When someone has a birthday or shares good news, you want to sound warm and natural. Learners often translate directly and say "Many happy congratulations on your birthday," "I am proud on you," or "Thank you for the gift, it is very nice thing." Others say "Congratulations" for a birthday, which sounds odd to Americans. Today you learn what Americans say for birthdays, for good news, for throwing a party, and for giving and receiving gifts. In this episode: • Birthday basics • The cake and the party • Congratulating on good news • Giving and receiving gifts • Invented scene: a surprise for mom • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Happy birthday! — the standard birthday wish (neutral) Happy birthday, Grandma! Hope it's a great one. — a warm wish (casual) How old are you turning? — what age is it this year? (casual) She's turning ten. — she will be ten (neutral) The big four-oh! — a fortieth birthday (casual) Have a great day! — a simple, kind wish (neutral) Make a wish! — think of a secret wish before the candles (casual) Blow out the candles. — use your breath to put out the flames (neutral) Let's sing! — time for the birthday song (casual) Who wants a piece of cake? — offering cake (casual) We're throwing a party. — we're hosting a party (casual) It's a surprise party. — the guest of honor doesn't know (neutral) Don't tell her! — keep the secret (casual) Surprise! — what everyone shouts when the person walks in (casual) Congrats! — a short, casual congratulations (casual) Congratulations! — the full form (neutral) Way to go! — great job (casual) Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.