יוֹם הֻלֶּדֶת שָׂמֵחַ
yom huledet sameach
Happy birthday in Hebrew is yom huledet sameach
What it means
Yom is day, huledet is birth, and sameach is happy: a happy day of birth. The same words go to anyone, man or woman, child or grandparent.
When Israelis say it
Israelis add mazal tov, congratulations, and often ad me'a ve'esrim, may you live to 120, the age the Torah gives for Moses. A child's party in Israel ends with the birthday child lifted on a chair once for every year.
How to answer
Toda, thank you, or toda raba.
Frequently asked questions
What does ad me'a ve'esrim mean?
Until 120: a wish for a long life, after Moses, who the Torah says lived to 120.
Is there a Hebrew birthday?
Yes. Many people also mark the date they were born on the Hebrew calendar, which moves against the ordinary one each year.