I recently celebrated a milestone birthday and, in the process, discovered just how many different ways there are to congratulate someone in Swedish. There turns out to be a surprisingly wide range of expressions—some familiar and straightforward, others rather unexpected and even a bit strange.

How to say happy birthday in Swedish

The most common way to say happy birthday in Swedish is “grattis på födelsedagen,” often shortened to “grattis.” More formal options include “hjärtliga lyckönskningar” and “gratulationer på bemärkelsedagen.”

The oddest expression, however, must be “ha den äran,” which translates—rather strangely and quite literally—as “have the honour.”

And if that isn’t peculiar enough, there is the Swedish birthday song. Or is it really a happy one? To me, it feels somewhat macabre. The lyrics contain joking references to shooting, hanging, and drowning the person being celebrated. The song is widely believed to have originated as a drinking song before becoming associated with birthdays in the mid-20th century.

The Swedish happy birthday song, “Ja, må han leva,” is well known for these surprisingly dark lyrics, which today are sung playfully rather than literally.

Note: The traditional Swedish birthday song includes humorous but dark lyrics involving mock threats. This reflects its historical origins and is meant playfully.

You can listen to the Swedish birthday song on Spotify to get the melody as well. If you’re celebrating a special day in Sweden, I hope you enjoy it—and watch out for wheelbarrows!

Birthday cake in Sweden

In Sweden, it is common for the birthday person to bring cake to work on their birthday. This tradition often surprises newcomers, as colleagues usually expect to be treated rather than hosting the celebration themselves.

Princesstårta: Sweden’s Most Popular Birthday Cake

The Princesstårta is by far the most popular cake for birthday celebrations. It was named in honour of three princesses who were said to be particularly fond of it. The cake is a layered creation filled with pastry cream, raspberry jam, and whipped cream. A distinctive green layer of marzipan covers the cake, and it is traditionally decorated with pink marzipan roses and a light dusting of icing sugar. It is a delicious addition to any birthday celebration.

And if you want to take things one step further and bake your own, there is a “bake your own birthday cake” guide by blogger Busra. Enjoy—and good luck!

FAQ: Birthdays in Sweden

Q: What do Swedes say on birthdays?
Swedes usually say “grattis” or “grattis på födelsedagen.”

Q: Is the Swedish birthday song violent?
The lyrics jokingly reference mock violence, reflecting the song’s historical origins as a drinking song.

Q: What cake is traditional for Swedish birthdays?
Princesstårta is the most popular birthday cake in Sweden.