Birthdays are special occasions that bring joy and a sense of togetherness. In many cultures, wishing someone a happy birthday is a cherished tradition, and Armenia is no exception. If you are an English speaker learning Armenian or simply interested in enriching your vocabulary with creative birthday wishes, this article will guide you through various ways to wish someone a happy birthday in Armenian. Whether you’re looking for formal, informal, or poetic expressions, you’ll find a range of options to make someone’s special day even more memorable.
Basic Birthday Wishes
Let’s start with the basics. The most straightforward way to say “Happy Birthday” in Armenian is:
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ (Shnorhavor tsnundd)
This phrase is universally understood and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, depending on the relationship you have with the birthday person, you might want to add a bit more flair to your wishes.
Formal Birthday Wishes
For formal birthday greetings, especially when addressing elders, colleagues, or people you don’t know very well, you might want to use more respectful language. Here are some examples:
Մաղթում եմ Ձեզ երջանիկ և առողջ տարեդարձ (Maghtum em Dzez yerjanik yev arogh taretarz) – “I wish you a happy and healthy birthday.”
Թող Ձեր բոլոր երազանքները իրականանան (Togh Dzer bolor yerazanknery irakananan) – “May all your dreams come true.”
Երջանիկ տարեդարձ և հաջողություն Ձեզ (Yerjanik taretarz yev hajoghutyun Dzez) – “Happy birthday and best wishes to you.”
These phrases are more elaborate and show a higher level of respect and consideration for the person you are addressing.
Informal Birthday Wishes
Informal birthday wishes are usually shorter and more casual. They are perfect for friends, close family members, or peers. Here are some examples:
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձ (Shnorhavor taretarz) – “Happy birthday.”
Ծնունդդ շնորհավոր (Tsnundd shnorhavor) – “Happy birthday” (another common variation).
Թող քո օրը լինի հրաշալի (Togh qo ory lini hrashali) – “May your day be wonderful.”
Շատ ուրախություն և սեր քեզ (Shat urakhutyun yev ser qez) – “Lots of joy and love to you.”
These wishes are more relaxed and friendly, making them perfect for those you are close to.
Adding Personal Touches
Sometimes, a basic birthday wish isn’t enough, and you want to add a personal touch to make your message more meaningful. Here are some ways to do that:
Including the Person’s Name
Adding the person’s name to your birthday wish can make it feel more personal. Here’s how you can do it:
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, Անի (Shnorhavor tsnundd, Ani) – “Happy birthday, Ani.”
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձդ, Արամ (Shnorhavor taretarzd, Aram) – “Happy birthday, Aram.”
This simple addition can make the birthday message feel more intimate and special.
Expressing Your Relationship
Another way to personalize your birthday wishes is to mention your relationship with the birthday person. Here are some examples:
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, իմ լավագույն ընկեր (Shnorhavor tsnundd, im lavaguyn ynker) – “Happy birthday, my best friend.”
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձդ, իմ սիրելի քույր (Shnorhavor taretarzd, im sireli quyr) – “Happy birthday, my dear sister.”
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, իմ սրտի սեր (Shnorhavor tsnundd, im srti ser) – “Happy birthday, my heart’s love.”
By expressing your relationship, you add an extra layer of warmth and affection to your birthday wish.
Poetic and Creative Birthday Wishes
If you’re looking to go beyond the basics and truly impress someone with your Armenian skills, consider using poetic and creative birthday wishes. Here are some examples:
Թող այս օրը լինի լցված սերով և ուրախությամբ (Togh ays ory lini ltsvats serov yev urakhutyamb) – “May this day be filled with love and joy.”
Թող քո կյանքը լինի լի երջանկությամբ և հաջողությամբ (Togh qo kyanky lini li yerjankutyamb yev hajoghutyamb) – “May your life be full of happiness and success.”
Թող ամեն նոր տարի բերի նոր հաջողություններ և նոր հույսեր (Togh amen nor tari beri nor hajoghutyunner yev nor huyser) – “May each new year bring new successes and new hopes.”
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձ, թող քո բոլոր երազանքները իրականանան (Shnorhavor taretarz, togh qo bolor yerazanknery irakananan) – “Happy birthday, may all your dreams come true.”
These poetic wishes can add a touch of elegance and depth to your birthday greetings.
Using Proverbs and Sayings
In Armenian culture, proverbs and sayings are often used to convey wisdom and good wishes. Incorporating them into your birthday greetings can add a cultural touch. Here are a few examples:
Հազար տարի ապրես (Hazar tari apres) – “May you live a thousand years.” This is a traditional way of wishing someone a long life.
Թող Աստված օրհնի քեզ (Togh Astvats orhni qez) – “May God bless you.” This is a common blessing used in various contexts, including birthdays.
Թող քո կյանքը լինի ինչպես մեղր (Togh qo kyanky lini inchpes meghr) – “May your life be as sweet as honey.” This saying wishes the person a sweet and pleasant life.
Using proverbs and sayings can make your birthday wishes more profound and culturally rich.
Birthday Wishes for Different Ages
Different age groups might appreciate different kinds of birthday wishes. Here are some tailored wishes for various age groups:
For Children
When wishing children a happy birthday, it’s important to keep the message simple and fun. Here are some examples:
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, փոքրիկ (Shnorhavor tsnundd, pokrik) – “Happy birthday, little one.”
Թող քո օրը լինի լի խաղերով և ուրախությամբ (Togh qo ory lini li khagherov yev urakhutyamb) – “May your day be full of games and joy.”
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձ, քաղցրիկ (Shnorhavor taretarz, kaghtsrik) – “Happy birthday, sweetie.”
For Teenagers
Teenagers might appreciate wishes that are more mature yet still friendly. Here are some examples:
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձ, հաջողություն քո բոլոր գործերում (Shnorhavor taretarz, hajoghutyun qo bolor gorcerum) – “Happy birthday, best of luck in all your endeavors.”
Թող քո բոլոր երազանքները իրականանան (Togh qo bolor yerazanknery irakananan) – “May all your dreams come true.”
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, միշտ մնա նույն հիանալի տղան (Shnorhavor tsnundd, misht mna nuyn hianali tghan) – “Happy birthday, always stay the same wonderful guy.”
For Adults
For adults, you might want to use more sophisticated and heartfelt wishes. Here are some examples:
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձ, թող քո կյանքը լինի լի սերով և հաջողություններով (Shnorhavor taretarz, togh qo kyanky lini li serov yev hajoghutyunnerov) – “Happy birthday, may your life be full of love and success.”
Թող քո օրը լինի ինչպես տոն (Togh qo ory lini inchpes ton) – “May your day be like a celebration.”
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, թող քո բոլոր երազանքները իրականանան (Shnorhavor tsnundd, togh qo bolor yerazanknery irakananan) – “Happy birthday, may all your dreams come true.”
Birthday Wishes in Different Dialects
Armenian has several dialects, and while Eastern Armenian is the official language in Armenia, Western Armenian is also widely spoken, especially in the diaspora. Here are some birthday wishes in both dialects:
Eastern Armenian
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ (Shnorhavor tsnundd) – “Happy birthday.”
Թող քո օրը լինի հրաշալի (Togh qo ory lini hrashali) – “May your day be wonderful.”
Western Armenian
Շնորհաւոր ծնունդդ (Shnorhavor tsnundd) – “Happy birthday.”
Կեցցես ու բարգաւաճես (Kets’tses u bargavaches) – “May you thrive and prosper.”
Using dialect-specific wishes can make your greeting more authentic and culturally resonant.
Combining Armenian with Other Languages
If the birthday person is bilingual or multilingual, you might consider combining Armenian with another language they speak. Here are some examples:
Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ, Happy Birthday! (Shnorhavor tsnundd, Happy Birthday!) – “Happy birthday, Happy Birthday!”
Շնորհավոր տարեդարձ, Feliz Cumpleaños! (Shnorhavor taretarz, Feliz Cumpleaños!) – “Happy birthday, Happy Birthday!”
This can make the greeting more inclusive and show respect for the person’s linguistic background.
Conclusion
Wishing someone a happy birthday in Armenian can be a beautiful and meaningful gesture, especially if you take the time to personalize your message. Whether you’re looking for formal, informal, poetic, or culturally rich expressions, this guide provides a comprehensive range of options to make your birthday wishes special. Remember, the key to a great birthday wish is sincerity. So, choose the words that best express your feelings and make the birthday person feel cherished and appreciated. Happy wishing!
