What is birthday? Pronunciation and usage in English

birthday means . Learn how to pronounce and use birthday through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of birthday

birthdaynoun

/ˈbəːθdeɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of birthday

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "birthday" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here’s a good guide:

1. The Sounds:

  • "birth": This part is fairly straightforward. It sounds like "berth" – like the bed you sleep in. So, it’s pronounced: "berth"
  • "day": This part is very clear: "day"

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word blends these two parts together. Here’s the breakdown of how to say it:

  • "berth-day"

3. Key Points & Tips:

  • The "th" sound in "birth": Make sure you’re pronouncing it like the 'th' in "thin" or "this," not like the 't' in "top."
  • Slight Emphasis: There's a very slight emphasis on the first syllable ("berth").
  • Don't over-elongate: It's a quick and snappy word.

Resources to Listen:

  • Google Search: Type "how to pronounce birthday" into Google. You'll get audio clips to hear it.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/birthday/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce birthday" – you'll find many videos.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, would you like me to:

  • Pronounce it slowly for you?
  • Compare it to a similar-sounding word to help you differentiate?

Usage and examples with the word birthday in English

Let's break down how to use the word "birthday" in English! It's a pretty common word, but there are nuances to how you use it.

1. Basic Definition:

  • Birthday means the day you were born. It's the anniversary of your arrival into the world.

2. Common Phrases & Uses:

  • "It's my birthday!" - This is the most common way to announce you're celebrating your birthday.
  • "Happy birthday!" - This is the standard greeting you give someone on their birthday.
  • "Have a happy birthday!" – A slightly more formal version of "Happy birthday!"
  • "I'm turning [age] on my birthday." - Example: "I'm turning 30 on my birthday."
  • "When's your birthday?" - Asking about someone's birthday.
  • "I'm celebrating my birthday this weekend." – Indicating you’re having a party or special event.
  • "I love birthdays!" – Expressing a general fondness for birthdays.

3. Different Ways to Celebrate (related to birthdays):

  • Birthday party: A gathering of people to celebrate.
  • Birthday cake: A cake decorated to celebrate the birthday.
  • Birthday presents: Gifts given to someone on their birthday.
  • Birthday card: A card sent to someone on their birthday.

4. Examples in Sentences:

  • "My little sister is turning five this year, so we’re having a big birthday party."
  • “Can you send me a text on your birthday?”
  • “I always remember my birthday and how my parents celebrated it when I was a child.”
  • “She received many birthday cards from her friends and family.”

5. Formality:

  • “Birthday” is generally considered an informal word. You’d use it in casual conversation with friends and family. If you're writing a formal letter or email, you might consider using “the day of one's birth” (though this is very rarely used).

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific usage of “birthday” (e.g., when it's used in a song)?
  • Help you create a sentence using "birthday"?

Synonyms for the word birthday

Idioms of the word birthday

in your birthday suit
(humorous)not wearing any clothes

    Practice with vocabulary birthday

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. She baked a cake for her sister’s __________ last weekend.
    2. The meeting was postponed because the manager had to attend a family event.
    3. We celebrated his __________ with a surprise party at the park.
    4. The store offered a special discount on __________ cards and candles.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. What is the occasion when someone celebrates the day they were born?
      a) Anniversary
      b) Birthday
      c) Graduation
      d) Retirement

    2. Which of the following are common traditions for celebrating this event? (Choose all that apply.)
      a) Blowing out candles
      b) Exchanging gifts
      c) Singing a special song
      d) Writing a report

    3. What word refers to the yearly return of the date of an event?
      a) Birthday
      b) Anniversary
      c) Festival
      d) Holiday

    4. Which of the following is NOT typically associated with this celebration?
      a) Cake
      b) Balloons
      c) Tax documents
      d) Presents

    5. What is a synonym for "celebration"?
      a) Commemoration
      b) Birthday
      c) Reunion
      d) Ceremony

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: They had a party to mark the day he was born.
      Rewrite: They threw a __________ party for him.

    2. Original: She received many gifts on her special day.
      Rewrite: She got a lot of presents for her __________.

    3. Original: We commemorated the anniversary of the event with a dinner.
      Rewrite: We celebrated the __________ with a special meal.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1:

    1. birthday
    2. family event
    3. birthday
    4. birthday

    Exercise 2:

    1. b) Birthday
    2. a) Blowing out candles, b) Exchanging gifts, c) Singing a special song
    3. b) Anniversary
    4. c) Tax documents
    5. a) Commemoration

    Exercise 3:

    1. They threw a birthday party for him.
    2. She got a lot of presents for her birthday.
    3. We celebrated the anniversary with a special meal.

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