जन्मदिवस
जन्मदिवस en 30 secondes
- Janmadivas is the formal Hindi term for 'birthday', combining the Sanskrit roots for 'birth' and 'day'.
- It is a masculine noun, requiring masculine agreement in adjectives and pronouns (e.g., 'Mera Janmadivas').
- While 'Janmadin' is common, 'Janmadivas' is preferred in formal writing, invitations, and official greetings.
- Culturally, it marks a significant personal and spiritual milestone often celebrated with both modern and traditional rituals.
The word जन्मदिवस (Janmadivas) is a compound noun in Hindi that translates directly to 'birthday.' It is derived from two Sanskrit roots: Janma (birth) and Divas (day). While the more colloquial term Janmadin is frequently used in everyday conversation, Janmadivas carries a slightly more formal, respectful, and literary tone. It is the kind of word you would see on a formal invitation, a greeting card, or used by a news anchor when referring to the birth anniversary of a significant public figure. Understanding this word is crucial for any learner because it opens the door to understanding how Hindi constructs formal vocabulary by leaning on its Sanskrit heritage.
- Etymological Breakdown
- The prefix 'Janma' refers to the act of being born or the origin of life. The suffix 'Divas' refers to a solar day. Combined, they signify the specific day of one's origin.
- Register and Tone
- Janmadivas is considered 'Shuddh' (pure) Hindi. While 'Birthday' is often used even in Hindi speech (Hinglish), and 'Janmadin' is the standard neutral term, 'Janmadivas' is used to show high linguistic proficiency or to add a layer of solemnity to the occasion.
In Indian culture, a birthday is not just a personal celebration but often a family and religious event. The use of Janmadivas often coincides with traditional rituals. For instance, a mother might wish her son using this term when giving him a 'tika' (vermilion mark) on his forehead. It suggests a celebration that is rooted in tradition rather than just a modern party with cake and candles.
आपको जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। (Heartfelt best wishes to you on your birthday.)
Furthermore, the word is used in the context of 'Jayanti' when referring to the birth anniversaries of gods or national heroes, but Janmadivas remains the standard for living individuals. For example, one might say 'Gandhi Jayanti' but for a friend, 'Janmadivas' is the peak of formal etiquette. It is a masculine noun, which is vital for grammatical agreement in sentences. You would say 'Mera Janmadivas' (My birthday) rather than 'Meri Janmadivas'.
The word also appears in various compound forms and bureaucratic contexts. On a birth certificate or an application form, you will frequently see 'Janm-tithi' (Birth date), but in the celebratory header of a social media post, 'Janmadivas' reigns supreme. It evokes a sense of auspiciousness (Shubh) that shorter words lack. In the modern era, as Hindi speakers seek to reclaim traditional vocabulary, 'Janmadivas' has seen a resurgence in digital greeting graphics and poetic expressions.
आज मेरे पुत्र का प्रथम जन्मदिवस है। (Today is my son's first birthday.)
Using जन्मदिवस correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's possessive markers and verb conjugations. Since it is a masculine noun, all adjectives and possessive pronouns modifying it must take the masculine form. For example, the 'ka' in 'Bhai ka janmadivas' (Brother's birthday) stays 'ka' and does not change to 'ki' unless the overall sentence structure demands a post-positional change.
- Possessive Agreement
- Correct: आपका जन्मदिवस (Your birthday - Masculine). Incorrect: आपकी जन्मदिवस.
- Common Verbs
- The most common verb used with this noun is 'मनाना' (manānā), which means 'to celebrate'. Example: हम कल उनका जन्मदिवस मनाएंगे (We will celebrate his birthday tomorrow).
When you want to ask someone when their birthday is, the sentence structure is: 'आपका जन्मदिवस कब है?' (When is your birthday?). Notice the use of 'kab' (when). If you are referring to a past birthday, the auxiliary verb changes to 'tha' (was): 'कल मेरा जन्मदिवस था' (Yesterday was my birthday).
मेरे जन्मदिवस पर आप जरूर आइएगा। (Please do come on my birthday.)
In more complex sentences, 'Janmadivas' can be part of a prepositional phrase. For instance, 'Janmadivas के उपलक्ष्य में' (On the occasion of the birthday). This is very high-level Hindi often used in invitations for formal parties or charity events. 'Uplakshya' means 'occasion' or 'celebration of'. Another common pattern is 'Janmadivas के अवसर पर' (On the opportunity/occasion of the birthday).
To describe the birthday, you can use adjectives like 'भव्य' (grand), 'सादा' (simple), or 'शुभ' (auspicious). 'एक भव्य जन्मदिवस समारोह' (A grand birthday ceremony). Note how 'samaroh' (ceremony/function) often follows 'Janmadivas' in formal contexts to describe the party itself.
वह अपना जन्मदिवस सादगी से मनाना पसंद करती है। (She likes to celebrate her birthday with simplicity.)
Finally, in the digital age, you will see 'Janmadivas' used in hashtags like #जन्मदिवस or in automated reminders. When wishing someone, the phrase 'Janmadivas ki shubhkamnaye' (Birthday wishes) is a complete unit. The word 'ki' here belongs to 'shubhkamnaye' (which is feminine plural), not to 'Janmadivas'. This is a common point of confusion for learners.
While you might hear 'Happy Birthday' or 'Janmadin' at a casual house party in Delhi or Mumbai, जन्मदिवस is heard in specific, often more elevated environments. One of the primary places is in Hindi literature and poetry. Authors use it to maintain a certain rhythmic meter and to evoke a sense of tradition. If you are reading a classic Hindi novel or a biography of a leader like Subhash Chandra Bose, the text will almost certainly use 'Janmadivas'.
- News and Media
- Radio news (Akashvani) and public television (Doordarshan) use this word constantly. When the Prime Minister wishes a citizen or a foreign dignitary, the official tweet or press release will use 'Janmadivas'.
- Formal Invitations
- Wedding-style invitations for a child's first birthday (Mundan or Annaprashan ceremonies) will use the word to set a respectful tone for the guests.
In schools across North India, during the morning assembly, a teacher might announce the names of students whose birthday it is. They often say, 'आज इन विद्यार्थियों का जन्मदिवस है' (Today is the birthday of these students). This reinforces the word in the minds of young speakers as the 'proper' way to refer to the day in an institutional setting.
आकाशवाणी से समाचार हैं, आज राष्ट्रपति का जन्मदिवस है। (News from All India Radio: today is the President's birthday.)
You will also encounter this word in religious discourses (Pravachans). When a Guru or a priest speaks about the 'birth' of a soul or the significance of the day one was born into this world to perform 'Karma', Janmadivas is the preferred term because of its Sanskrit sanctity. It elevates the concept from a mere party to a significant milestone in a person's life journey.
In Bollywood movies, while the characters might say 'Happy Birthday', the songs (especially the more traditional or soulful ones) might use 'Janmadivas' or 'Janam-din'. The word has a lyrical quality that fits well into the 'Chaupai' or 'Doha' poetic structures. Listening for this word in period dramas or movies set in rural, traditional heartlands (like Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh) will give you a sense of its authentic usage.
निमंत्रण पत्र पर लिखा था: 'पुत्री के जन्मदिवस पर पधारें'। (It was written on the invitation: 'Please come on the daughter's birthday'.)
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using जन्मदिवस is misgendering the noun. In Hindi, every noun has a gender, and Janmadivas is masculine. Learners often mistakenly use the feminine 'ki' because they associate birthdays with 'party' (which is often treated as feminine in some contexts) or because they are thinking of the feminine word 'shubhkamnaye' (wishes).
- Gender Confusion
- Mistake: 'मेरी जन्मदिवस' (My birthday - Fem). Correct: 'मेरा जन्मदिवस' (My birthday - Masc).
- Spelling and Pronunciation
- The 'va' in 'divas' is often mispronounced as a hard 'ba' by some regional speakers, but for standard Hindi, it should be a soft labiodental 'v'. Also, the 'n' in 'Janma' is a half-letter (conjunct), which requires a quick transition to the 'ma'.
Another mistake is confusing Janmadivas with Saalgirah. While both can mean birthday, Saalgirah is of Persian origin and is much more commonly used for wedding anniversaries (Shaadi ki saalgirah). If you use 'Saalgirah' for a birthday, it's not technically wrong, but in a formal Hindu context, 'Janmadivas' is far more appropriate. Conversely, using 'Janmadivas' for a wedding anniversary is incorrect.
गलत: आपकी जन्मदिवस कब है? (Wrong gender)
सही: आपका जन्मदिवस कब है? (Correct gender)
Learners also struggle with the placement of the word in sentences involving 'wishes'. They might say 'Janmadivas shubhkamnaye' without the necessary 'ki'. In Hindi, you need the possessive 'ki' to link 'birthday' to 'wishes'. It translates to 'Wishes OF birthday'. Without 'ki', the sentence sounds like 'Birthday Wishes' in a way that feels grammatically incomplete in Hindi.
Finally, watch out for the plural. If you are talking about the birthdays of multiple people, the word 'Janmadivas' does not change its form in the direct case (e.g., 'Unke janmadivas...' - Their birthdays). However, the surrounding verbs and pronouns will change. A common mistake is to try and pluralize it as 'Janmadivaso', which is only used in very specific oblique constructions and usually sounds awkward.
सावधान: 'जन्मदिवसों' का प्रयोग केवल विशेष परिस्थितियों में ही करें। (Caution: Use 'Janmadivaso' only in special circumstances.)
Hindi has a rich tapestry of words for 'birthday' and related anniversaries, each with its own nuance. Understanding these helps you choose the right word for the right occasion. The most direct alternative to जन्मदिवस is जन्मदिन (Janmadin). While 'Divas' and 'Din' both mean day, 'Din' is more common in daily speech, whereas 'Divas' is more formal.
- Janmadivas vs. Jayanti
- 'Jayanti' is used specifically for the birth anniversaries of historical figures, saints, or deities (e.g., Hanuman Jayanti, Gandhi Jayanti). You would never use 'Jayanti' for your own birthday.
- Janmadivas vs. Saalgirah
- 'Saalgirah' is Urdu-origin. It is commonly used for wedding anniversaries. While some use it for birthdays, 'Janmadivas' is the preferred Hindi/Sanskrit term.
- Janm-tithi
- 'Tithi' refers to the lunar date. In many Indian households, the 'Janm-tithi' (based on the Hindu calendar) is more important for religious rituals than the English calendar birthday.
Another related word is वर्षगाँठ (Varshganth). 'Varsh' means year and 'Ganth' means knot. It literally translates to 'the knot of the year.' This is a very poetic and formal way to say anniversary. It is often used for the anniversaries of institutions or organizations, but can also be used for birthdays in very high-register Hindi.
आज संस्था की दसवीं वर्षगाँठ है। (Today is the tenth anniversary of the institution.)
In legal or official documents, you might encounter the term जन्म दिनांक (Janm Dinank). 'Dinank' is the formal word for 'date.' While 'Janmadivas' is the day of celebration, 'Janm Dinank' is the data point of your birth. If a form asks for your 'Janm Dinank,' it wants the DD/MM/YYYY format.
Lastly, consider the word अवतरण दिवस (Avataran Divas). This is an extremely formal and religious term, usually reserved for the 'descent' (incarnation) of a deity or a very high spiritual master. It implies that the person didn't just 'take birth' but 'descended' into the world. You might hear this in ashrams or temples.
गुरुदेव के अवतरण दिवस पर सत्संग का आयोजन किया गया है। (A spiritual gathering has been organized on the Guru's incarnation day.)
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
In ancient times, birthdays were often calculated using the moon's position (Tithi). The word 'Janmadivas' can refer to both the solar anniversary and the lunar one, though 'Janm-tithi' is more precise for the latter.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'Janma' as 'Jan-ma' with a full 'a' in the middle (it's a conjunct 'nm').
- Pronouncing the 'v' in 'divas' as a hard English 'b'.
- Failing to aspirate the 'dh' if they confuse it with other words, though 'Janmadivas' has no 'dh'.
- Pronouncing 's' at the end as 'sh'.
- Over-emphasizing the final 'a' in 'Janma' which is usually a schwa.
Niveau de difficulté
The word is easy to read once you know the conjunct 'nm'.
Writing 'Janma' requires knowing how to write half-letters in Devanagari.
Pronunciation is straightforward for most learners.
Very easy to recognize in context.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Masculine Noun Agreement
मेरा (My - Masc) जन्मदिवस. Not 'मेरी'.
Postposition 'Ki' with 'Shubhkamnaye'
जन्मदिवस की (of) शुभकामनाएँ (wishes). 'Ki' agrees with 'wishes'.
Past Tense with 'Tha'
कल मेरा जन्मदिवस था (Yesterday was my birthday).
Future Tense with 'Hoga'
कल उसका जन्मदिवस होगा (Tomorrow will be his birthday).
Oblique Case (No change)
जन्मदिवस पर (On the birthday). The word does not change form.
Exemples par niveau
आज मेरा जन्मदिवस है।
Today is my birthday.
Uses 'mera' (masculine) because 'janmadivas' is masculine.
आपका जन्मदिवस कब है?
When is your birthday?
'Kab' means 'when'.
जन्मदिवस की शुभकामनाएँ!
Happy Birthday!
A standard greeting phrase.
यह मेरा जन्मदिवस है।
This is my birthday.
'Yeh' means 'this'.
कल राहुल का जन्मदिवस था।
Yesterday was Rahul's birthday.
'Tha' is the past tense (was).
मेरी माँ का जन्मदिवस आज है।
My mother's birthday is today.
'Maa ka' shows possession; 'ka' agrees with 'janmadivas'.
शुभ जन्मदिवस!
Auspicious Birthday! (Happy Birthday)
'Shubh' means auspicious.
क्या आज आपका जन्मदिवस है?
Is today your birthday?
'Kya' at the start makes it a yes/no question.
मैं अपना जन्मदिवस मना रहा हूँ।
I am celebrating my birthday.
Present continuous tense: 'mana raha hoon'.
मेरे दोस्त का जन्मदिवस अगले हफ्ते है।
My friend's birthday is next week.
'Agle hafte' means 'next week'.
हम पार्टी में जन्मदिवस मनाएंगे।
We will celebrate the birthday at the party.
Future tense: 'manaenge'.
उसने मुझे अपने जन्मदिवस पर बुलाया।
He invited me on his birthday.
'Bulaya' means 'called/invited'.
यह जन्मदिवस का उपहार है।
This is a birthday gift.
'Upahaar' means 'gift'.
जन्मदिवस के लिए केक लाओ।
Bring a cake for the birthday.
'Ke liye' means 'for'.
आपका जन्मदिवस बहुत अच्छा हो।
May your birthday be very good.
Expressing a wish/desire.
मैंने उसे जन्मदिवस का कार्ड दिया।
I gave him/her a birthday card.
'Diya' is the past tense of 'dena' (to give).
मेरे दादाजी अपना अस्सीवाँ जन्मदिवस मना रहे हैं।
My grandfather is celebrating his eightieth birthday.
'Assiwan' means 'eightieth'.
जन्मदिवस के अवसर पर मंदिर जाना हमारी परंपरा है।
It is our tradition to go to the temple on the occasion of a birthday.
'Avsar par' means 'on the occasion'.
क्या आप मेरे जन्मदिवस समारोह में आएंगे?
Will you come to my birthday ceremony/function?
'Samaroh' adds formality.
उसका जन्मदिवस हर साल धूमधाम से मनाया जाता है।
His birthday is celebrated with great pomp every year.
Passive construction: 'manaya jata hai'.
मैंने अपने जन्मदिवस पर गरीबों को खाना खिलाया।
I fed the poor on my birthday.
A common cultural practice in India.
हमें उनके जन्मदिवस के लिए एक सरप्राइज प्लान करना चाहिए।
We should plan a surprise for his/her birthday.
'Chahiye' means 'should'.
पिछला जन्मदिवस मेरे लिए बहुत यादगार था।
The last birthday was very memorable for me.
'Yaadgaar' means 'memorable'.
जन्मदिवस की पार्टी के लिए सजावट बहुत सुंदर है।
The decoration for the birthday party is very beautiful.
'Sajavat' means 'decoration'.
प्रधानमंत्री ने उन्हें जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक बधाई दी।
The Prime Minister gave them heartfelt birthday congratulations.
'Hardik badhai' is a formal way to say 'heartfelt congratulations'.
जन्मदिवस के उपलक्ष्य में एक रक्तदान शिविर आयोजित किया गया।
A blood donation camp was organized on the occasion of the birthday.
'Uplakshya mein' is a highly formal phrase.
उसने अपने जन्मदिवस पर एक नई पुस्तक का विमोचन किया।
He released a new book on his birthday.
'Vimochan' means 'release' or 'unveiling'.
वह अपना जन्मदिवस केवल अपने परिवार के साथ सादगी से मनाता है।
He celebrates his birthday with simplicity, only with his family.
'Saadgi' means 'simplicity'.
जन्मदिवस की पूर्व-संध्या पर एक विशेष प्रार्थना आयोजित की गई।
A special prayer was organized on the eve of the birthday.
'Purva-sandhya' means 'eve' (literally 'previous evening').
उनके जन्मदिवस पर पूरे शहर में उत्सव का माहौल था।
On his birthday, there was a festive atmosphere throughout the city.
'Mahol' means 'atmosphere'.
मैं अपने जन्मदिवस पर कुछ नया सीखने का संकल्प लेता हूँ।
I take a resolution to learn something new on my birthday.
'Sankalp' means 'resolution/vow'.
जन्मदिवस के उपहार स्वरूप उन्होंने एक पौधा लगाया।
As a birthday gift, they planted a sapling.
'Upahaar swaroop' means 'in the form of a gift'.
जन्मदिवस मात्र एक तिथि नहीं, बल्कि आत्म-चिंतन का अवसर है।
A birthday is not just a date, but an opportunity for self-reflection.
'Aatman-chintan' means 'self-reflection'.
उनके सौवें जन्मदिवस पर एक भव्य स्मारिका प्रकाशित की गई।
A grand souvenir was published on his hundredth birthday.
'Smarika' means 'souvenir/commemorative volume'.
साहित्यिक जगत में उनके जन्मदिवस को एक पर्व की तरह मनाया जाता है।
In the literary world, his birthday is celebrated like a festival.
'Parva' means 'festival'.
जन्मदिवस के इस शुभ अवसर पर हम आपके दीर्घायु होने की कामना करते हैं।
On this auspicious occasion of your birthday, we wish for your long life.
'Deerghayu' means 'long-lived'.
क्या जन्मदिवस की सार्थकता केवल उत्सव मनाने में ही निहित है?
Is the meaningfulness of a birthday inherent only in celebrating it?
'Sarthakta' means 'meaningfulness/significance'.
उन्होंने अपने जन्मदिवस को समाज सेवा के लिए समर्पित कर दिया।
He dedicated his birthday to social service.
'Samarpit' means 'dedicated'.
उनकी कविता में जन्मदिवस को जीवन के नए अध्याय के रूप में वर्णित किया गया है।
In her poetry, the birthday is described as a new chapter of life.
'Varnit' means 'described'.
जन्मदिवस की बधाई देने का उनका तरीका अत्यंत मौलिक था।
His way of giving birthday wishes was extremely original/unique.
'Maulik' means 'original/fundamental'.
जन्मदिवस की अवधारणा काल के निरंतर प्रवाह में एक विराम बिंदु की भाँति है।
The concept of a birthday is like a pause point in the continuous flow of time.
'Avadharna' means 'concept'; 'Nirantar pravah' means 'continuous flow'.
दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण से, प्रत्येक जन्मदिवस मृत्यु के समीप जाने का एक और सोपान है।
From a philosophical perspective, every birthday is another step toward death.
'Darshanik drishtikon' means 'philosophical perspective'.
उनके जन्मदिवस पर आयोजित संगोष्ठी में जीवन की नश्वरता पर चर्चा हुई।
At the seminar organized on his birthday, the transience of life was discussed.
'Nashvarta' means 'transience/perishability'.
जन्मदिवस के उल्लास में वह अपने जीवन के मूल उद्देश्यों को विस्मृत नहीं करता।
In the joy of his birthday, he does not forget the fundamental purposes of his life.
'Vismrit' means 'forgotten'.
अध्यात्म में जन्मदिवस को 'नूतन जन्म' की प्राप्ति के संकल्प के रूप में देखा जाता है।
In spirituality, a birthday is seen as a resolution to attain a 'new birth/awakening'.
'Nootan' means 'new/fresh'.
उनके जन्मदिवस के उपलक्ष्य में प्रकाशित ग्रंथ उनके कृतित्व का विस्तृत लेखा-जोखा है।
The volume published on his birthday is a detailed account of his life's work.
'Krititva' means 'life's work/creations'.
समाज के वंचित वर्गों के लिए उनका जन्मदिवस आशा की एक नई किरण लेकर आता है।
For the underprivileged sections of society, his birthday brings a new ray of hope.
'Vanchit varg' means 'underprivileged classes'.
जन्मदिवस की स्मृतियाँ कालक्रम के अनुसार धुंधली होती जाती हैं, परंतु प्रभाव स्थायी रहता है।
Memories of birthdays fade with time, but the impact remains permanent.
'Kaalkram' means 'chronological order'.
Synonymes
Antonymes
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— Many many congratulations on your birthday. This is a standard, polite way to wish someone.
चाचाजी, आपको जन्मदिवस की बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
— Happy Birthday. 'Muabrak' is an Urdu word meaning 'blessed' or 'congratulations'.
दोस्त, तुम्हें जन्मदिवस मुबारक!
— Heartfelt best wishes on your birthday. Very formal and respectful.
गुरुजी, आपको जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।
— To give a party on one's birthday. Common social expectation.
क्या तुम इस बार जन्मदिवस पर पार्टी दे रहे हो?
— To forget a birthday. Usually leads to apologies.
माफ़ करना, मैं तुम्हारा जन्मदिवस भूल गया।
— A birthday feast or dinner. 'Daavat' implies a grand meal.
आज रात जन्मदिवस की दावत है।
— A birthday card. Still popular in formal circles.
मैंने उसे एक सुंदर जन्मदिवस का कार्ड भेजा।
— Birthday memories. Looking back at past celebrations.
बचपन के जन्मदिवस की यादें बहुत प्यारी हैं।
— Birthday celebration/festival. Used for grand events.
गाँव में जन्मदिवस का उत्सव मनाया गया।
— The date of the birthday. Used in administrative contexts.
कृपया अपने जन्मदिवस की तिथि लिखें।
Souvent confondu avec
Saalgirah is usually for anniversaries, but some use it for birthdays. Use Janmadivas for a more Hindi/Sanskrit feel.
Jayanti is only for dead heroes or gods. Never use it for a living person's birthday.
Dinank means 'date'. Janmadivas is the 'day' (event). You ask for Janm-Dinank on a form.
Expressions idiomatiques
— A birthday as beautiful as the moon. Used poetically to describe a lovely day.
आपका जन्मदिवस चाँद जैसा चमकता रहे।
Poetic— A companionship of many births. Not about a specific birthday, but uses the root 'Janma'.
हमारा रिश्ता जन्म-जन्म का साथ है।
Romantic/Spiritual— Progressing by leaps and bounds. A common blessing given on birthdays.
जन्मदिवस पर आशीर्वाद है कि तुम दिन दूनी रात चौगुनी तरक्की करो।
Traditional Blessing— To bloom like flowers. A metaphor used in birthday wishes for health and happiness.
इस जन्मदिवस पर आप फूलों जैसे खिलते रहें।
Literary— To live for a hundred years. The standard longevity blessing.
जन्मदिवस मुबारक हो, तुम सौ साल जियो!
Informal— A shower of happiness. Used to describe a very lucky birthday.
आपके जन्मदिवस पर खुशियों की बौछार हो।
Formal— To shine like stars. A wish for fame and success on a birthday.
अगले जन्मदिवस तक तुम सितारों जैसा चमको।
Inspirational— To get a new life/birth. Used when someone survives a great danger.
एक्सीडेंट के बाद उसे नया जन्म मिला है।
Metaphorical— To give one's own life span to another. A deep emotional wish.
मेरी उम्र भी तुम्हें लग जाए, जन्मदिवस मुबारक!
Emotional/Informal— A very traditional blessing for prosperity and progeny, often given to women on birthdays.
दादी ने उसे आशीर्वाद दिया: दूधों नहाओ पूतों फलो।
Archaic/RuralFacile à confondre
Means 'day', similar to 'Din'.
Divas is formal/Sanskrit; Din is common/neutral. You use Divas in specific compounds like 'Janmadivas'.
आज योग दिवस है। (Today is Yoga Day.)
Colloquial version of Janma.
Janam is used in songs and casual talk; Janma is the formal root used in Janmadivas.
मेरा जनम यहाँ हुआ।
Also means anniversary/birthday.
Saalgirah is Urdu-origin and strongly associated with wedding anniversaries in modern Hindi.
शादी की सालगिरह मुबारक!
Means 'date'.
Tithi specifically refers to the lunar calendar date used in religious rituals.
आज कौन सी तिथि है?
Means anniversary.
Literally 'year-knot'. Used for birthdays of elders or institution anniversaries.
स्कूल की स्वर्ण वर्षगाँठ।
Structures de phrases
आज [Possessive] जन्मदिवस है।
आज मेरा जन्मदिवस है।
[Possessive] जन्मदिवस [Time] को है।
उसका जन्मदिवस कल को है।
मैं अपना जन्मदिवस [Place] में मनाऊंगा।
मैं अपना जन्मदिवस होटल में मनाऊंगा।
जन्मदिवस के अवसर पर [Action] किया गया।
जन्मदिवस के अवसर पर भोज आयोजित किया गया।
[Name] के [Age]वें जन्मदिवस पर [Event] हुआ।
पिताजी के साठवें जन्मदिवस पर बड़ा उत्सव हुआ।
जन्मदिवस की सार्थकता [Concept] में है।
जन्मदिवस की सार्थकता परोपकार में है।
क्या आप [Possessive] जन्मदिवस पर आएंगे?
क्या आप मेरे जन्मदिवस पर आएंगे?
जन्मदिवस की [Adjective] शुभकामनाएँ।
जन्मदिवस की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएँ।
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Common in formal speech, news, and literature.
-
Using 'Meri' with Janmadivas.
→
Mera Janmadivas.
Janmadivas is masculine, so the possessive pronoun must be masculine.
-
Saying 'Janmadivas Mubarak ho ki...'
→
Janmadivas की शुभकामनाएँ।
The grammar of 'Mubarak' and 'Shubhkamnaye' is different. Don't mix them up.
-
Using 'Jayanti' for a friend.
→
Janmadivas.
Jayanti is reserved for deities and national heroes, not for regular people.
-
Misspelling as 'Janamdivas'.
→
Janmadivas (जन्मदिवस).
While 'Janam' is a word, the formal compound uses the Sanskrit 'Janma' with a conjunct 'nm'.
-
Using 'Saalgirah' for a formal Hindu religious birthday.
→
Janmadivas.
In a formal or religious Hindu context, the Sanskrit-derived 'Janmadivas' is more appropriate than the Persian 'Saalgirah'.
Astuces
Gender Check
Always remember 'Janmadivas' is masculine. This is the most common mistake for beginners. 'Mera' not 'Meri'.
Elder Respect
When wishing an elder, use 'Aapka' and the formal 'Janmadivas' to show proper respect (Tehzeeb).
Root Recognition
Learn 'Janma' and 'Divas' separately. 'Janma' will help you with words like 'Janmabhoomi' (birthplace) and 'Divas' with 'Swatantrata Divas' (Independence Day).
Social Media
On Facebook or Instagram, using 'Janmadivas ki shubhkamnaye' with a nice Hindi font is considered very elegant.
The Soft 'V'
Make sure the 'v' in 'divas' isn't too explosive. It should be a gentle touch of teeth to lips.
Conjunct Letters
Practice writing the 'nm' conjunct in 'Janma'. It's a vertical half-n joined to the left of 'ma'.
TV News
Watch Hindi news on national holidays or leader's birthdays to hear 'Janmadivas' used in a high-formal context.
Hinglish Balance
It's okay to say 'Happy Birthday' in casual settings, but knowing 'Janmadivas' makes you a more versatile speaker.
Sanskrit Connection
If you know other Indian languages like Marathi or Gujarati, you'll find 'Janmadivas' is used there too!
The Calendar Trick
Label your Hindi calendar with 'Janmadivas' for all family birthdays to keep the word fresh in your mind.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Janma' as 'Germinate' (both start with birth/growth) and 'Divas' as 'Diva' (someone who shines on their 'day'). A birthday is the day you germinate and shine!
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant SUN (Divas) rising over a small BABY (Janma). The sun represents the day, and the baby represents the birth.
Word Web
Défi
Try to write down the birthdays of five family members in Hindi using the sentence: '[Name] का जन्मदिवस [Date] को है।'
Origine du mot
Janmadivas is a 'Tatsama' word, meaning it is borrowed directly from Sanskrit into Hindi without modification. Sanskrit is the ancient Indo-Aryan language that serves as the root for many modern Indian languages.
Sens originel : In Sanskrit, 'Janma' comes from the root 'Jan', meaning 'to produce' or 'to be born'. 'Divas' comes from the root 'Div', meaning 'to shine', which evolved to mean 'day'.
Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Indo-Aryan -> Sanskrit -> Hindi.Contexte culturel
When wishing someone, be aware of their religious background. While 'Janmadivas' is neutral, some might prefer 'Saalgirah' (Muslim context) or simply 'Happy Birthday'.
In English-speaking countries, birthdays are centered around the individual's desires. In India, a Janmadivas is often seen as a day to express gratitude to parents and God.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Social Media
- Happy Birthday!
- Stay blessed.
- Lots of love.
- Have a great year.
Family Gathering
- Where is the cake?
- Whose birthday is it?
- Open the gifts.
- Sing a song.
Office Setting
- Treat from your side?
- Happy birthday, sir/ma'am.
- We have a small cake in the breakroom.
- Best wishes for the year ahead.
Official Documents
- Date of birth.
- Place of birth.
- Birth certificate.
- Age proof.
School/College
- When is the party?
- I forgot my treat.
- Today is a holiday for him.
- Happy birthday buddy.
Amorces de conversation
"आपका जन्मदिवस साल के किस महीने में आता है?"
"क्या आप अपना जन्मदिवस मनाना पसंद करते हैं?"
"आपके पिछले जन्मदिवस पर सबसे अच्छा उपहार क्या था?"
"आपके देश में जन्मदिवस कैसे मनाया जाता है?"
"क्या आप अपने जन्मदिवस पर पार्टी देंगे?"
Sujets d'écriture
अपने सबसे यादगार जन्मदिवस के बारे में लिखें। आपने क्या किया और किसके साथ थे?
यदि आपको अपने जन्मदिवस पर कोई भी उपहार मिल सके, तो वह क्या होगा और क्यों?
जन्मदिवस मनाने के पारंपरिक और आधुनिक तरीकों के बीच अंतर स्पष्ट करें।
क्या आपको लगता है कि बड़े होने पर जन्मदिवस का उत्साह कम हो जाता है? अपने विचार लिखें।
अपने अगले जन्मदिवस के लिए अपनी योजनाओं के बारे में विस्तार से लिखें।
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is a masculine noun. You should use masculine modifiers like 'mera' (my) and 'achha' (good). For example: 'Mera janmadivas achha raha' (My birthday was good).
While people will understand you, it's better to say 'Janmadivas ki shubhkamnaye' (Hindi) or just 'Happy Birthday' (English). Mixing the two sounds like Hinglish.
'Janmadin' is the common, everyday word for birthday. 'Janmadivas' is more formal and respectful. Use 'Janmadivas' for elders, teachers, or in writing.
It is written as जन्मदिवस. Note the half 'n' (न्) attached to 'ma' (म).
Yes, many include traditional rituals like visiting a temple, seeking blessings from elders, and avoiding meat, alongside modern traditions like cake cutting.
In Urdu-influenced Hindi, yes. However, in modern Standard Hindi, 'Saalgirah' is almost exclusively used for wedding anniversaries.
The word 'shubhkamnaye' (wishes) is feminine plural. In Hindi, the possessive 'ki' agrees with the noun that follows it (the wishes), not the birthday itself.
For historical figures or gods, 'Jayanti' is more appropriate (e.g., Gandhi Jayanti). 'Janmadivas' is typically for living people.
You can ask: 'आप कितने साल के हो गए?' (How many years have you become?).
A common blessing is 'Jiyo hazaron saal' (May you live thousands of years).
Teste-toi 200 questions
Write a formal sentence wishing your teacher a happy birthday.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 3 sentences about how you celebrate your birthday.
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Translate: 'When is your brother's birthday?'
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Describe a traditional Indian birthday ritual in Hindi.
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Write a short invitation for your birthday party.
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How do you say 'My birthday was very grand'?
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Write a birthday wish for a friend using Hinglish.
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Translate: 'I am planning a surprise for her birthday.'
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What would you write on a birthday card for your mother?
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Translate: 'Today is the 50th birthday of my father.'
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Write a sentence using the word 'Varshganth'.
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Translate: 'Birthday memories are very sweet.'
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Write a sentence using 'Janm-tithi'.
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Translate: 'May you live long.'
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Write a sentence about a birthday cake.
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Translate: 'I received many gifts on my birthday.'
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Write a sentence using 'Janmabhoomi'.
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Translate: 'We celebrated his birthday with simplicity.'
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Write a wish for a newborn baby's first birthday.
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Translate: 'When is the next birthday?'
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Pronounce: जन्मदिवस (Jan-ma-di-vas).
Read this aloud:
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Say 'Happy Birthday' in formal Hindi.
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Tell someone when your birthday is.
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Ask a friend if they are having a party.
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Give a short speech wishing a respected elder.
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Pronounce: शुभकामनाएँ (Shubh-kaam-na-ye).
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Say: 'Today is my brother's first birthday.'
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Explain why you like birthdays in Hindi.
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Say: 'Thank you for the birthday wishes.'
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Ask: 'What gift do you want for your birthday?'
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Pronounce: उपलक्ष्य (Up-laksh-ya).
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Say: 'Yesterday was a very good day.'
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Say: 'May you live a hundred years.'
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Ask: 'Where are you celebrating your birthday?'
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Say: 'I am very happy today.'
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Pronounce: वर्षगाँठ (Varsh-ganth).
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Say: 'I am inviting you to my party.'
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Say: 'The cake was very sweet.'
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Say: 'May all your dreams come true.'
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Say: 'Heartfelt congratulations.'
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Identify the word 'Janmadivas' in this audio clip: [Audio of someone saying 'Aaj mera janmadivas hai'].
Listen to the wish: 'Janmadivas ki hardik shubhkamnaye'. What kind of wish is it?
Listen to the sentence: 'Kal mera janmadivas tha'. When was the birthday?
Listen to the sentence: 'Hum agle hafte party karenge'. When is the party?
Listen to the word: 'Upahaar'. What does it mean?
Listen to the sentence: 'Aapka janmadivas kab hai?'. What is being asked?
Listen to the sentence: 'Mera bhai dus saal ka ho gaya'. How old is the brother?
Listen to the word: 'Manana'. What action does it refer to?
Listen to the sentence: 'Cake bahut bada tha'. How was the cake?
Listen to the wish: 'Jiyo hazaron saal'. What is the wish?
Listen to the sentence: 'Main tumhara janmadivas bhool gaya'. What happened?
Listen to the word: 'Samaroh'. What does it mean?
Listen to the sentence: 'Hum mandir jayenge'. Where are they going?
Listen to the sentence: 'Aaj bahut khushi ka din hai'. Why is today special?
Listen to the word: 'Badhai'. What does it mean?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'Janmadivas' is your go-to term for expressing birthday wishes in a polite, formal, or traditional setting. Remember that it is masculine and usually paired with the verb 'manānā' (to celebrate). Example: 'आपका जन्मदिवस शुभ हो' (May your birthday be auspicious).
- Janmadivas is the formal Hindi term for 'birthday', combining the Sanskrit roots for 'birth' and 'day'.
- It is a masculine noun, requiring masculine agreement in adjectives and pronouns (e.g., 'Mera Janmadivas').
- While 'Janmadin' is common, 'Janmadivas' is preferred in formal writing, invitations, and official greetings.
- Culturally, it marks a significant personal and spiritual milestone often celebrated with both modern and traditional rituals.
Gender Check
Always remember 'Janmadivas' is masculine. This is the most common mistake for beginners. 'Mera' not 'Meri'.
Elder Respect
When wishing an elder, use 'Aapka' and the formal 'Janmadivas' to show proper respect (Tehzeeb).
Root Recognition
Learn 'Janma' and 'Divas' separately. 'Janma' will help you with words like 'Janmabhoomi' (birthplace) and 'Divas' with 'Swatantrata Divas' (Independence Day).
Social Media
On Facebook or Instagram, using 'Janmadivas ki shubhkamnaye' with a nice Hindi font is considered very elegant.
Exemple
आज मेरा जन्मदिवस है।
Contenu associé
Plus de mots sur family
आबाद
B1Habité, prospère ; peuplé et florissant.
आँचल
B1Le pan du sari (symbole de la protection maternelle).
आचरण
B1The way a person behaves; conduct.
आँगन
A2Une cour intérieure non couverte au centre d'une maison. L'aangan est le cœur de la vie domestique indienne.
आंगन
A2La cour intérieure de la maison.
आग्रह करना
B1Prier instamment quelqu'un de faire quelque chose.
आज्ञा
B1Un ordre ou une permission formelle.
आज्ञा का पालन करना
B1Obéir aux ordres ou aux commandements.
आज्ञा मानना
A2Obéir à un ordre ou à une règle. (Il a obéi à son père. / Elle doit obéir aux lois.)
आज्ञा पालन करना
B1Obéir