How can I say happy birthday in Italian, when I missed the initial date and therefore am late to congratulate?
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15
I think that a simple "auguri in ritardo" will do the job. Of course you can build on this.
"Scusami! Mi sono dimenticato di augurarti buon compleanno. Auguri in ritardo!"
Easymode44
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3I agree, "auguri in anticipo/ritardo" is probably the most common way to say it. – Old Man of Aran Nov 30 '18 at 12:32
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2Although I eventually used the turtle response from Alberto Moor, I felt like accepting this answer because it seems like the more general, formal one. – infinitezero Nov 30 '18 at 18:41
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If it's a friend's birthday, you can reply jokingly
Ho affidato i miei auguri per te ad una tartaruga... scusa il ritardo! Auguri!
or
La cattiva notizia è che ho dimenticato di spedire in tempo il tuo biglietto d'auguri. La buona notizia è che ho dimenticato la tua età! Spero che tu abbia passato un felice compleanno!
Alberto Moro
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If you are interested in an extended or humorous phrasing, other have already answered. The more straightforward ways to say “Happy belated birthday” are:
Buon compleanno in ritardo!
or
(Tanti) auguri (di buon compleanno) in ritardo!
DaG
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I use the slightly different "ritardati auguri".
You can find here a jokely list of wishes in case you are late.
user3664452
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4Ritardato in italiano is rarely used for “late”, while it also carries the meaning of “retard”... – DaG Nov 30 '18 at 17:53