Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
Bonne fête
English translation:
Happy Name Day
Added to glossary by
Heather Eason
May 20, 2006 20:50
18 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term
Fabrice
Bonne fête
Non-PRO
French to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Si aujourdhui est la saint Paul, on souhaite bonne fête à tous les Paul.
Y-a-t-il un equivalent en anglais?
Y-a-t-il un equivalent en anglais?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +2 | Happy Name Day |
Heather Eason
|
| 4 +1 | Name Day |
Sophia Finos (X)
|
| 4 +1 | Happy Saint's Day |
Paul Hirsh
|
| 4 -2 | Happy Birthday |
Karine Gentil
|
Proposed translations
+2
22 mins
Heather Eason
Native in English
Works in field
Integrity, flexibility, speed
Native in: English 
, Esperanto
Works in: French to English, Esperanto to English, English to Esperanto, and 1 more.
Selected
Happy Name Day
In UK English, the equivalent of Bonne Fête would be to wish someone a 'Happy Name Day'. It used to be 'Happy Feast Day', but 'Happy Name Day' has now superceded this.
But be careful because Name Days are not celebrated as a rule in traditionally Protestant countries. So, for example, if you need a translation into UK English, the idea of a name day is not so familiar, except within parts of the Roman Catholic community.
But be careful because Name Days are not celebrated as a rule in traditionally Protestant countries. So, for example, if you need a translation into UK English, the idea of a name day is not so familiar, except within parts of the Roman Catholic community.
Note from asker:
| Thanks for your kind explanations! |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks!"
+1
9 mins
Name Day
see link
-2
30 mins
Karine Gentil
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
accurate and precise, Delivered on time
Native in: English 
Works in: English to Haitian-Creole, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Happy Birthday
Usually Bonne Fete would be happy birthday but for this day it's Happy Saint xxx Day. Example Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
In the US only Saint Patrick's Day is observed and not the others.
I have found that only in European Roman Catholic countries and in Ireland the Saint days are respected. Lived two years in Spain and that's where I learned about it.
In the US only Saint Patrick's Day is observed and not the others.
I have found that only in European Roman Catholic countries and in Ireland the Saint days are respected. Lived two years in Spain and that's where I learned about it.
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
df49f (X)
: bonne fête se dit le jour de votre saint éponyme - et non pas le jour anniversaire de la naissance
37 mins
|
| neutral |
PB Trans
: You could say "Happy St. Paul's Day" although it's not as common (although Happy Name Day would be better). And yes, "bonne fête" is INDEED "Happy Birthday" in Canadian French. It's perfectly acceptable usage so no need for disagrees. :-)
14 hrs
|
| disagree |
Tony M
: Would definitely NOT be 'Happy Birthday!' here in France, since the given context makes it abundantly clear that we are indeed talking about the French usage for a saint's day.
19 hrs
|
+1
1 hr
Paul Hirsh
France
France
Native in English
Specializes in field
France
The Human Translator
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, Russian to English, Spanish to English, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
32
Happy Saint's Day
not an English custom
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
LJC (X)
: I agree it's not an English custom, so we wouldn't say anything.
9 mins
|
|
Thanks ! I'm pretty neutral about it too
|
|
| agree |
Tony M
: As we don't have the custom in the UK, I think this explicit answer would suitably convey the intended idea, just as we might say "Happy St Patrick's Day!"
18 hrs
|
|
Thanks ! That's what i thought, it avoids the puzzled response "what do you mean?"
|
Something went wrong...