Italian Phrase
È una festa di compleanno.
Meaning
A simple declarative sentence stating that something is a birthday party. It can be used to describe an event, answer a question about what is happening, or introduce a celebration.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell someone that an event you’re talking about is a birthday party, for example in response to “Che cosa c’è?” or when you’re describing the occasion on an invitation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èunafestadicompleanno.
È (essere)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *essere* (to be). It contracts the accent to indicate the verb, not the conjunction *e*.
una (indefinite article)
Feminine singular indefinite article, used before a feminine noun like *festa*.
festa (noun)
A feminine noun meaning “party” or “celebration”.
di (preposition)
Shows a relationship, here “of” – *di compleanno* = “of birthday”.
compleanno (noun)
Masculine singular noun meaning “birthday”.
🗨In Conversation
Che cosa c’è stasera?
What’s happening tonight?
È una festa di compleanno.
It’s a birthday party.
✕Common Mistakes
È un festa di compleanno.
The noun *festa* is feminine, so the article must be *una*, not *un*.
È un festa di compleanno.
The article must agree in gender with *festa*; also the accent on *è* signals the verb, not the conjunction *e*.
È una festa di il compleanno.
When *di* is followed by a masculine noun, the article contracts to *del*; however, the idiomatic expression is *di compleanno* (no article).
↔Alternatives
Stiamo facendo una festa di compleanno.
We’re having a birthday party.
C’è una festa di compleanno.
There is a birthday party.
È una festa per il compleanno.
It’s a party for the birthday.
Cultural Tip
In Italy birthday parties often start with a *torta* (cake) and the singing of “Tanti auguri a te”. Guests usually bring a small gift, and it’s common to toast with *spumante* or *prosecco*. The phrase is informal but perfectly acceptable in most social contexts; for a very formal invitation you might say “È una celebrazione per il compleanno”.