If you’re looking for a way to add a touch of Spanish flair to your next birthday celebration, why not learn how to sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish? It’s a fun and easy way to show your friends and family that you care, and it’s sure to put a smile on their faces. Plus, it’s a great way to practice your Spanish language skills.
The Spanish version of “Happy Birthday” is called “Cumpleaños Feliz.” It has a similar melody to the English version, but the lyrics are different. The first verse goes like this: “Cumpleaños feliz, te deseamos a ti, cumpleaños feliz, te deseamos a ti, cumpleaños feliz, feliz cumpleaños, cumpleaños feliz.” This translates to: “Happy birthday, we wish you, happy birthday, we wish you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.”
The second verse is a little different. It goes like this: “Que los cumplas muy felices, que los cumplas muy felices, que los cumplas muy felices, que los cumplas muy felices.” This translates to: “May you have a very happy birthday, may you have a very happy birthday, may you have a very happy birthday, may you have a very happy birthday.” You can repeat the second verse as many times as you like, or you can just sing it once. To finish the song, simply sing the first verse again.
Pronouncing the Words Correctly
Singing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish requires accurate pronunciation to convey the proper meaning and festive spirit. Here’s a detailed guide to ensure correct pronunciation:
“Cumpleaños” (Birthday):
- Pronounced as “koo-myay-ah-nos”
- Accentuate the third syllable (“-ah-nos”)
“Feliz” (Happy):
- Pronounced as “fay-lees”
- Emphasis on the first syllable (“fay”)
“Te” (You):
- Pronounced as “tay”
- The “e” is pronounced clearly
| Spanish Word | Pronounced as |
|---|---|
| Cumpleaños | koo-myay-ah-nos |
| Feliz | fay-lees |
| Te | tay |
| Que | kay |
| Cumplas | koom-plas |
| Muchos | moo-chos |
| Años | ahn-yos |
Using the Correct Melody
The melody for “Happy Birthday” in Spanish is slightly different from the English version. The first two lines are the same, but the third and fourth lines have a different rhythm. Here is the correct melody:
First line: Cum-ple-a-ños fe-liz
Second line: Te de-se-a-mos a ti
Third line: Cum-ple-a-ños fe-liz
Fourth line: Cum-ple-a-ños fe-liz
Fifth line: Te de-se-a-mos a ti
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of the Spanish words is also important. Here is a guide to the pronunciation of the key words:
| Spanish Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Cumpleaños | [koom-play-ah-nyos] |
| Feliz | [fay-lees] |
| Te | [tay] |
| Deseamos | [day-say-ah-mos] |
| A ti | [ah tee] |
Adding Expression and Emphasis
To truly capture the spirit of “Feliz Cumpleaños,” it’s essential to add expression and emphasis to your singing. Here are some tips to enhance the delivery of each line:
Adding Emphasis to “Feliz”
Stress the first syllable, “Fe-“, by holding the note slightly longer. This accentuates the joyful sentiment of wishing someone a “Happy” birthday.
Pronunciation of “Cumpleaños”
The “ñ” in “Cumpleaños” has a unique pronunciation, resembling a cross between “ny” and “ni.” Pronounce it clearly to avoid sounding like you’re singing “Happy” something else!
Extended Notes on “Que los cumplas”
This phrase is where you can really showcase your vocal range. Start by holding the high note on “que” for at least a second, then gradually descend through the notes of “los cumplas.” This extended vocalization adds drama and emphasis to the wish for the birthday person to have many more.
|
Line |
Emphasis |
|---|---|
|
Feliz cumpleaños |
Stress “Fe-“ |
|
Te deseo lo mejor |
Hold high note on “mejor” |
|
Que los cumplas |
Extended high note on “que,” descend through “cumplas” |
|
Muy feliz |
Roll “r” in “feliz” |
Singing in Unison
To sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish in unison, all singers sing the same notes at the same time. This is the most common way to sing the song. Here are the lyrics and melody for singing in unison:
| Spanish lyrics | English translation |
|---|---|
| Cumpleaños feliz | Happy birthday |
| Te deseamos | We wish you |
| Cumpleaños feliz | Happy birthday |
| Que los cumplas feliz | May you have many more |
How to Sing the Phrasing
The phrasing of the song is important for keeping the tempo and rhythm. The phrases are as follows:
Phrase 1: Cumpleaños feliz
This phrase is sung in one breath. The notes are held for a beat each, except for the last note, which is held for two beats.
Phrase 2: Te deseamos
This phrase is also sung in one breath. The notes are held for a beat each, except for the last note, which is held for two beats.
Phrase 3: Cumpleaños feliz
This phrase is sung in the same way as the first phrase.
Phrase 4: Que los cumplas feliz
This phrase is sung in two breaths. The first breath is used to sing the first three notes. The second breath is used to sing the last three notes, which are held for two beats each.
Utilizing Online Resources
The internet is a treasure trove of resources for learning Spanish, including songs. Several websites and apps offer video tutorials, interactive lessons, and downloadable materials specifically designed to teach the “Happy Birthday” song in Spanish. Some popular options include:
Duolingo: This popular language learning app offers a free course that includes the “Happy Birthday” song in Spanish.
YouTube: Search for “Happy Birthday” in Spanish and you’ll find numerous videos with lyrics and pronunciations.
SpanishPod101: This website provides a comprehensive video lesson on singing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish, complete with a downloadable PDF of the lyrics.
| Website | Features |
|---|---|
| Duolingo | Free course, interactive lessons, lyrics and pronunciations |
| YouTube | Numerous videos with lyrics and pronunciations |
| SpanishPod101 | Comprehensive video lesson, downloadable PDF of lyrics |
Attending a Spanish Class
Enrolling in a Spanish class is an excellent way to learn the language and improve fluency. Here are some advantages of attending a Spanish class:
- Structured learning: Classes provide a structured learning environment with a clear curriculum and lesson plans.
- Qualified instructors: Spanish classes are led by qualified instructors who provide expert guidance and support.
- Immersive experience: Classes immerse students in the language, creating a more engaging and effective learning experience.
- Pronunciation practice: Classes offer opportunities for students to practice speaking and improving their pronunciation.
- Grammar and vocabulary development: Classes focus on developing both grammar and vocabulary skills, providing a solid foundation in the language.
- Cultural insights: Many Spanish classes also incorporate cultural insights, giving students a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture.
9. Number 9
In Spanish, the number 9 is pronounced “nueve” (“nway-beh”). When singing “Happy Birthday,” the ninth line of the song is as follows:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| nueve años de suerte | nine lucky years |
When singing this line, emphasize the “n” sound in “nueve” and pronounce the “r” in “suerte” with a rolling motion.
How to Sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish
To sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish, follow these steps:
- Pronounce “Feliz cumpleaños” (fay-LEES koo-m’play-ah-nos) for “Happy birthday”.
- Sing the melody of “Happy Birthday” to the words “Feliz cumpleaños a ti” (fay-LEES koo-m’play-ah-nos ah tee).
- Repeat “Feliz cumpleaños a ti” for the second line.
- Sing “Que los cumplas muy felices” (kay lohs KOO-moh-plas mooy fay-LEE-sayz) for “Happy birthday to you”.
- Repeat “Que los cumplas muy felices” for the second line.
- Add “Y que cumplas muchos más” (ee kay KOO-moh-plas MOO-chohs MAHS) for “And may you have many more”.
