The French word for birthday is anniversaire, which makes "happy birthday" bon anniversaire (good birthday) or joyeuse anniversaire (joyous birthday).
However, when you start talking about wedding anniversaries, things get confusing.
Last night before leaving work, I was looking at a calendar and mentioned to my colleague that my anniversaire de marriage was today. He understood well that it was not my birthday, and I was pleased with myself for having successfully communicated my point.
Then when I came into the office today, he looked up at me and said "Happy Birthday!"
I smiled and said "Oh no, it's not my anniversaire. It's the anniversaire of my marriage."
"I know. I understood. Happy birthday! Doesn't that work?"
"errr…no. You see, 'birth' is naissance, and 'day' is the date. Birthday. This isn't my birthday."
"Oh. So what should I say?"
"How about 'Happy Anniversary'?"
"Bon anniversaire? But that's what you say for an anniversaire."
Uhh....forget it.
Héhé, un grand classique.
ReplyDeleteJoyeux anniversaire à vous deux !
[attention c'est masculin, anniversaire :þ]