#25 Asking Questions at the Tourist Office｜French Travel Expressions
Izumi French Garden
#140 Celebrating a Birthday｜French Everyday Phrases
Izumi
When celebrating the birthday of a friend, family member, or colleague, adding a thoughtful remark along with your congratulations helps create warmer and more meaningful communication.
In French, it is important to choose expressions according to your relationship with the other person and the situation.
In this article, I explain commonly used French expressions for celebrating birthdays, together with conversation examples and key grammatical points.
Contents
Dialogue
Joyeux anniversaire ! J’espère que tu passes une excellente journée.
（Happy birthday! I hope you are having a wonderful day.）
Merci beaucoup, c’est très gentil.
（Thank you very much. That’s very kind of you.）
Est-ce que tu as prévu quelque chose de spécial pour ce soir ?
（Have you planned anything special for this evening?）
Oui, je vais dîner avec ma famille.
（Yes, I’m going out to dinner with my family.）
Ça a l’air sympa. Je te souhaite une très belle année à venir.
（That sounds nice. I wish you a wonderful year ahead.）
Merci, ça me touche beaucoup.
（Thank you, that really means a lot to me.）
1. Expressing Birthday Wishes
On someone’s birthday, it is customary to begin with a simple congratulatory phrase.
Example
- Joyeux anniversaire !
（Happy birthday!）
This expression is both polite and friendly, and can be used with a wide range of people, including friends, colleagues, and family members.
In French, it is also common to follow this with a considerate remark.
Example
- J’espère que tu passes une excellente journée.
（I hope you are having a wonderful day.）
The expression “j’espère que …” is used to express a hope or wish, while “passer une journée” means “to spend a day.”
2. Asking About Birthday Plans
After offering your congratulations, you can ask how the person plans to spend their birthday.
Example
- Est-ce que tu as prévu quelque chose de spécial ?
（Have you planned anything special?）
The key point here is the intentionally vague phrase “quelque chose de spécial” (“something special”).
By keeping the question open-ended, you allow the other person to respond freely, whether they are having a meal, attending a party, or spending time with family.
3. Responding to the Other Person’s Plans
Once the other person shares their plans, it is polite to respond with a brief reaction.
Examples
- Ça a l’air sympa.
（That sounds nice.） - C’est une bonne idée.
（That’s a good idea.）
Even short, positive reactions help show interest and respect for how the other person chooses to celebrate their birthday, and they contribute to a relaxed and friendly conversation.
4. Ending the Conversation with Another Birthday Wish
To conclude the conversation, adding one more message of congratulations leaves a lasting impression.
Examples
- Je te souhaite une très belle année à venir.
（I wish you a wonderful year ahead.）
By adding “à venir” (ahead / to come), the phrase emphasizes well wishes for the future.
Summary
Grammar Points
- Joyeux anniversaire !
→ A basic expression for celebrating someone’s birthday. - J’espère que tu passes une excellente journée.
→ A natural and thoughtful remark showing consideration. - Est-ce que tu as prévu quelque chose de spécial ?
→ A question that asks about birthday plans and encourages conversation. - Ça a l’air sympa / C’est une bonne idée.
→ Useful expressions for responding positively. - Je te souhaite une très belle année à venir.
→ A phrase used to wish happiness and success in the year ahead.
