say happy birthday

Meaning

This phrase means to congratulate someone on the anniversary of their birth. It can be done in person, over the phone, or by writing a message on social media or in a card.

Examples

• Don't forget to say happy birthday to your sister when you see her today.

  Don't forget to say happy birthday to your sister when you see her today.

• I called him just to say happy birthday and catch up.

  I called him just to say happy birthday and catch up.

• Did you say happy birthday to Sarah on her Facebook page?

  Did you say happy birthday to Sarah on her Facebook page?

• I want to say happy birthday to my best friend with a nice card.

  I want to say happy birthday to my best friend with a nice card.

• It's always nice when people remember to say happy birthday to you.

  It's always nice when people remember to say happy birthday to you.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to congratulate her happy birthday.

  ✓ I want to say happy birthday to her.

  In English, we do not 'congratulate' someone a happy birthday. We 'say happy birthday to' them or 'wish them a happy birthday'.

• ✗ He said me happy birthday.

  ✓ He said happy birthday to me.

  The verb 'say' requires the preposition 'to' before the indirect object (the person receiving the message).

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to call my mom and ___ to her.

  💡 Wish her well on her special day.

  Show answer

  say happy birthday

• Did you ___ to Jack yesterday?

  💡 Congratulate Jack on turning a year older.

  Show answer

  say happy birthday