Understanding specific vocabulary and phrases associated with the event is necessary when speaking about or organizing a birthday celebration in Chinese. The most generally used variety of Chinese is Mandarin, and this article will walk you through the key expressions and vocabulary you need to arrange or discuss a birthday celebration in Mandarin Chinese.
Basic Phrases and Vocabulary
Before diving in, let’s familiarize ourselves with some basic birthday-related vocabulary.
- Birthday: 生日 (shēngrì)
- Party: 派对 (pàiduì)
- Celebrate/Celebration: 庆祝 (qìngzhù)
- Cake: 蛋糕 (dàngāo)
- Gift/Present: 礼物 (lǐwù)
- Friends: 朋友 (péngyǒu)
- Family: 家人 (jiārén)
- Balloons: 气球 (qìqiú)
- Decorations: 装饰 (zhuāngshì)
- Invitation: 邀请 (yāoqǐng)
- Birthday Song: 生日歌 (shēngrì gē)
- Candle: 蜡烛 (làzhú)
Essential phrases
Invitations
I want to invite you to my birthday party. – 我想邀请你来我的生日派对。(Wǒ xiǎng yāoqǐng nǐ lái wǒ de shēngrì pàiduì.)
The party will be at my house. – 派对将在我家举行。(Pàiduì jiāng zài wǒjiā jǔxíng.)
The party will start at 7 pm. – 派对将在晚上7点开始。(Pàiduì jiāng zài wǎnshàng 7 diǎn kāishǐ.)
During the Party
Happy birthday! – 生日快乐!(Shēngrì kuàilè!)
The cake is delicious. – 蛋糕很好吃。(Dàngāo hěn hǎochī.)
Let’s sing the birthday song. – 我们来唱生日歌。(Wǒmen lái chàng shēngrì gē.)
After the Party
Thank you for coming to my party. – 谢谢你来参加我的派对。(Xièxiè nǐ lái cānjiā wǒ de pàiduì.)
I hope you had a great time. – 希望你玩得开心。(Xīwàng nǐ wán de kāixīn.)
Let’s meet again soon. – 我们很快再见。(Wǒmen hěn kuài zàijiàn.)
Conclusion
Applying your language abilities pleasantly and helpfully is talking about a birthday party in Chinese. To master Chinese—or any language—remember that practice is the key. These words and phrases will make it easier to interact with people during birthday parties, whether you’re throwing one or attending one. Happy organizing and revelry!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the traditional way to celebrate a birthday in China?
In China, people often celebrate birthdays with a meal among family members. For older people, eating longevity noodles is a common tradition, symbolizing a long and healthy life. A big party with cake and gifts is also ordinary for kids, similar to Western-style birthday celebrations.
How do I ask “when is your birthday” in Chinese?
You can ask “你的生日是什么时候?” (Nǐ de shēngrì shì shénme shíhou?) to inquire about someone’s birthday.
How do I ask someone their age in Chinese?
The phrase “你多大了?” (Nǐ duō dàle?) is used to ask someone’s age in Chinese. However, remember that asking directly about age may be considered rude or overly personal in specific contexts.
What’s a typical birthday gift in China?
Typical birthday gifts in China can range from red envelopes (usually money), to clothes, books, or toys for children. The nature of the gift often depends on the age and preferences of the recipient.
What are some good wishes to say at a birthday party in Chinese?
Besides saying “Happy Birthday” or “生日快乐” (shēngrì kuàilè), you can also wish someone “身体健康” (shēntǐ jiànkāng) which means “good health”, or “万事如意” (wànshì rúyì), which means “may all your wishes come true”.
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