Birthday Songs & Traditions
Dutch birthdays come with their own unique traditions, songs, and social rituals. Knowing the birthday songs and customs will help you feel confident at any Dutch verjaardagsfeest (birthday party).
"Lang zal hij/zij leven" — The Main Birthday Song
The most important Dutch birthday song is "Lang zal hij/zij leven" (Long shall he/she live). It's sung at virtually every birthday party, from children's parties to office celebrations. The song is short, upbeat, and everyone joins in. You'll use "hij" (he) or "zij" (she) depending on the birthday person.
The song is traditionally sung right when the birthday person arrives at a party, or when the cake comes out. Everyone stands, sings together, and then congratulates the birthday person with "Gefeliciteerd!" followed by three kisses or a handshake.
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | English 🇬🇧 |
|---|---|
| Lang zal hij/zij leven! | Long shall he/she live! |
| in de gloria | in glory (part of the song) |
| Hip hip hoera! | Hip hip hooray! |
| Gefeliciteerd! | Congratulations! / Happy birthday! |
"Er is er een jarig" — The Children's Birthday Song
"Er is er een jarig, hoera, hoera!" (Someone is having a birthday, hooray, hooray!) is the other well-known Dutch birthday song. It's especially popular at children's parties, in schools, and at daycare (kinderopvang). It's cheerful and easy to learn.
Children also celebrate their birthday at school by handing out traktaties (treats) to all their classmates. The birthday child walks around the classroom with a decorated box or tray of treats — this is a big deal for Dutch kids!
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | English 🇬🇧 |
|---|---|
| Er is er een jarig! | Someone is having a birthday! |
| Hoera, hoera! | Hooray, hooray! |
| de traktatie | the birthday treat (given out at school) |
| de jarige | the birthday boy/girl |
| de verjaardag | the birthday |
The Circle Party (De Kring)
The classic Dutch birthday party is the "kringverjaardag" — a circle party. Guests sit in a large circle in the living room, and the birthday person (or their family) serves coffee, cake, and later drinks and snacks. You go around the circle congratulating everyone: not just the birthday person, but also their partner, parents, siblings, and close friends.
This tradition can feel unusual at first, but it's deeply ingrained in Dutch culture, especially among older generations and in more traditional families. Younger Dutch people sometimes joke about it, but the kring is still very much alive.
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | English 🇬🇧 |
|---|---|
| de kringverjaardag | the circle birthday party |
| Gefeliciteerd met je man/vrouw! | Congratulations on your husband/wife ('s birthday)! |
| de taart | the cake |
| een kopje koffie | a cup of coffee |
| de hapjes | the snacks / appetizers |
| de slingers | the garlands / streamers (decoration) |
Abraham & Sarah — Turning 50
Turning 50 is a major milestone in the Netherlands. When someone turns 50, they "see Abraham" (men) or "see Sarah" (women). Friends and family place a large inflatable or wooden figure of Abraham or Sarah in the front yard, often dressed in funny clothes. The house and office are decorated with banners saying "Abraham gezien!" or "Sarah gezien!"
This tradition comes from a Bible verse (John 8:57). There's often a big party with special decorations and sometimes even a personalized newspaper or book about the birthday person's life.
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | English 🇬🇧 |
|---|---|
| Hij heeft Abraham gezien! | He has seen Abraham! (He turned 50!) |
| Zij heeft Sarah gezien! | She has seen Sarah! (She turned 50!) |
| de Abraham / Sarah pop | the Abraham / Sarah doll (placed in the yard) |
| een halve eeuw | half a century |
Useful Birthday Vocabulary
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | English 🇬🇧 |
|---|---|
| Van harte gefeliciteerd! | Warm congratulations! / Happy birthday! |
| Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! | Happy birthday! |
| Hoeveel kaarsjes? | How many candles? |
| een cadeautje | a (small) gift |
| de verjaardagskalender | the birthday calendar (often in the bathroom!) |
| de verjaardagskaart | the birthday card |
| Fijne verjaardag! | Happy birthday! (Have a nice birthday!) |
| de feestmuts | the party hat |
| Proost op de jarige! | Cheers to the birthday person! |
Do's and Don'ts
✅ Do
- •Congratulate everyone at the party, not just the birthday person
- •Join in singing — enthusiasm matters more than perfect Dutch
- •Bring a small gift (cadeautje) or a birthday card (verjaardagskaart)
- •Expect coffee and cake first, then drinks and snacks later
❌ Don't
- •Don't forget to check the verjaardagskalender — forgetting a Dutch birthday is a big faux pas
- •Don't skip the congratulation round when you arrive at the party
- •Don't leave without saying goodbye to the birthday person and thanking them