday celebrations also include gift giving and the singing of the happy birthday song (usually in their native language).
Starting with a kid’s birthday, the parents will wake up the child early and organize a birthday party. A Kagemand, ‘cake man,’ is a cake shaped like a person and is usually baked to mark the celebration filled with fruits and sweets.
For adult birthdays, parties are organized, and close friends and families are invited. Danes believe that you are responsible for the weather on the day of your birthday. So, if there is a sunny and warm day, they pat you on the back and remind you that you are a good person. If not, then you are considered a bad person.
Another thing to note is that Danes strongly favor their flag. For most birthdays in Denmark, a flag is attached to the front of the house to signify that someone is celebrating their birthday. If not, there is a miniature flag on top of the cakes as decorations or around the home.
If you are a young adult of the age 30 and unmarried, then you are called ‘Pepperman’ or ‘Peppermaid,’ and your friends and family will build a giant peppermill in front of your house to commemorate your turning 30.
How To Say Happy Birthday In Danish
Tillykke med fødselsdagen
The most popular phrase for happy birthday in Danish is Tillykke med fødselsdagen, and it is the best phrase to use when Danes are celebrating their birthday in both formal and informal situations. The literal Danish translation for Happy birthday is glædelig fødselsdag, but it is rarely used, rather, Danes stick to Tillykke med fødselsdagen. However, you can use Tillykke med dagen (the shorter and most preferred version) for your close friends.
Birthday Wishes
A Dane’s birthday is not complete without wishes for the birthday celebrant. Here are some Danish birthday wishes you can use to grace the occasion
| English | Danish | Pronunciation |
| Birthday Wishes | De bedste ønskner | |
| I wish you the best in life | Jeg ønsker dig det bedste i livet | |
| Good luck | Held og lykke | |
| Live long and prosper | Lev længe og trives |
Happy Birthday Songs
Another way to know a Dane’s birthday is through birthday songs. There are a lot of happy birthday songs in Danish, but we will be looking at the two most popular birthday songs.
I dag er det [name]s fødselsdag
Hurra, hurra, hurra!
han/hun sikkert sig en gave får
som han/hun har ønsket sig i år
med dejlig chokolade og kager til.
Translation
Today it is (name) birthday
Hurray, hurray, hurray!
He/she will receive a present
that he/she has wished for this year
with lovely chocolate and cakes.
2.
[Name] har fødselsdag
og det har han/hun jo
og det er i dag.
[name] har fødselsdag
og det har han/hun jo i dag.
Og hør nu her, hvordan vi alle spille vil
Og hør nu her, hvordan vi spille vil
Translation
[Name] has birthday
and so he/she has
and it is today.
[name] has birthday
and so he/she has today.
And listen here, how we will all play
And listen here, how we will play
[instrumental imitation]
It’s Your Turn To Say Happy Birthday In Danish!
You’ve learned how to say happy birthday and birthday wishes you can tell your Danish friends during their birthdays in this post, so you have nothing to worry about. But if you are thinking of traveling to Denmark, then we highly recommend that you learn the basic words and phrases for travelers as well. Having an understanding of greetings, transportation, and emergency words can make your stay in Denmark much more enjoyable. So, feel free to check out the Danish blog to find out more.
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