bon anniversaire
To say happy birthday in French, say bon anniversaire or joyeux anniversaire. Both are correct and both are common. Bon anniversaire is the everyday one you'll shout across a party. Joyeux anniversaire is a little more festive, and it's the one in the birthday song. Add a name and you're done.
Where you'll hear it
Charlotte
Éva ! Bon anniversaire !... Waouh, il y a des ballons partout, c'est super joli !
Éva! Happy birthday to you! Wow, there are balloons everywhere, it's really pretty!
Éva
Merci, Charlotte ! Je suis tellement contente que tu sois là. Tu sais, je suis au max du max avec tous les préparatifs, mais je pense que tout est prêt maintenant.
Thank you, Charlotte! I'm so glad you're here. You know, I'm at my wits' end with all the preparations, but I think everything's ready now.
Charlotte
Ça a l'air génial. Tu as vraiment tout prévu à la perfection. Et devinez quoi ? J'ai ramené un petit quelque chose pour toi.
It looks great. You've really planned everything to perfection. And guess what? I've brought a little something for you.
Listen: bon anniversaire
How it shows up
Bon anniversaire, Marie ! On trinque à toi !
Happy birthday, Marie! Here's to you!
Joyeux anniversaire, mon chéri !
Happy birthday, darling!
Je te souhaite un très bon anniversaire.
I wish you a very happy birthday.
Questions people ask
Is it bon anniversaire or joyeux anniversaire?
Both. Bon anniversaire is a little more everyday, joyeux anniversaire a little more festive. In a card or a text, either works. If you're singing, it's joyeux anniversaire.
Does anniversaire mean anniversary?
It means both. For a wedding anniversary, say anniversaire de mariage. On its own, anniversaire nearly always means birthday.