Happy birthday to you.

Meaning: This means to wish someone a happy birthday and to celebrate their special day. It's like saying, I hope you have a wonderful birthday filled with joy and happiness.

Choice of Words: Happy means feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. Birthday refers to the anniversary of the day on which a person was born. To indicates the recipient of the birthday wishes. You indicates the person whose birthday it is. Together, they form a greeting or wish for someone on their birthday, expressing happiness and celebration.

Alternative Expressions

Many happy returns.

Meaning: This is a more formal way of saying happy birthday. It's like saying, I hope you have many more happy birthdays in the future.

Choice of Words: Many means a large number of something. Happy means feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. Returns means to come back or happen again. When you put them together, "Many happy returns" is a message expressing hope that someone will have many more happy birthdays.

Have a great day.

Meaning: This is a simple and straightforward way of wishing someone well. It's like saying, I hope you have a day that is full of happiness and joy.

Choice of Words: Have is a verb that means to possess or own something. Great means very good or impressive. Day refers to a 24-hour period of time. When you put them together, "Have a great day" is a message expressing hope that someone will enjoy their day.

Related Expressions