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So, you’ve got a b-day coming up and have no clue what to expect from a Balkan bash? What’s the etiquette? What should you bring? Worry not ‘cause we’re here to fill you in on it all — presents, customs, unspoken rules, and, of course, how to say happy birthday in Serbian.
Ready? Let’s start unwrapping!
First, let’s get the basics out of the way. Birthday is rođendan. So, happy birthday in Serbian is srećan rođendan.
Simple, right?
If you want to go the extra mile and impress the birthday person, try adding one of these classic wishes:
Naturally, you can freestyle it and say whatever comes from the heart. As long as it’s genuine, it’ll land right.
But whatever you do, don’t wish a Serb a happy birthday before the actual birthday. Celebrating on a later date is fine, but doing it before is thought to bring bad luck.
Now, onto the good stuff. What does a Serbian birthday party look like?
If there’s one thing Serbs know how to do, it’s throwing a proper birthday bash. Rođendanska proslava (birthday party) isn’t just a get-together — it’s something people look forward to all year long. Any excuse to gather friends and family, crank up the music, and indulge in food and rakija? Count us in!
In the past, birthday parties used to be more low-key, with homemade sandwiches and cake on the menu. Times have changed, and these days, birthday parties are leveling up.
Kids’ birthdays often take place in igraonice (playrooms) with balloons, face painting, entertainers, and full-on catering. No need to stress over tiny sandwiches and spilled juice when you can outsource the chaos, right?
Grown-ups, on the other hand, are swapping their living rooms for kafane and restaurants. Hosting at home means cooking all day, serving guests like a waiter, and then washing a mountain of dishes. No, hvala. It’s much easier (and more fun) to let someone else pour the drinks.
As a general rule, the birthday boy or girl (slavljenik or slavljenica) should cover the costs of their party. In return, guests are expected to bring presents and good vibes. A small gift and your sparkling presence go a long way. Still, if you’re partying in a bar, kafana, or club, it’s not a bad idea to offer to pay for a round or two.
In Serbia, not all birthdays are created equal. While every rođendan is a reason to raise a glass, two milestone birthdays take the cake — literally and figuratively.
The first birthday (prvi rođendan) is a big one. And we mean big. Many parents go all out with a full-blown celebration at a restaurant, complete with live music, a massive meal, and a cake big enough to feed a small army. The birthday baby may have no clue what’s going on, but hey — everyone else is having a blast!
The next major milestone is the eighteenth birthday (punoletstvo). That’s when young people officially become adults in Serbia. It’s a rite of passage, and it often looks more like a wedding than a birthday party — think 100+ guests, a fancy venue, a live band, and enough food to keep everyone dancing until dawn.
If you’re invited to any of these, here are a few pointers. It’s a fancy occasion, so you should dress accordingly. In other words, leave your tracksuit at home and wear something reasonably nice.
Second, the go-to present is an envelope with money, which helps cover the cost of the event and gives the birthday star a little something extra. Of course, a thoughtful gift is always welcome too. As Serbs love to say, poklonu se u zube ne gleda — you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth!
When it comes to birthday pokloni (gifts), there’s no one-size-fits-all rule. You can bring whatever you think your host will appreciate — a thoughtful book, a quirky mug with an inside joke, a gift card, or good old-fashioned cash in an envelope. Some people love handmade, personalized gifts, while others prefer something practical. The only real guideline? It should be from the heart (od srca).
But there is one birthday gift rule worth mentioning. If you give someone a wrapped present, don’t be surprised when they open it right away. That’s the norm in Serbia — no waiting until after the party or sneaky peeks later. You hand it over, they unwrap it, and you both get to enjoy the moment (and maybe laugh if it’s something silly or sweet).
And, of course, the response is simple yet essential: a warm and grateful hvala!
This quirky tradition is called vučenje za uši (ear pulling), and it’s meant to be a playful way of wishing the birthday boy or girl good health. The idea? The more tugs, the more they’ll grow, both in years and strength.
It’s cute with kids, but don’t be afraid to keep the tradition going with your Serbian friends, no matter their age. Just sneak up behind them, give their ears a good yank, and say, Da porasteš! (May you grow!)
No Serbian birthday party is complete without a cake (rođendanska torta) — the grand finale everyone looks forward to.
One crowd favorite is the classic Plazma torta — a no-bake wonder made with Plazma biscuits and creamy layers that taste like pure childhood nostalgia.
Baked by someone’s baka or ordered from a local poslastičarnica (cake shop), the cake is a big moment. Candles (svećice) are lit, cameras come out, and the birthday person makes a wish before blowing them out.
But don’t be surprised if things get messy. It’s common for guests to smear a bit of cream on the birthday person’s face — just for laughs and a great photo.
Last but not the least, here’s the b-day song — Serbian edition.
Danas nam je divan dan, divan dan, divan dan
(Today is a wonderful day, wonderful day, wonderful day)
Našoj (name) rođendan, rođendan, rođendan
(It’s our (name)’s birthday, birthday, birthday)
Živela, živela
(May she live long, may she live long)
I srećna nam bila
(And may she be happy)
Živela, živela
(May she live long, may she live long)
I srećna nam bila
(And may she be happy)
That’s the basic lyrics, and it’s the female version. If you’re celebrating a boy’s birthday (or want the full version for both), you can check out the full song here.
This party’s winding down, and you’re all set for the next time someone invites you to their big day. As you’ve seen, there’s nothing to stress about. All you need to do is show up in a good mood, say happy birthday in Serbian, and bring a thoughtful gift if you can.
Speaking of gift-giving, we’ve got a little something for you! Our Serbian worksheets are packed with fun, bite-sized lessons to help you sound like a local — birthday bash or not.
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