Friends & datingIntermediate
A surprise birthday party: what to say in English
What to say when surprising a friend for their birthday.
Full script
Lin
Surprise! Happy birthday!
Them
Oh wow! I had no idea!
Lin
Really? You looked so shocked!
Them
Totally. Especially since you posted the plan in our group chat.
Lin
Wait... you're in that group?
Them
It's called "Birthday for Amy." I'm Amy.
Lin
Okay. Act surprised again. We didn't get it on video.
Them
Oh wow! I had no idea!
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Must-know
✓ Surprise! Happy birthday!Say this first
Shout this when you jump out
Play along
✓ I had no idea!A perfect fake reaction
have no idea = really didn't know
Save this
✓ Act surprised again.Do the surprise face again.
act + adjective = pretend to be…
Common
✓ We didn't get it on video.We didn't film it.
get it on video = record it
Quick answers
Must-know: what to say in English
Say “Surprise! Happy birthday!” — say this first. Shout this when you jump out.
Play along: what to say in English
Say “I had no idea!” — a perfect fake reaction. have no idea = really didn't know.
Save this: what to say in English
Say “Act surprised again.” — do the surprise face again. act + adjective = pretend to be….
Common: what to say in English
Say “We didn't get it on video.” — we didn't film it. get it on video = record it.