Back in 2017, I remember standing outside my friend's house in Punjab, my heart racing with excitement like a dhol drum at a wedding. Why? I'd just flown halfway across the world to surprise her on her birthday! But I had another ace up my sleeve - I'd learned to say "Happy Birthday in Punjabi."
As she opens the door, her jaw drops. Not only am I there unexpectedly, but I manage to fumble through a birthday greeting in her native tongue. The look on her face? Priceless!
That experience taught me something powerful: speaking someone's language, even just a phrase, can turn a special day into an unforgettable memory. Sure, you may butcher the pronunciation like I did, but it's always the thought that counts!
That's why in today's post, I'll walk you through the best Punjabi words and phrases to make birthday celebrations extra special!
Sidenote: This post is the latest in our "Happy Birthday" series, where we explore the best ways to wish someone a wonderful birthday in different languages. You can read more here:
How To Say Happy Birthday In Punjabi?
To say "Happy Birthday" in Punjabi, use the phrase: ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ (Janamdin Mubarakan). Basically, "Janamdin" means "birthday" (literally "birth day"), and "Mubarakan" means "congratulations" or "blessings."
In Punjabi culture, birthdays are typically celebrated with family and friends. The birthday person may receive gifts, cards, or special treats. Celebrations often include a party or gathering to mark the occasion.
Interestingly, the use of "mubaarak" (blessings) rather than a direct translation of "happy" reflects the cultural emphasis on bestowing good wishes and blessings on the birthday person, adding a deeper, more meaningful touch to the greeting.
Other Ways To Say Happy Birthday In Punjabi
While "Janamdin Mubarakan" is the most common phrase, there are several other ways to express birthday wishes in Punjabi. And as promised, I rounded up the other lovely Punjabi birthday expressions you can add to your card, to a social media post, and more!
- ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (Janam din diyan vadhaiyan) - Birthday congratulations
- ਸਾਲਗਿਰਹ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ (Saalgirah mubaarak) - Happy anniversary (also used for birthdays)
- ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (Janamdin diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyaan) - Hundreds of thousands of birthday wishes
- ਤੇਰਾ ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ (Tera janamdin mubaarak hove) - May your birthday be blessed
- ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਭਰਿਆ ਜਨਮਦਿਨ (Khushiyan bharia janamdin) - Joy-filled birthday
As you can see, each of these Punjabi-style phrases adds a unique touch to your birthday wishes. The choice of phrase can depend on your relationship with the birthday person and the level of formality you want to convey.
Happy Birthday Wishes In Punjabi
After saying "Janamdin Mubarakan," you can add more specific wishes. Here's the shortest and simplest form you can use, with interchangeable parts:
ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਈ <wish> ਦੀ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ/ਕਰਦੀ ਹਾਂ। (Main tuhaade laee <wish> di kaamna kardaa/kardi haan.)
In this sentence structure, you just have to remember that it literally translates to "I wish you <wish>." You simply have to replace <wish> with any of the following:
- ਚੰਗੀ ਸਿਹਤ (changi sehat) - good health
- ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ (lammi umar) - long life
- ਵਧੀਆ ਕੈਰੀਅਰ (vadhiya career) - great career
- ਖੁਸ਼ਹਾਲੀ (khushaali) - prosperity
- ਸਫਲਤਾ (safalta) - success
- ਖੁਸ਼ੀ (khushi) - happiness
- ਪਿਆਰ (pyaar) - love
- ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ (shaanti) - peace
- ਤਰੱਕੀ (tarakki) - progress
- ਖੁਸ਼ਕਿਸਮਤੀ (khushkismati) - good fortune
For example:
- "ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਚੰਗੀ ਸਿਹਤ ਦੀ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।" (Main tuhaade laee changi sehat di kaamna kardaa haan.) - "I wish you good health."
- "ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਵਧੀਆ ਕੈਰੀਅਰ ਦੀ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਕਰਦੀ ਹਾਂ।" (Main tuhaade laee vadhiya career di kaamna kardi haan.) - "I wish you a great career."
Just one thing you need to remember in this native language is that you need to use "kardaa" if you're male and "kardi" if you're female. Also, you can combine multiple wishes by joining them with "ਅਤੇ" (ate), which means "and":
"ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਚੰਗੀ ਸਿਹਤ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੀ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ/ਕਰਦੀ ਹਾਂ।" (Main tuhaade laee changi sehat ate khushi di kaamna kardaa/kardi haan.)
This one literally means: "I wish you good health and happiness."
Happy Birthday Song In Punjabi
While many Punjabi speakers use the English "Happy Birthday" song, there's also a popular Punjabi version. Here's how to sing "Happy Birthday" in Punjabi:
ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ (Janamdin mubaarak hove tuhaanu)
ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ (Janamdin mubaarak hove tuhaanu)
ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ [Name] (Janamdin mubaarak hove pyaare [Name])
ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ (Janamdin mubaarak hove tuhaanu)
Singing Tips:
- The melody is the same as the English version, so you can use that familiar tune.
- Replace [Name] with the birthday person's name.
- "Pyaare" means "dear" and can be used for both genders. For a more formal tone, you can replace it with "ਜੀ" (ji) after the name.
In Punjab, it's common to sing this song while presenting a cake with lit candles. After the song, everyone cheers "ਜ਼ੋਰ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲੋ!" (zor naal bolo), which means "Say it loudly!" Then everyone shouts "ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ!" (Janamdin Mubaarak) together.
Birthday-Related Words In Punjabi Language
Learning birthday greetings in Punjabi is a great start, but to truly immerse yourself in the celebration, it's helpful to know some related vocabulary. Trust me...understanding these words will not only make the celebration more special but also help you navigate Punjabi birthday customs with ease.
| English | Punjabi Script | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Birthday | ਜਨਮਦਿਨ | Janamdin |
| Cake | ਕੇਕ | Kek |
| Candle | ਮੋਮਬੱਤੀ | Mombatti |
| Gift | ਤੋਹਫਾ | Tohfa |
| Party | ਪਾਰਟੀ | Party |
| Celebration | ਜਸ਼ਨ | Jashan |
| Wish | ਕਾਮਨਾ | Kaamna |
| Blessing | ਅਸੀਸ | Asees |
| Surprise | ਹੈਰਾਨੀ | Hairaani |
| Happiness | ਖੁਸ਼ੀ | Khushi |
| Song | ਗਾਣਾ | Gaana |
| Dance | ਨਾਚ | Naach |
| Friends | ਦੋਸਤ | Dost |
| Family | ਪਰਿਵਾਰ | Parivaar |
| Decoration | ਸਜਾਵਟ | Sajaavat |
| Invitation | ਸੱਦਾ | Sadda |
By familiarizing yourself with these words, you'll be able to participate more fully in Punjabi birthday celebrations. Plus, you might hear these words in conversations, songs, or see them on invitations and decorations!
Celebrating Birthdays in Punjabi Culture
As someone who's been lucky enough to celebrate birthdays in Punjab, let me take you through the vibrant whirlwind that is a Punjabi birthday celebration. Trust me, it's an experience you won't forget!
Morning Rituals
- The day often starts with the birthday person receiving blessings from elders.
- Some families visit a Gurudwara (Sikh temple) for prayers and to seek blessings.
Cake Cutting
- Like in many cultures, cutting a cake is a central part of the celebration.
- Family members often feed cake to the birthday person as a sign of affection.
Langar/Feast
- Many Punjabis organize a langar (community meal) or a feast for family and friends.
- Traditional Punjabi dishes like chole bhature, sarson da saag, and sweet lassi are common.
Gift-Giving
- Presents are given, often accompanied by cards or shagun (money in envelopes).
- Elders may give blessings along with gifts.
Music/Dance
- No Punjabi celebration is complete without bhangra or giddha (traditional dance forms).
- Popular Punjabi songs are played, and everyone joins in the dancing.
Mehndi Application
- For girls' birthdays, applying mehndi (henna) designs can be a fun group activity.
Remember, while these are common practices, celebrations can vary based on family traditions, religious beliefs, and personal preferences. The core of any Punjabi birthday celebration is the warmth of family and friends coming together to express love and good wishes for the birthday person.
Greet In Different Languages With Lingopie
While we've explored the joyous world of Punjabi birthday celebrations, why stop there? Imagine surprising your friends by saying "Happy Birthday" in French, Italian, or Japanese! Although Lingopie doesn't currently offer Punjabi, it's an excellent platform with advanced features for learning a variety of foreign languages.
With Lingopie, you can dive into languages like:
- Spanish: Saying "¡Feliz cumpleaños!" while watching Roma
- Italian: Learning "Buon compleanno!" while watching Italian cooking shows
- Japanese: Greeting "お誕生日おめでとう" (Otanjōbi omedetō) while watching anime
- French: Messaging someone with "Joyeux anniversaire!" after learning it from kids cartoons
- German: Emailing a friend with "Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!" after watching German movies
So why not give Lingopie a try today? Whether you're planning a trip abroad, wanting to connect with international friends, or simply love learning, Lingopie can help you on your language journey. Who knows? By your next birthday, you might be celebrating in multiple languages!
