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Portuguese Phrase

Quando é o teu aniversário?

/ˈkwɐ̃.du ˈɛ u ˈtɛw a.ni.veɾˈsa.ɾju/
Meaning"When is your birthday?"
💡

Meaning

A direct, informal way to ask someone the date of their birthday. It assumes a friendly relationship and uses the informal possessive ‘teu’.

🎯

When to use

Use this question with friends, classmates, or anyone you address informally. In Brazil you would more likely hear ‘Quando é o seu aniversário?’; ‘teu’ is common in Portugal and in some regional dialects.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Quandoéoteuaniversário?

1

Quando (question word)

Used to ask about time or date; it does not change form.

2

é (ser, 3rd person singular)

The verb ‘ser’ is used for permanent or defining information, such as a date.

3

teu (possessive adjective, informal)

‘Teu’ means ‘your’ and is used in informal contexts, mainly in Portugal; in Brazil people usually say ‘seu’.

4

aniversário (noun)

Means ‘birthday’; it is masculine, so it takes the article ‘o’.

5

Article ‘o’ before a masculine noun

The definite article is required before ‘aniversário’ in this construction.

🗨In Conversation

A

Quando é o teu aniversário?

When is your birthday?

É no dia 12 de junho.

It’s on June 12th.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Quando é teu aniversário?

    The definite article ‘o’ is required before a masculine noun in this structure.

  • Quando são o teu aniversário?

    ‘São’ is the plural form of ‘ser’; the subject ‘aniversário’ is singular, so use ‘é’.

  • Quando é o seu aniversário?

    While grammatically correct, using ‘seu’ changes the register to formal; learners should match the level of familiarity.

↔Alternatives

  • Quando é o seu aniversário?

    When is your birthday? (formal)

  • Qual a data do teu aniversário?

    What’s the date of your birthday?

  • Em que dia fazes anos?

    On which day do you have your birthday?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Portuguese‑speaking cultures birthdays are often celebrated with a cake (bolo) and a small party. In Brazil it’s common to shout ‘Parabéns!’ and give a gift, while in Portugal the celebration may be more low‑key, often involving a family lunch. Remember that ‘teu’ is informal and mainly used in Portugal; Brazilian speakers usually prefer ‘seu’ unless they are very close friends.