Lyrics to Happy Birthday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Chinese version of \u2018Happy Birthday\u2019 is sung along to the same tune used in the west. Why not give it a go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 sh\u0113ng r\u00ec ku\u00e0i l\u00e8)
Happy Birthday to You
\u795d\u4f60\u751f\u65e5\u5feb\u4e50<\/a>
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 sh\u0113ng r\u00ec ku\u00e0i l\u00e8)
Happy Birthday to You
\u795d\u4f60\u5e78\u798f\uff0c \u795d\u4f60\u5065\u5eb7<\/a>
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 x\u00ecng f\u00fa, zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 ji\u00e0n k\u0101ng)
Here’s to your happiness, Here’s to your good health
\u795d\u4f60\u524d\u9014\u5149\u660e<\/a>
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 qi\u00e1n t\u00fa gu\u0101ng m\u00edng)
May your future be bright
\u795d\u4f60\u751f\u65e5\u5feb\u4e50<\/a>
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 sh\u0113ng r\u00ec ku\u00e0i l\u00e8)
Happy Birthday to You
\u795d\u4f60\u751f\u65e5\u5feb\u4e50<\/a>
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 sh\u0113ng r\u00ec ku\u00e0i l\u00e8)
Happy Birthday to You
\u795d\u4f60\u5e78\u798f\uff0c \u795d\u4f60\u5065\u5eb7<\/a>
(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 x\u00ecng f\u00fa, zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 ji\u00e0n k\u0101ng)
Here’s to your happiness, Here’s to your good health
\u6709\u4e2a\u6e29\u6696\u5bb6\u5ead<\/a>
(y\u01d2u g\u00e8 w\u0113n nu\u01cen ji\u0101 t\u00edng)
Here’s to your family.<\/center>\n\n\n\n
Baby’s 1st Birthday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"5bd6261c6cd0943fe461dbe68d69e380\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/5bd6261c6cd0943fe461dbe68d69e380-e1442373581640.jpg?resize=500%2C321&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe 1st birthday of a child is an incredibly important Chinese tradition. Some parents tell the baby\u2019s fortune by placing the baby in the middle of some objects and observing which the baby picks up. This tradition is known as <\/span>\u6293\u5468<\/span><\/a> (zhu\u0101 zh\u014du). \u5468 (zh\u014du) refers to the child reaching a year old. I\u2019ve found many different translations of \u6293\u5468 (zhu\u0101 zh\u014du), including \u2018One-year-old catch\u2019 and \u2018draw lots.\u2019 If the baby picks up a coin, they might be rich when they\u2019re older. However, if the baby picks up a doll, perhaps they will have many children. If they pick up a government seal, then maybe they will work for the government. However, if a baby chooses food or toys, then it is possible that the child will be \u2018playful\u2019 in the future and is considered a bad omen. Thankfully, many parents tend to read this in a positive light!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nActually, when a baby is born in China, they are already one year old, so this tradition is technically on a baby\u2019s \u20182nd\u2019 birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Old Are You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"10684136_103659389163_2\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/10684136_103659389163_2-e1442374350722.jpg?resize=450%2C437&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIf you want to work out someone\u2019s age, you ask for their Chinese zodiac:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although in Chinese the zodiacs are called \u751f\u8096<\/a> (sh\u0113ng xi\u00e0o), if you want to ask someone\u2019s zodiac, you would ask like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u4f60\u5c5e\u4ec0\u4e48?<\/a> (n\u01d0 sh\u01d4 sh\u00e9n me?) \u2013 What year (of the zodiac) are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can read more about each of the 12 Chinese zodiacs here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday…Noodles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"4cf8eb2d256e61fe41c73b26c48b6c7b\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4cf8eb2d256e61fe41c73b26c48b6c7b-e1442374391426.jpg?resize=374%2C475&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nUntil very recently, the birthday cake was not part of a Chinese birthday. However, these days, especially at a child\u2019s party, there will be a cake (although a lot different from what we\u2019re used to!). Previous to this, it was a tradition to begin eating \u2018Longevity noodles\u2019 known as\u00a0\u5bff\u9762<\/a>\u00a0(sh\u00f2u mi\u00e0n). The longevity noodle should be sucked up for as long as possible before bitten (to fit into the person\u2019s mouth). The long noodles represent the person\u2019s long life, although I\u2019m fairly sure there is no competitive element to this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"53a62d141bf88643f60d1052251b71fa\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/53a62d141bf88643f60d1052251b71fa.jpg?resize=375%2C275&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIf you celebrate a birthday in a Chinese restaurant, the owner may offer the person celebrating a free bowl of noodles with egg as a gift!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese Birthday Gifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gifts\u00a0\u793c\u7269<\/a>\u00a0(l\u01d0 w\u00f9) are also a relatively new addition to the Chinese birthday. Red packets\u00a0\u7ea2\u5305<\/a>\u00a0(h\u00f3ng b\u0101o) may have been given instead of a gift, but were mainly reserved for Chinese New Year. There are some important things to know about giving gifts to Chinese people.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGift Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since Chinese culture is packed with superstitions, it\u2019s also good to know what NOT to buy as a gift (not just for a birthday gift).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Gifts that come in pairs are best (but not 4\u2019s!)<\/li>
- Gifts should be wrapped in red (ideally), but definitely not colors representing death, such as white or black.<\/li>
- If you receive a gift from a Chinese person, it is rude to open it in front of them, so either ask them if it\u2019s ok or wait until later! (Chamcen tells me that these days it\u2019s ok between friends.)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Great Gift Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Chocolates, food, coffee, and sweets\/candy<\/li>
- Cute, small gifts for ladies (small box of tea, notebooks, etc.)<\/li>
- Skincare products or cosmetics (hand cream, classic \u2018red\u2019 lipstick<\/a> (Hollie recommends!), nail polish)<\/li>
- Basketball jerseys<\/a> and memorabilia<\/li>
- \u2018American\u2019 gifts<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Gifts to Avoid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- No clocks: Since clocks represent time, giving a clock as a gift might suggest that the receiver\u2019s time is \u2018running out\u2019. The Chinese words meaning to \u2018give a clock\u2019\u00a0\u9001\u9418<\/a>\u00a0(s\u00f2ng zh\u014dng) sounds like\u00a0\u9001\u7d42<\/a>\u00a0(s\u00f2ng zh\u014dng), which means to pay one\u2019s last respects.<\/li>
- No towels: Towels are often given out at funerals, so these are best avoided to prevent sad memories.<\/li>
- Avoid cut flowers: Especially yellow or white chrysanthemums\u00a0\u83ca\u82b1<\/a>\u00a0(j\u00fa hu\u0101) as they are usually given at funerals.<\/li>
- Stay away from shoes:\u00a0\u9001\u978b\u5b50<\/a>\u00a0(s\u00f2ng xi\u00e9 zi \u2013 give shoes) sounds very similar to the words used to break up with someone (\u90aa<\/a>\u00a0xi\u00e9 \u2013 abnormal, evil). So don\u2019t give shoes to your significant other if you want to stay with them!<\/li>
- A green hat: Yes, what are the chances of buying your friend or partner a green hat? Pretty slim. But green hats should still be avoided at all costs because it\u2019s the same phrase used to suggest your wife is cheating on you\u00a0\u6234\u7eff\u5e3d\u5b50<\/a>\u00a0(d\u00e0i l\u01dc m\u00e0o zi)!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/GIFT-GUIDE-FOR-CHINESE-FRIENDS-FAMILY.png?resize=800%2C2000\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTo learn more about gift-giving in China, you can listen to our Two White Chicks episode all about giving gifts to your Chinese colleagues<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday Superstitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As opposed to in the West, where people stop celebrating birthdays because they\u2019re embarrassed, Chinese people don\u2019t celebrate certain birthdays because of, yup, you guessed it, superstitions \u8ff7\u4fe1<\/a> (m\u00ed x\u00ecn).<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"30\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/30.jpg?resize=116%2C116&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe big 30: Since 30 is said to be potentially dangerous, many Chinese women do not celebrate their 30th birthday and remain 29 for an extra year (I can see an increase of 29-year-olds amongst my friends already).
33: 33 is even more unlucky than 30, and women about to turn this dreaded double three age should buy some meat, hide it behind the kitchen door and chop the meat 33 times. Chopping the meat will eliminate any evil spirits lurking in the woman\u2019s home and enter the meat, instead. Afterward, the meat is thrown away along with any trouble.
66: 66 has the same danger as 33, but this time a close female family relative must do the chopping. Sixty-six chops to get rid of those demons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"40\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/40-e1442375398759.jpg?resize=116%2C116&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n40: Not so different from in the West, Chinese men consider 40 to be a year of danger and potential bad luck (not to mention a mid-life crisis) and choose to remain 39 for an extra year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is common amongst older generations now to celebrate other birthdays too, including 73 and 84. In Chamcen\u2019s hometown, \u6c5f\u897f<\/a> (ji\u0101ng x\u012b) \u8d63\u5dde<\/a> (g\u00e0n zh\u014du), men will celebrate their 60th birthday, while women will celebrate 59th, but not 60th!<\/p>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday Greetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Depending on someone\u2019s age and relationship, people will write or speak a different kind of greeting. Chamcen has given us a handful of different things to say to a Chinese person on their special day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For older people, like grandparents, people will often write extended greetings, but a more simple sentiment might be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u795d\u60a8\u798f\u5982\u4e1c\u6d77\uff0c\u5bff\u6bd4\u5357\u4e0a\u3002<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n(zh\u00f9 n\u00edn f\u00fa r\u00fa d\u014dng h\u01cei, sh\u00f2u b\u00ec n\u00e1n sh\u00e0ng)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May your fortune be as boundless as the East Sea, and live a long and happy life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
or an older person who mostly likes to hear the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u795d\u60a8\u5e74\u5e74\u6709\u4eca\u65e5\uff0c\u5c81\u5c81\u6709\u4eca\u671d\uff08\u5e74\u5e74\u6709\u4eca\u65e5=\u5c81\u5c81\u6709\u4eca\u671d)<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n(zh\u00f9 n\u00edn ni\u00e1n ni\u00e1n y\u01d2u j\u012bn r\u00ec\uff0c su\u00ec su\u00ec y\u01d2u j\u012bn zh\u0101o (ni\u00e1n ni\u00e1n y\u01d2u j\u012bn r\u00ec = su\u00ec su\u00ec y\u01d2u j\u012bn zh\u0101o))<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have this day (you can celebrate your birthday) every year in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For family members such as your parents, for example, you can say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u795d\u60a8\u8eab\u4f53\u5065\u5eb7\uff0c\u8d8a\u6d3b\u8d8a\u5e74\u8f7b<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n(zh\u00f9 n\u00edn sh\u0113n t\u01d0 ji\u00e0n k\u0101ng, yu\u00e8 hu\u00f3 yu\u00e8 ni\u00e1n q\u012bng.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy birthday! May you be healthy and continue to get younger and younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For children, we can say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u5e0c\u671b\u4f60\u5065\u5eb7\u5feb\u4e50\u5730\u957f\u5927\uff01<\/a>. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n(x\u012b w\u00e0ng n\u01d0 ji\u00e0n k\u0101ng ku\u00e0i l\u00e8 de zh\u01ceng d\u00e0)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope you grow up to be healthy and happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For friends, simply say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u795d\u4f60\u751f\u65e5\u5feb\u4e50\uff0c\u5929\u5929\u5feb\u4e50\uff0c\u5fc3\u60f3\u4e8b\u6210\u3002<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n(zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 sh\u0113ng r\u00ec ku\u00e0i l\u00e8, ti\u0101n ti\u0101n ku\u00e0i l\u00e8, x\u012bn xi\u01ceng sh\u00ec ch\u00e9ng)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy birthday to you! I hope that you are happy every day and that all your wishes come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you know of any other Chinese birthday traditions you know of, please share them with us below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writtenchinese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/ABCs-of-Written-Chinese-Radicals-ebook.png?resize=780%2C300\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe 1st birthday of a child is an incredibly important Chinese tradition. Some parents tell the baby\u2019s fortune by placing the baby in the middle of some objects and observing which the baby picks up. This tradition is known as <\/span>\u6293\u5468<\/span><\/a> (zhu\u0101 zh\u014du). \u5468 (zh\u014du) refers to the child reaching a year old. I\u2019ve found many different translations of \u6293\u5468 (zhu\u0101 zh\u014du), including \u2018One-year-old catch\u2019 and \u2018draw lots.\u2019 If the baby picks up a coin, they might be rich when they\u2019re older. However, if the baby picks up a doll, perhaps they will have many children. If they pick up a government seal, then maybe they will work for the government. However, if a baby chooses food or toys, then it is possible that the child will be \u2018playful\u2019 in the future and is considered a bad omen. Thankfully, many parents tend to read this in a positive light!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Actually, when a baby is born in China, they are already one year old, so this tradition is technically on a baby\u2019s \u20182nd\u2019 birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to work out someone\u2019s age, you ask for their Chinese zodiac:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although in Chinese the zodiacs are called \u751f\u8096<\/a> (sh\u0113ng xi\u00e0o), if you want to ask someone\u2019s zodiac, you would ask like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u4f60\u5c5e\u4ec0\u4e48?<\/a> (n\u01d0 sh\u01d4 sh\u00e9n me?) \u2013 What year (of the zodiac) are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can read more about each of the 12 Chinese zodiacs here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until very recently, the birthday cake was not part of a Chinese birthday. However, these days, especially at a child\u2019s party, there will be a cake (although a lot different from what we\u2019re used to!). Previous to this, it was a tradition to begin eating \u2018Longevity noodles\u2019 known as\u00a0\u5bff\u9762<\/a>\u00a0(sh\u00f2u mi\u00e0n). The longevity noodle should be sucked up for as long as possible before bitten (to fit into the person\u2019s mouth). The long noodles represent the person\u2019s long life, although I\u2019m fairly sure there is no competitive element to this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you celebrate a birthday in a Chinese restaurant, the owner may offer the person celebrating a free bowl of noodles with egg as a gift!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gifts\u00a0\u793c\u7269<\/a>\u00a0(l\u01d0 w\u00f9) are also a relatively new addition to the Chinese birthday. Red packets\u00a0\u7ea2\u5305<\/a>\u00a0(h\u00f3ng b\u0101o) may have been given instead of a gift, but were mainly reserved for Chinese New Year. There are some important things to know about giving gifts to Chinese people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Chinese culture is packed with superstitions, it\u2019s also good to know what NOT to buy as a gift (not just for a birthday gift).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about gift-giving in China, you can listen to our Two White Chicks episode all about giving gifts to your Chinese colleagues<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As opposed to in the West, where people stop celebrating birthdays because they\u2019re embarrassed, Chinese people don\u2019t celebrate certain birthdays because of, yup, you guessed it, superstitions \u8ff7\u4fe1<\/a> (m\u00ed x\u00ecn).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The big 30: Since 30 is said to be potentially dangerous, many Chinese women do not celebrate their 30th birthday and remain 29 for an extra year (I can see an increase of 29-year-olds amongst my friends already). 40: Not so different from in the West, Chinese men consider 40 to be a year of danger and potential bad luck (not to mention a mid-life crisis) and choose to remain 39 for an extra year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is common amongst older generations now to celebrate other birthdays too, including 73 and 84. In Chamcen\u2019s hometown, \u6c5f\u897f<\/a> (ji\u0101ng x\u012b) \u8d63\u5dde<\/a> (g\u00e0n zh\u014du), men will celebrate their 60th birthday, while women will celebrate 59th, but not 60th!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on someone\u2019s age and relationship, people will write or speak a different kind of greeting. Chamcen has given us a handful of different things to say to a Chinese person on their special day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n For older people, like grandparents, people will often write extended greetings, but a more simple sentiment might be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u795d\u60a8\u798f\u5982\u4e1c\u6d77\uff0c\u5bff\u6bd4\u5357\u4e0a\u3002<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n (zh\u00f9 n\u00edn f\u00fa r\u00fa d\u014dng h\u01cei, sh\u00f2u b\u00ec n\u00e1n sh\u00e0ng)<\/p>\n\n\n\n May your fortune be as boundless as the East Sea, and live a long and happy life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n or an older person who mostly likes to hear the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u795d\u60a8\u5e74\u5e74\u6709\u4eca\u65e5\uff0c\u5c81\u5c81\u6709\u4eca\u671d\uff08\u5e74\u5e74\u6709\u4eca\u65e5=\u5c81\u5c81\u6709\u4eca\u671d)<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n (zh\u00f9 n\u00edn ni\u00e1n ni\u00e1n y\u01d2u j\u012bn r\u00ec\uff0c su\u00ec su\u00ec y\u01d2u j\u012bn zh\u0101o (ni\u00e1n ni\u00e1n y\u01d2u j\u012bn r\u00ec = su\u00ec su\u00ec y\u01d2u j\u012bn zh\u0101o))<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have this day (you can celebrate your birthday) every year in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For family members such as your parents, for example, you can say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u795d\u60a8\u8eab\u4f53\u5065\u5eb7\uff0c\u8d8a\u6d3b\u8d8a\u5e74\u8f7b<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n (zh\u00f9 n\u00edn sh\u0113n t\u01d0 ji\u00e0n k\u0101ng, yu\u00e8 hu\u00f3 yu\u00e8 ni\u00e1n q\u012bng.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy birthday! May you be healthy and continue to get younger and younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For children, we can say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u5e0c\u671b\u4f60\u5065\u5eb7\u5feb\u4e50\u5730\u957f\u5927\uff01<\/a>. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n (x\u012b w\u00e0ng n\u01d0 ji\u00e0n k\u0101ng ku\u00e0i l\u00e8 de zh\u01ceng d\u00e0)<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope you grow up to be healthy and happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n For friends, simply say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u795d\u4f60\u751f\u65e5\u5feb\u4e50\uff0c\u5929\u5929\u5feb\u4e50\uff0c\u5fc3\u60f3\u4e8b\u6210\u3002<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n (zh\u00f9 n\u01d0 sh\u0113ng r\u00ec ku\u00e0i l\u00e8, ti\u0101n ti\u0101n ku\u00e0i l\u00e8, x\u012bn xi\u01ceng sh\u00ec ch\u00e9ng)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy birthday to you! I hope that you are happy every day and that all your wishes come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know of any other Chinese birthday traditions you know of, please share them with us below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Old Are You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday…Noodles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday Gifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gift Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Great Gift Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gifts to Avoid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday Superstitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
33: 33 is even more unlucky than 30, and women about to turn this dreaded double three age should buy some meat, hide it behind the kitchen door and chop the meat 33 times. Chopping the meat will eliminate any evil spirits lurking in the woman\u2019s home and enter the meat, instead. Afterward, the meat is thrown away along with any trouble.
66: 66 has the same danger as 33, but this time a close female family relative must do the chopping. Sixty-six chops to get rid of those demons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nChinese Birthday Greetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n