aniversário
/ɐ.ni.veɾˈsa.ɾju/
Definition
The yearly celebration of the day someone was born, or the date something important first happened.
Example
Hoje é o aniversário da minha mãe.
Show translation
Today is my mother's birthday.
Etymology
From Latin *anniversarius*, meaning "returning yearly" — from *annus* (year) + *vertere* (to turn). The idea is a date that "turns around" once every year.
Cultural note
In Brazil, birthday celebrations are a big deal at all ages. The birthday person is typically serenaded with "Parabéns pra você" (the Brazilian equivalent of "Happy Birthday to You"). Notably, *aniversário* covers both birthdays AND anniversaries (e.g., a wedding anniversary is *aniversário de casamento*), unlike English, which uses separate words for each.