Introduction
Learning how to say your birthday in Brazilian Portuguese is a practical first step for beginners. This guide explains numbers, months, sentence patterns, and common phrases so you can tell the date, write it on forms, and talk about parties or invitations with confidence.
- Why learning to say your birthday matters
- Basic components: numbers and months
- How to say your birthday step by step
- Useful phrases and short dialogues
- Writing dates: formats you will see
- Pronunciation tips for beginners
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practice exercises for beginners
- Short practical phrases for invitations and messages
- Quick reference card (one-line examples)
- Tips to remember
- Conclusion
Why learning to say your birthday matters
Telling your birthday is one of the first pieces of personal information you give in any language. In Brazilian Portuguese, date formats and spoken patterns differ from English. Knowing the correct words helps with filling out forms, introducing yourself, responding to greetings, and understanding invitations.
Basic components: numbers and months
To say your birthday you need two elements: the day (number) and the month (mês). For years you can add the year if needed. Learn numbers 1–31 and the 12 months in Brazilian Portuguese.
Numbers 1–31 (important for days)
1 um
2 dois
3 três
4 quatro
5 cinco
6 seis
7 sete
8 oito
9 nove
10 dez
11 onze
12 doze
13 treze
14 quatorze
15 quinze
16 dezesseis
17 dezessete
18 dezoito
19 dezenove
20 vinte
21 vinte e um
22 vinte e dois
23 vinte e três
24 vinte e quatro
25 vinte e cinco
26 vinte e seis
27 vinte e sete
28 vinte e oito
29 vinte e nove
30 trinta
31 trinta e um
Months in Brazilian Portuguese
janeiro
fevereiro
março
abril
maio
junho
julho
agosto
setembro
outubro
novembro
dezembro
How to say your birthday step by step
There are two common spoken patterns: using the preposition em and using the word dia. Both are correct; one is more formal and the other more natural in conversation.
Pattern 1: Eu faço anos em + month + (day optional)
Use this when speaking about when your birthday occurs during the year. It focuses on the month.
Eu faço anos em maio.
Translation: I have my birthday in May.
To add the day: Eu faço anos em 12 de maio.
Example for a beginner: Eu faço anos em 5 de abril.
Meaning: My birthday is April 5.
Pattern 2: Meu aniversário é dia + day de + month
This is a direct and common way to say the exact date. It is clear and very useful for forms, invitations, and conversation.
Meu aniversário é dia 20 de agosto.
Meaning: My birthday is August 20.
Beginner example: Meu aniversário é dia 1 de janeiro.
Meaning: My birthday is January 1.
Pattern 3: Eu nasci em + date/year
Use this to say your birth date or year when giving more precise personal information.
Eu nasci em 10 de setembro de 1990.
Meaning: I was born on September 10, 1990.
Shorter: Eu nasci em setembro de 1990.
Meaning: I was born in September 1990.
Useful phrases and short dialogues
These short exchanges cover common situations where you might say your birthday.
Quando é o seu aniversário?
Meu aniversário é dia 14 de fevereiro.
Que dia você faz anos?
Eu faço anos em 3 de julho.
Quando você nasceu?
Eu nasci em 2 de novembro de 2001.
Writing dates: formats you will see
On forms in Brazil, dates are usually written day/month/year. Example formats you will encounter:
05/04/1995 — means 5 de abril de 1995
1/1/2000 — means 1 de janeiro de 2000
When filling a form, write the day first, then the month, then the year. If you speak the date, say dia + number + de + month.
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Pay attention to these sounds to be understood when saying dates.
de is pronounced like ‘jee’ in Brazilian Portuguese when linking: 12 de maio — doze de maio.
dia is pronounced DEE-ah; meu aniversário — MEH-oo ah-nee-vehr-SAH-ree-oh (approximate guide for English speakers).
focus on clear numbers: cinquenta vs cinco are different, but for days you only need 1–31 pronunciation clearly.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mixing month/day order with English. Remember: Portuguese day comes first when writing dates on forms.
Omitting de between day and month in speech. Say dia 12 de março, not dia 12 março.
Using European Portuguese vocabulary or pronunciation. Stick to Brazilian month names and pronunciation for Brazil contexts.
Practice exercises for beginners
Read each English prompt and say or write the Portuguese answer using one of the patterns above.
Prompt: My birthday is June 7.
Answer: Meu aniversário é dia 7 de junho.
Prompt: I was born on December 25, 1985.
Answer: Eu nasci em 25 de dezembro de 1985.
Prompt: When is her birthday? She: August 30.
Question: Quando é o aniversário dela?
Answer: O aniversário dela é dia 30 de agosto.
Short practical phrases for invitations and messages
Use these when talking about parties or asking about someone’s birthday.
Vamos comemorar meu aniversário no sábado.
Meaning: Let’s celebrate my birthday on Saturday.
Você vai ao meu aniversário?
Meaning: Are you coming to my birthday?
Parabéns pelo seu aniversário!
Meaning: Happy birthday to you!
Quick reference card (one-line examples)
Eu faço anos em maio — I have my birthday in May.
Meu aniversário é dia 15 de março — My birthday is March 15.
Eu nasci em 8 de julho de 1998 — I was born on July 8, 1998.
Tips to remember
Always learn months in Portuguese as single words; they rarely change in conversation.
When speaking include de between day and month: 10 de outubro.
Write dates day/month/year on Brazilian forms and be ready to say dia X de month when asked.
Conclusion
Mastering how to say your birthday in Brazilian Portuguese is a small but practical milestone. With numbers 1–31, the months, and three clear sentence patterns, you can confidently share your date of birth, fill out forms, and respond to invitations. Practice the example phrases and common dialogues until they feel natural.
