How do you say "To have a birthday" in Italian?

"To have a birthday" in Italian is "Compiere gli anni". This phrase is commonly used in Italy.

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How to Say ‘To have a birthday’ in Italian

Q: What does "Compiere gli anni" mean in English?

"Compiere gli anni" means "To have a birthday" in English. Usage tip: Italian says [compiere gli anni] or more often [fare gli anni] for "to have a birthday," not a word-for-word version of English [have]. This is a good reminder that age and birthdays often use different verbs in Italian.

Compiere gli anni

kom-PYEH-reh lyee AHN-nee

[kom-PYEH-reh lyee AHN-nee]

💬 Usage Tip: Italian says [compiere gli anni] or more often [fare gli anni] for "to have a birthday," not a word-for-word version of English [have]. This is a good reminder that age and birthdays often use different verbs in Italian.

Phrase Breakdown

Compiere

[kom-PYEH-reh]

to turn / to complete

Used with age and birthdays; part of the expression compiere gli anni.

Example

Domani voglio Compiere gli anni con la mia famiglia.

Tomorrow I want to celebrate my birthday with my family.

Gli anni

lyee AHN-nee

The years

Part of the fixed expression for saying someone is having a birthday.

Example

Compie gli anni oggi.

He/She has a birthday today.

Words in this phrase

gli

[lyee]

the

Masculine plural definite article used before certain plural nouns like anni.

Example

Gli amici arrivano presto alla festa.

The friends arrive early at the party.

anni

[AHN-nee]

years

Plural of anno; in this expression it refers to one's birthday/age.

Example

A luglio compio venticinque anni.

In July I turn twenty-five.

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