Finding the right words in Nepali takes a minute, especially if you type in English letters. Below are birthday wishes for every relationship, written in Romanized Nepali, in Devanagari, and translated into English so you know exactly what you are sending.
Copy any of them and paste straight into a message.
How do you say happy birthday in Nepali?
The standard phrase is:
Janmadin ko shubhakamana जन्मदिनको शुभकामना Happy birthday
A few variations you will hear:
| Nepali (Romanized) | Devanagari | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Janmadin ko shubhakamana | जन्मदिनको शुभकामना | Happy birthday (most common) |
| Shubha janmadin | शुभ जन्मदिन | Happy birthday (shorter, formal) |
| Janmotsav ko shubhakamana | जन्मोत्सवको शुभकामना | Happy birthday (more formal) |
| Janmadin ko dherai dherai shubhakamana | जन्मदिनको धेरै धेरै शुभकामना | Many many happy returns |
| Suswasthya ra dirghayu ko kamana | सुस्वास्थ्य र दीर्घायुको कामना | Wishing you good health and long life |
That last one is the traditional blessing. Elders say it to younger people, and it is what you add when you want a wish to sound sincere rather than casual.
How do you wish a happy birthday in Sanskrit?
For a more formal, traditional blessing — the kind used in a puja, or written to someone older and more traditionally minded — Sanskrit is the register to use instead of Nepali:
Dirghayurarogyamastu. Vijayi bhava sarvatra sarvada. दीर्घायुरारोग्यमस्तु। विजयी भव सर्वत्र सर्वदा। May you have long life and good health. May you be victorious, everywhere and always.
It is the same spirit as suswasthya ra dirghayu ko kamana above, just in the older liturgical language rather than everyday Nepali — appropriate on a formal card, or when the occasion calls for something more ceremonial than a text message.
Birthday wishes for parents
For your mother (Aama)
Aama, tapailai janmadin ko dherai dherai shubhakamana. Mero jiwan ma tapai jasto mahatwa aru kasaiko chhaina. आमा, तपाईंलाई जन्मदिनको धेरै धेरै शुभकामना। मेरो जीवनमा तपाईंको जस्तो महत्व अरू कसैको छैन। Happy birthday, mother. Nobody matters as much as you do in my life.
Sansar ki sabaibhanda ramri aama lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Tapaiko maya nai mero sabaibhanda thulo sampatti ho. संसारकी सबैभन्दा राम्री आमालाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। तपाईंको माया नै मेरो सबैभन्दा ठूलो सम्पत्ति हो। Happy birthday to the best mother in the world. Your love is my greatest wealth.
Aama, hajurko aashirbad le nai ma yaha samma aaipugeko hu. Janmadin ko shubhakamana ra dirghayu ko kamana. आमा, हजुरको आशीर्वादले नै म यहाँसम्म आइपुगेको हुँ। जन्मदिनको शुभकामना र दीर्घायुको कामना। Mother, it is your blessing that brought me this far. Happy birthday and a long life to you.
For your father (Buba)
Janmadin ko shubhakamana buba. Tapai mero prerana hunuhunchha. Suswasthya ra dirghayu ko kamana gardachhu. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना बुबा। तपाईं मेरो प्रेरणा हुनुहुन्छ। सुस्वास्थ्य र दीर्घायुको कामना गर्दछु। Happy birthday father. You are my inspiration. I wish you good health and a long life.
Buba, tapaile sikaunubhayeko kura harek din kaam lagchha. Janmadin ko hardik shubhakamana. बुबा, तपाईंले सिकाउनुभएको कुरा हरेक दिन काम लाग्छ। जन्मदिनको हार्दिक शुभकामना। Father, what you taught me is useful every single day. Warmest birthday wishes.
Mero pahilo hero, mero buba lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Sadhai swastha ra khusi rahanuhos. मेरो पहिलो हिरो, मेरो बुबालाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। सधैँ स्वस्थ र खुसी रहनुहोस्। Happy birthday to my first hero, my father. Stay healthy and happy always.
Birthday wishes for brothers and sisters
Elder brother (Dai or Daju)
Janmadin ko shubhakamana dai. Malai sadhai yasari nai bato dekhaudai garnuhola. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना दाइ। मलाई सधैँ यसरी नै बाटो देखाउँदै गर्नुहोला। Happy birthday brother. Keep showing me the way like this always.
Dai, tapai mero thulo dai matra hoina, sabaibhanda thulo support pani hunuhunchha. Shubha janmadin! दाइ, तपाईं मेरो ठूलो दाइ मात्र होइन, सबैभन्दा ठूलो सपोर्ट पनि हुनुहुन्छ। शुभ जन्मदिन! Brother, you are not just my elder brother, you are my biggest support. Happy birthday!
Younger brother (Bhai)
Mero pyaro bhai lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Timra sabai sapana pura hun. मेरो प्यारो भाइलाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। तिम्रा सबै सपना पूरा हुन्। Happy birthday to my dear younger brother. May all your dreams come true.
Janmadin ko shubhakamana bhai. Jhagada garne sathi timi nai, maya garne pani timi nai. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना भाइ। झगडा गर्ने साथी तिमी नै, माया गर्ने पनि तिमी नै। Happy birthday brother. You are the one I fight with and the one I love most.
Elder sister (Didi)
Janmadin ko shubhakamana didi. Tapai mero ghar ko matra hoina, man ko pani sabaibhanda milne sathi hunuhunchha. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना दिदी। तपाईं मेरो घरको मात्र होइन, मनको पनि सबैभन्दा मिल्ने साथी हुनुहुन्छ। Happy birthday sister. You are not just family, you are my closest friend.
Didi, tapaile garnubhayeko maya ra herchah kahilyai birsina sakdina. Shubha janmadin! दिदी, तपाईंले गर्नुभएको माया र हेरचाह कहिल्यै बिर्सिन सक्दिनँ। शुभ जन्मदिन! Sister, I can never forget your love and care. Happy birthday!
Younger sister (Bahini)
Sani bahini lai janmadin ko anaginti shubhakamana. Sadhai khusi rahanu. सानी बहिनीलाई जन्मदिनको अनगिन्ती शुभकामना। सधैँ खुसी रहनू। Countless birthday wishes to my little sister. Stay happy always.
Janmadin ko shubhakamana bahini. Timro hasilo muhar sadhai yastai rahos. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना बहिनी। तिम्रो हँसिलो मुहार सधैँ यस्तै रहोस्। Happy birthday sister. May your smiling face always stay this way.
Birthday wishes for husband and wife
For your husband
Janmadin ko shubhakamana mero budu. Mero jiwan ma aayera harek din khusi banaidiyekoma dhanyabad. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना मेरो बुडु। मेरो जीवनमा आएर हरेक दिन खुसी बनाइदिएकोमा धन्यवाद। Happy birthday mero budu. Thank you for coming into my life and making every day happy.
Happy birthday hubby! Timi mero jiwansathi matra haina, mero sabaibhanda ramro sathi pani hau. ह्याप्पी बर्थडे हबी! तिमी मेरो जीवनसाथी मात्र होइन, मेरो सबैभन्दा राम्रो साथी पनि हौ। Happy birthday hubby! You are not just my life partner, you are my best friend too.
Mero budu lai janmadin ko maya bhariyeko shubhakamana. Sadhai sathai basaun. मेरो बुडुलाई जन्मदिनको माया भरिएको शुभकामना। सधैँ सँगै बसौँ। Loving birthday wishes to my budu. Let us always stay together.
For your wife
Meri pyari jiwansathi lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Happy birthday wifey! Timro muhar ma sadhai yastai muskan dekhna paun. मेरी प्यारी जीवनसाथीलाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। ह्याप्पी बर्थडे वाइफी! तिम्रो मुहारमा सधैँ यस्तै मुस्कान देख्न पाऊँ। Happy birthday to my beautiful life partner. Happy birthday wifey! May I always see that smile on your face.
Happy birthday wifey. Ghar lai ghar banaune timi nai hau, dhanyabad meri maya. ह्याप्पी बर्थडे वाइफी। घरलाई घर बनाउने तिमी नै हौ, धन्यवाद मेरी माया। Happy birthday wifey. You are the one who makes a house a home. Thank you, my love.
Meri budi lai janmadin ko dherai dherai shubhakamana. Timi sanga bitaeko harek din special chha. मेरी बुडीलाई जन्मदिनको धेरै धेरै शुभकामना। तिमीसँग बिताएको हरेक दिन स्पेसल छ। Many happy returns to my budi. Every day spent with you is special.
Birthday wishes for boyfriend and girlfriend
For your boyfriend
Mero maya lai janmadin ko lakhau shubhakamana. Hamro sath yasari nai rahirahos. मेरो मायालाई जन्मदिनको लाखौँ शुभकामना। हाम्रो साथ यसरी नै रहिरहोस्। A million birthday wishes to my love. May our bond stay just like this.
Janmadin ko shubhakamana. Timi sanga ko harek pal mero lagi sabaibhanda ramro upahar ho. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। तिमीसँगको हरेक पल मेरो लागि सबैभन्दा राम्रो उपहार हो। Happy birthday. Every moment with you is the best gift for me.
For your girlfriend
Janmadin ko shubhakamana meri maya. Mero harek khusi ko karan timi nai hau. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना मेरी माया। मेरो हरेक खुसीको कारण तिमी नै हौ। Happy birthday my love. You are the reason for all my happiness.
Meri pyari lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Timro haso mero sabaibhanda man parne kura ho. मेरी प्यारीलाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। तिम्रो हाँसो मेरो सबैभन्दा मन पर्ने कुरा हो। Happy birthday my dear. Your laugh is my favourite thing.
Birthday wishes for teachers
Male teacher (Sir)
Janmadin ko shubhakamana sir. Malai sahi bato dekhaunubhayekoma dhanyabad. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना सर। मलाई सही बाटो देखाउनुभएकोमा धन्यवाद। Happy birthday sir. Thank you for showing me the right path.
Guru lai janmadin ko hardik shubhakamana. Tapaile diyeko gyan jiwanbhar sathai rahanechha. गुरुलाई जन्मदिनको हार्दिक शुभकामना। तपाईंले दिएको ज्ञान जीवनभर सँगै रहनेछ। Warm birthday wishes to my teacher. The knowledge you gave will stay with me for life.
Female teacher (Madam or Ma’am)
Madam, tapailai janmadin ko dherai shubhakamana. Tapaiko shikshya mero lagi sadhai margadarshan rahanechha. म्याडम, तपाईंलाई जन्मदिनको धेरै शुभकामना। तपाईंको शिक्षा मेरो लागि सधैँ मार्गदर्शन रहनेछ। Happy birthday ma’am. Your teaching will always guide me.
Janmadin ko shubhakamana miss. Padhaunu matra haina, ramro manche banna pani sikaunubhayo. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना मिस। पढाउनु मात्र होइन, राम्रो मान्छे बन्न पनि सिकाउनुभयो। Happy birthday miss. You did not only teach lessons, you taught me to be a good person.
Birthday wishes for work
For a colleague
Janmadin ko shubhakamana. Office ko kaam ra chiya guff timi bina adhuro hunchha. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। अफिसको काम र चिया गफ तिमी बिना अधुरो हुन्छ। Happy birthday. Office work and tea break conversations are incomplete without you.
Janmadin ko shubhakamana. Tapai jasto sathi sahakarmi paunu bhaneko bhagya ho. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। तपाईं जस्तो साथी सहकर्मी पाउनु भनेको भाग्य हो। Happy birthday. Having a colleague like you is good fortune.
For your boss
Janmadin ko shubhakamana sir. Tapaiko netritwa ma kaam garna paunu mero lagi khusi ko kura ho. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना सर। तपाईंको नेतृत्वमा काम गर्न पाउनु मेरो लागि खुसीको कुरा हो। Happy birthday sir. It is a pleasure to work under your leadership.
Janmadin ko hardik shubhakamana ma’am. Tapaile dinu bhayeko margadarshan ko lagi dhanyabad. जन्मदिनको हार्दिक शुभकामना म्याम। तपाईंले दिनुभएको मार्गदर्शनको लागि धन्यवाद। Warmest birthday wishes ma’am. Thank you for your guidance.
Birthday wishes for friends
Janmadin ko shubhakamana mero pyaro sathi. Hamro yaari sadhai yastai rahos. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना मेरो प्यारो साथी। हाम्रो यारी सधैँ यस्तै रहोस्। Happy birthday my dear friend. May our friendship always stay like this.
Happy birthday sathi! Aaja tero din ho, ramro sanga manau. Treat chai tero! ह्याप्पी बर्थडे साथी! आज तेरो दिन हो, राम्रोसँग मनाऊँ। ट्रिट चाहिँ तेरो! Happy birthday friend! Today is your day, let us celebrate. The treat is on you though!
Janmadin ko shubhakamana. Dukha ma sath dine sathi timi nai hau. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। दुःखमा साथ दिने साथी तिमी नै हौ। Happy birthday. You are the friend who stands by me in hard times.
Birthday wishes for grandparents
Grandfather (Hajurbuba)
Hajurbuba lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Hajurko katha ra aashirbad dubai amulya chhan. हजुरबुबालाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। हजुरको कथा र आशीर्वाद दुवै अमूल्य छन्। Happy birthday grandfather. Both your stories and your blessings are priceless.
Grandmother (Hajurama)
Hajurama lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Suswasthya ra dirghayu ko kamana gardachhu. हजुरआमालाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। सुस्वास्थ्य र दीर्घायुको कामना गर्दछु। Happy birthday grandmother. I wish you good health and a long life.
Birthday wishes for son and daughter
Son (Chhora)
Mero pyaro chhora lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Ramro manche bana, thulo manche pachhi banchha. मेरो प्यारो छोरालाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। राम्रो मान्छे बन, ठूलो मान्छे पछि बन्छ। Happy birthday my dear son. Become a good person first, a big person comes later.
Daughter (Chhori)
Meri chhori lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Timi hamro ghar ko ujyalo hau. मेरी छोरीलाई जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। तिमी हाम्रो घरको उज्यालो हौ। Happy birthday my daughter. You are the light of our home.
Birthday wishes for in-laws and extended family
| Relation | Wish |
|---|---|
| Bhauju (elder brother’s wife) | Bhauju lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Didi bhanda kam hunuhunna. |
| Bhinaju (elder sister’s husband) | Bhinaju lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Sadhai yastai hasilo rahanuhos. |
| Sasura (father-in-law) | Sasura buba lai janmadin ko shubhakamana ra dirghayu ko kamana. |
| Sasu (mother-in-law) | Sasu aama lai janmadin ko hardik shubhakamana. |
| Buhari (daughter-in-law) | Buhari lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Timi hamro ghar ki lakshmi hau. |
| Mama (maternal uncle) | Mama lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Sadhai swastha rahanuhos. |
| Kaka (paternal uncle) | Kaka lai janmadin ko dherai dherai shubhakamana. |
| Phupu (paternal aunt) | Phupu lai janmadin ko shubhakamana. Tapaiko maya sadhai pau. |
| Nati or Natini (grandchild) | Mero nati lai janmadin ko aashirbad. Dirghayu bhava. |
Short birthday wishes in Nepali
For a quick text or a status update.
| Nepali | Devanagari | English |
|---|---|---|
| Janmadin ko shubhakamana! | जन्मदिनको शुभकामना! | Happy birthday! |
| Shubha janmadin! | शुभ जन्मदिन! | Happy birthday! |
| Dirghayu bhava | दीर्घायु भव | May you live long |
| Sadhai khusi rahanu | सधैँ खुसी रहनू | Always stay happy |
| Timro din ramro hos | तिम्रो दिन राम्रो होस् | May your day be wonderful |
| Sabai sapana pura hun | सबै सपना पूरा हुन् | May all your dreams come true |
| Aaja ko din timro ho | आजको दिन तिम्रो हो | Today belongs to you |
Funny birthday wishes in Nepali
Janmadin ko shubhakamana! Umer badhyo, budhi kahile badhne ho? जन्मदिनको शुभकामना! उमेर बढ्यो, बुद्धि कहिले बढ्ने हो? Happy birthday! Your age went up, when does the wisdom follow?
Happy birthday! Cake ta katis, ab treat kaha ho? ह्याप्पी बर्थडे! केक त काटिस्, अब ट्रिट कहाँ हो? Happy birthday! You cut the cake, now where is the treat?
Janmadin ko shubhakamana. Aaja samma ko sabai galti maaf, bholi dekhi feri suru. जन्मदिनको शुभकामना। आजसम्मको सबै गल्ती माफ, भोलिदेखि फेरि सुरु। Happy birthday. All your mistakes are forgiven today, we start again tomorrow.
How Nepali birthdays are traditionally celebrated
Cake and candles are common now, but the older customs are still followed in many homes.
Dahi chiura. Yoghurt and beaten rice, eaten on the morning of the birthday. Simple and considered auspicious.
Tika and blessing. Elders place a tika on the forehead, usually red, and give a blessing for long life. This is the moment the phrase dirghayu bhava belongs to.
Sagun. A small offering of food given by elders, often including boiled egg, fish or sweets, depending on the family and community.
Janmadin by the lunar calendar. Many families mark the birthday by the Bikram Sambat date and the lunar tithi rather than the English date, so the celebration moves each year. Some people mark both.
Puja for milestone years. Certain ages carry special ceremonies, and Bhimratharohan at 77 years, 7 months and 7 days is among the best known.
If you are wishing an elder, adding dirghayu ko kamana gardachhu to your message will land better than anything borrowed from English.
More birthday cards to save and share
A few more ready-made cards — more Sanskrit blessings beyond the one above, a handful of English-only wishes, and the short phrases from the table earlier as standalone cards. Save whichever one fits and send it as an image instead of text.
More Sanskrit blessings
Ayushman bhava आयुष्मान् भव May you be blessed with a long life
Shatayur bhava शतायुर्भव May you live a hundred years
Yashaswi bhava, kirtiman bhava यशस्वी भव, कीर्तिमान् भव May you be glorious, may you be renowned
Aayurarogyasaukhyam bhavatu आयुरारोग्यसौख्यं भवतु May long life, health and wellbeing be yours
Sarve bhavantu sukhinah सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः May all beings be happy
Janmadinasya hardikyah shubhakamanah जन्मदिनस्य हार्दिक्यः शुभकामनाः Heartfelt good wishes on your day of birth
English-only wishes
Janmadin ko shubhakamana जन्मदिनको शुभकामना Happy birthday. May this year be kinder than the last, and every candle count for something.
Sadhai khusi rahanu सधैँ खुसी रहनू Wishing you a year of good health, good people and good news.
Timro din ramro hos तिम्रो दिन राम्रो होस् Have the kind of day you will want to remember.
Short wishes, as cards
Janmadin ko shubhakamana! जन्मदिनको शुभकामना! Happy birthday!
Dirghayu bhava दीर्घायु भव May you live long
Sadhai khusi rahanu सधैँ खुसी रहनू Always stay happy
Sabai sapana pura hun सबै सपना पूरा हुन् May all your dreams come true
Frequently asked questions
How do you write happy birthday in Nepali?
In Devanagari it is जन्मदिनको शुभकामना, written as janmadin ko shubhakamana in English letters. A shorter formal version is शुभ जन्मदिन, or shubha janmadin.
What does “janmadin ko shubhakamana” mean?
It translates literally as “good wishes of your birth day”. Janmadin means birthday, and shubhakamana means good wishes or blessings.
How do you wish an elder person a happy birthday in Nepali?
Use tapai rather than timi, and add a health and long life blessing: Janmadin ko shubhakamana. Suswasthya ra dirghayu ko kamana gardachhu.
What is “budu” and “budi”?
They are affectionate, informal words used between spouses, roughly like calling someone “old man” or “old lady” fondly. Mero budu for a husband, meri budi for a wife. Only use them with someone you are close to.
How do you say happy birthday to a wife in Nepali?
Meri pyari jiwansathi lai janmadin ko shubhakamana, meaning happy birthday to my dear life partner. Many people mix languages and simply say “happy birthday wifey”, which is completely normal in Nepal now.
Should I use “timi” or “tapai”?
Use tapai for elders, teachers, in-laws and anyone senior at work. Use timi for friends, siblings your own age or younger, and your partner. Use ta only with very close friends, because it can sound rude otherwise.
Copy whichever wish fits, change the name, and send it. If you want a version for a relationship not listed here, leave a comment and I will add it.