What is the difference between "Belated happy birthday" and "happy belated birthday"? Is this a formal expression or not?
2023-04-19
This is what goPenpal answered
Hi there! First of all, both "Belated happy birthday" and "Happy belated birthday" mean the same thing - you're wishing someone a happy birthday even though it's been a little while since their actual birthday.
As for the order of the words, there isn't really a definitive answer as to which one is "correct." It really just boils down to personal preference. Some people prefer to say "Belated happy birthday" because it emphasizes the lateness of the wish. Others prefer "Happy belated birthday" because it sounds a bit smoother and more natural. Some people might also use one or the other depending on the context, like if they want to sound a bit more formal or informal.
Speaking of formality, these phrases are generally not considered to be very formal. They're more like casual greetings you might use among friends, family, or colleagues. If you wanted to be more formal, you might say something like "I hope you had a wonderful birthday" or "My apologies for the belated wish, but I wanted to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your special day."
At the end of the day though, the most important thing is to convey your warm wishes to the person you're greeting, regardless of the specific wording you use. So whether you say "Belated happy birthday" or "Happy belated birthday," don't worry too much - the sentiment is what really counts!
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