Birthday Party

Rahul's family hosts his birthday party at home, with friends over for cake, biryani, and games.

Meanings in Rahul, Sunita (mother), Friends

Key words and phrases

birthday cakea cake made to celebrate someone's birthdayThey cut the birthday cake together.

biryania flavorful rice dish cooked with spices and meat or vegetablesEveryone loved the biryani at the party.

tandoori chickenchicken marinated in spices and roasted in a clay ovenThe tandoori chicken was the highlight of the meal.

decorationsitems used to make a place look festiveThe room was full of colorful decorations.

candlessmall sticks of wax that are lit and blown out on a cakeHe blew out all the candles at once.

giftsomething given to celebrate an occasionHis friends brought him nice gifts.

inviteto ask someone to attend an eventHe invited all his classmates.

gamesfun activities played at a partyThey played fun games at the party.

make a wishto silently hope for something before blowing out candlesHe made a wish before blowing out the candles.

celebrationan event held to mark something specialIt was a joyful celebration for the whole family.

balloonsinflatable rubber decorations used at partiesWe blew up dozens of balloons for the party.

party hata cone-shaped hat worn by guests at a birthday partyEvery child at the party wore a colorful party hat.

surprisesomething unexpected and pleasantHis friends planned a surprise for his birthday.

hostthe person who organizes a party and welcomes the guestsAs the host, Rahul greeted every guest at the door.

RSVPto reply confirming whether you will attend an eventPlease RSVP by Friday so we know how many are coming.

return gifta small gift given to guests as a thank-you for comingWe handed out return gifts as guests were leaving.

birthday songthe song sung for the birthday person before cutting the cakeEveryone sang the birthday song before he cut the cake.

guest of honorthe special person for whom a party or event is heldAs the birthday boy, Rahul was the guest of honor.

venuethe place where an event is heldThey chose the garden as the venue for the party.

treatfood or sweets given to friends to celebrate somethingRahul gave his classmates a treat of chocolates.

Useful sentences

Ask What did you order for the birthday party?
Answer We ordered biryani and tandoori chicken.
Ask Who all did you invite?
Answer I invited all my classmates and cousins.
Ask Are you ready to blow out the candles?
Answer Yes, let me make a wish first.
Ask What games should we play at the party?
Answer Let's play musical chairs first.
Ask Did you like your birthday gifts?
Answer Yes, I loved all of them!
Ask Did you blow up the balloons for the party?
Answer Yes, my cousins helped me blow up all the balloons.
Ask Who is going to be the guest of honor?
Answer Well, it's my birthday, so I am the guest of honor!
Ask Have all your friends RSVP'd for the party?
Answer Most of them have, only two are still to confirm.
Ask Did you prepare return gifts for your friends?
Answer Yes, we packed small chocolate boxes as return gifts.
Ask Where is the party venue this year?
Answer We're hosting it in our garden this time.

Dialogue

SunitaRahul, the decorations are ready. How do they look?

RahulIt looks amazing, Mom! Did we order the biryani too?

SunitaYes, along with tandoori chicken for your friends.

FriendHappy birthday, Rahul! Here's a gift for you.

RahulThank you so much! Let's cut the cake together now.

SunitaMake a wish, Rahul, and blow out the candles!

RahulI made my wish! Now let's sing the birthday song together.

FriendHappy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!

SunitaEveryone, please come and try the treats before we start the games.

RahulDon't forget your return gifts before you leave!

Common mistakes

Saying "Cut the cake" without "the birthday cake" for clarity when introducing the topic, though "cut the cake" alone is fine once established.
Saying "I am inviting for party" instead of "I am inviting people to the party" (include what/who is being invited to).
Saying "Blow the candle" instead of "Blow out the candles" (use "blow out," the correct phrasal verb).
Saying "I did a party" instead of "I hosted a party" or "I had a party" (use "host" or "have," not "do," with "party").
Saying "come for my birthday" instead of "come to my birthday party" (use "to," not "for," when inviting someone to an event).
Saying "give return gift" instead of "give a return gift" or "give out return gifts" (don't forget the article).

Quick quiz

1. What do you call a flavorful rice dish cooked with spices and meat or vegetables?

2. Complete: "He made a ___ before blowing out the candles."

3. What word means chicken marinated in spices and roasted in a clay oven?

4. What do you call a small gift given to guests as a thank-you for coming?

5. Complete: "Have all your friends ___ for the party?"

6. What word means the special person for whom a party is held?

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