January 29, 2025by Alexandre Harzo

How to Say Happy Birthday in Croatian: 13 Fun and Meaningful Ways

In this comprehensive guide, you will discover 13 fun and meaningful ways to say "Happy Birthday" in Croatian, adding a personal touch to your celebrations.

How to Say Happy Birthday in Croatian: 13 Fun and Meaningful Ways

Wishing someone a Happy Birthday in Croatian is more than just a simple greeting—it’s a chance to express kindness, joy, and (obviously) celebration. Whether you're celebrating with close friends, family, or colleagues, knowing the right phrase to use can help you connect with the local culture and make the occasion even more special.

Why Learn to Say Happy Birthday in Croatian?

In Croatia, birthdays are a meaningful occasion, often celebrated with family gatherings, parties, and heartfelt toasts. While the standard greeting “Sretan rođendan” (Happy Birthday) is widely used, there are many other ways to wish someone well depending on the context and your relationship with the birthday person. Whether you want to keep it formal or add a personal touch, knowing these different expressions will help you stand out and make your birthday wishes memorable.

To help you celebrate like a local, we’ve put together this in-depth guide with 13 popular and meaningful ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Croatian.

13 Ways to Say “Happy Birthday” in Croatian

Here’s a list of 13 Croatian phrases you can use to wish someone a Happy Birthday, along with their English translations and when to use them:

Croatian PhraseEnglish TranslationUse Case
Sretan rođendanHappy BirthdayUniversal: formal/informal
Čestit rođendanCongratulations on your birthdayFormal, polite wishes
Sretan ti rođendanHappy Birthday to youInformal, friendly
Sretan rođendan, puno srećeHappy Birthday, lots of happinessCasual, well-wishing
Najsretniji rođendan!The happiest birthday!Enthusiastic, joyful
Rođendan sretanBirthday happyA twist on the standard greeting
Sretan ti dan rođenjaHappy day of your birthFormal, slightly poetic
Svako dobro na tvoj rođendanAll the best for your birthdayFriendly, casual
Živio rođendan!Cheers to your birthday!Informal, celebratory toast
Čestitke na rođendanu!Congratulations on your birthday!Formal, respectful
Da ti bude svaki dan kao tvoj rođendanMay every day be like your birthdayHeartfelt, wishing joy all year long
Rođendan ti bio čarobanMay your birthday be magicalPoetic, romantic
Rođendan ti bio ispunjen ljubavljuMay your birthday be filled with loveSentimental, warm

How to use different forms of ‘Happy Birthday’ in Croatian

Below are the translations of the phrases above, along with the correct way to pronounce them.

Sretan rođendan (Happy Birthday)

"Sretan rođendan" is the classic and most common way to say "Happy Birthday" in Croatian. It’s a simple, straightforward greeting that conveys your best wishes for the birthday person. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, making it the go-to expression for birthday celebrations across the country.

You’ll hear this phrase in birthday cards, speeches, and when offering congratulations to anyone on their special day. It’s perfect when you’re not sure what else to say but want to make sure the message is heartfelt.

To pronounce it correctly, say “sreh-tan roh-jden-dahn.”

Čestit rođendan (Congratulations on your birthday)

"Čestit rođendan" is a more formal variation of "Happy Birthday" and is often used in polite or respectful settings. The word "čestit" translates to “congratulations” and adds a layer of formality, making it ideal for professional environments or when addressing someone you don’t know as well.

If you're attending a more formal birthday celebration or congratulating someone older or in a higher position, this phrase will show that you respect them and wish them well on their special day.

To pronounce it correctly, say “cheh-steet roh-jden-dahn.”

Sretan ti rođendan (Happy Birthday to you)

"Sretan ti rođendan" is a friendly and warm way to wish someone a happy birthday. This phrase translates to "Happy Birthday to you" and is typically used in casual, informal settings. It’s often said to close friends, family members, or people you’re on familiar terms with.

This version of the greeting emphasizes a more personal connection, letting the birthday person know that the wishes are meant especially for them. It’s the perfect expression to use at a small family gathering or while toasting with friends.

Pronounciation is: “sreh-tan tee roh-jden-dahn.”

Sretan rođendan, puno sreće (Happy Birthday, lots of happiness)

"Sretan rođendan, puno sreće" is a heartfelt birthday greeting that goes beyond just wishing someone a happy birthday. It translates to "Happy Birthday, lots of happiness" and is often used to convey your desire for the birthday person to have a joyful and prosperous year ahead.

This expression can be used in both casual and formal settings, and it adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to the standard birthday wish. It’s especially nice if you want to show someone that you’re wishing them not only a great birthday but also ongoing happiness and success.

To pronounce it correctly, say “sreh-tan roh-jden-dahn, poo-noh sreh-cheh.”

Najsretniji rođendan! (The happiest birthday!)

"Najsretniji rođendan!" is an enthusiastic and joyful way to wish someone the happiest of birthdays. It literally means "The happiest birthday!" and is a wonderful option when you want to express extra excitement for the birthday person. This phrase is often used in close, informal settings, such as with friends or family members you feel particularly close to.

It's a great choice when you want to make the birthday greeting feel more lively and fun, showing that you’re genuinely excited for the person's special day. Perfect for a birthday party or celebratory toast.

To pronounce it correctly, say “nigh-sreh-tee-nee roh-jden-dahn.”

Rođendan sretan (Birthday happy)

"Rođendan sretan" is a playful twist on the usual greeting, translating to “Birthday happy” instead of the more standard “Happy Birthday.” This phrase has a more casual, upbeat vibe and is often used among younger people or in informal settings. It’s a fun variation when you want to mix things up and add some personality to the birthday wishes.

You might hear this version at a birthday gathering with friends or during a more relaxed celebration. It’s simple, but it adds a little extra flair to the occasion.

To pronounce it correctly, say “roh-jden-dahn sreh-tan.”

Sretan ti dan rođenja (Happy day of your birth)

"Sretan ti dan rođenja" translates to "Happy day of your birth" and is a more formal or poetic way to wish someone a happy birthday. While it’s not as commonly used in casual settings, it’s a lovely option for formal birthday cards, speeches, or when you want to sound a bit more thoughtful and elegant.

This phrase can be used in professional or respectful contexts, such as at a workplace or when addressing someone you want to show extra reverence for. It’s a refined way to wish someone joy on their special day.

If you want to pronounce it correctly, say “sreh-tan tee dahn roh-jen-yah.”

Svako dobro na tvoj rođendan (All the best for your birthday)

"Svako dobro na tvoj rođendan" means "All the best for your birthday," and it’s a warm, generous way to express your well wishes. It’s perfect when you want to wish someone a wonderful year ahead, not just a happy birthday. This phrase is often used by family and friends who want to send their best wishes for the birthday person’s health, happiness, and success.

It’s commonly used in both informal and slightly formal settings, making it versatile and suitable for a wide range of birthday celebrations.

If you want to pronounce it correctly, say “svah-koh doh-broh nah tvoy roh-jden-dahn.”

Živio rođendan! (Cheers to your birthday!)

"Živio rođendan!" is a cheerful and celebratory way to wish someone a happy birthday while also raising a glass in their honor. It literally translates to "Cheers to your birthday!" and is used in informal settings where toasting is involved, like at parties or casual gatherings. This phrase is perfect for when you're lifting your glass to toast someone's special day.

It’s a fun way to celebrate with friends, and it emphasizes the joyful, festive spirit of a birthday celebration. Use this phrase when you want to make the occasion feel more festive and social.

To pronounce it correctly, say “zhee-vee-oh roh-jden-dahn.”

Čestitke na rođendanu! (Congratulations on your birthday!)

"Čestitke na rođendanu!" means "Congratulations on your birthday!" and is used when you want to offer your formal congratulations. It's a respectful, polite greeting often used in more official settings, such as at a workplace or with people you don’t know personally.

Though it’s more formal than other birthday phrases, it still conveys warm and genuine wishes. It’s a perfect phrase for a professional setting, a business colleague, or anyone you may not be as close with but still want to acknowledge on their birthday.

If you want to pronounce it correctly, say “cheh-steet-keh nah roh-jden-dahn-oo.”

Da ti bude svaki dan kao tvoj rođendan (May every day be like your birthday)

"Da ti bude svaki dan kao tvoj rođendan" translates to "May every day be like your birthday" and is an exceptionally warm and heartfelt birthday wish. It expresses the hope that the birthday person will experience the same joy, love, and celebration that they feel on their special day, every day of the year.

This phrase is perfect for close friends and family, especially when you want to go beyond just the standard birthday wish and wish them a year full of happiness and fulfillment. It’s a bit poetic, making it ideal for heartfelt cards or speeches.

The correct way to pronounce it is: “dah tee boo-deh svah-kee dahn kah-oh tvoy roh-jden-dahn.”

Rođendan ti bio čaroban (May your birthday be magical)

"Rođendan ti bio čaroban" means "May your birthday be magical" and is used when you want to wish someone a truly special and unforgettable birthday. It conveys the desire that the birthday person’s day will be filled with wonder, joy, and enchantment. This phrase is often used in more emotional or sentimental situations.

It’s a great choice for romantic relationships, close friendships, or when you want to send someone a wish that’s both loving and heartfelt. Use this expression if you want to make the birthday person feel truly cherished and special.

The correct way to pronounce it is: “roh-jden-dahn tee bee-oh chah-roh-bahn.”

Rođendan ti bio ispunjen ljubavlju (May your birthday be filled with love)

"Rođendan ti bio ispunjen ljubavlju" translates to "May your birthday be filled with love" and is a beautiful and sentimental wish that emphasizes affection and warmth. This is the perfect phrase to use when you want to express love and care for someone on their special day.

It’s often used in personal, intimate settings with family, close friends, or romantic partners, where you want to convey deep emotional meaning behind your birthday wishes. This phrase highlights the importance of love and connection on one’s birthday.

If you want to pronounce it correctly, say “roh-jden-dahn tee bee-oh ees-poo-nyehn lyoo-bah-lyoo.”

Conclusion

We hope this guide helped you learn how to say happy birthday in Croatian, an important phrase to know when celebrating in Croatia. If you are looking to learn more about the Croatian language, check out our other blog articles.

If you want to start learning Croatian, check out our Croatian lessons by making a free account.