Bon Fet! (Haitian Creole)
One of the most common questions that Haitians get asked is, “how do you wish someone a happy birthday in Haitian Creole?”
To wish someone a happy birthday in Haitian Creole is pretty straightforward; you say “Bon Fet!”. That’s easy enough to remember, right?
Interestingly, saying “bon fet” does not translate into happy birthday in English. “Bon” means good, and “Fet” means party or celebration. So what you’re saying to the person is “have a good party or celebration.”
When specific phrases are translated from English to Haitian Creole, the actual message you’re trying to convey is often more important than the meaning of the words themselves.
Bon Anniversaire! (French)
Another common phrase that Haitians use to wish each other happy birthday is: “Bon Anniversaire.”
“Bon Anniversaire” is a french term that translates to “have a good anniversary.”
“Bon Fet” and “Bon Anniversaire” can be used interchangeably to wish Haitians well on their birthday. The phrases can also be used in both formal and informal settings.
Haitian Happy Birthday Songs
Two of the most popular happy birthday Haitian songs are by Alan Cave and Tabou Combo. You can find the Haitian happy birthday songs by doing a quick search for them on YouTube.