sünnipäev

Sünnipäev is the Estonian word for a birthday, the annual date on which a person was born. The word is formed from sünni, meaning birth, and päev, meaning day. A sünnipäev marks the anniversary of a person’s birth and is typically celebrated with family and friends. Common elements include a birthday cake with candles to be blown out, and the often sung birthday song Palju õnne sünnipäevaks. Gifts, cards, and well-wishes are also customary, and the person whose birthday is being celebrated is usually the focal point of the day.

In Estonia, birthdays are widely observed across different ages, and they are generally considered separate from name days, which exist in Estonian culture but are less central. Celebrations vary by family and by age: children's birthdays frequently involve parties, decorations, games, and themes; adult celebrations are commonly more modest, but may include gatherings at home, at work, or with friends.

There is no national holiday on personal birthdays, but the practice of marking the day with a cake and candles is a common cultural touchstone. The concept of a sünnipäev aligns with broader European customs of celebrating the anniversary of birth, emphasizing personal well-wishes, social connection, and the expression of good tidings for the year ahead.