贺寿 is a formal, respectful verb meaning 'to celebrate someone's birthday,' especially for elders or people of high status. The character 贺 (hè) means 'to congratulate' or 'to celebrate,' while 寿 (shòu) means 'longevity' or 'birthday'—literally 'life span.' Together, they convey the idea of honoring and wishing long life, not just marking a calendar date. This term carries strong cultural weight in Chinese tradition, where respecting elders and celebrating longevity are deeply valued.

贺寿 is commonly used during milestone birthdays—such as the 60th, 70th, or 80th—and often involves rituals like presenting red envelopes, longevity peaches (shòu táo), or calligraphy scrolls with auspicious characters. It appears in written invitations, formal speeches, and news reports about public figures’ birthdays. Unlike casual terms like 过生日 (guò shēngrì), 贺寿 implies reverence, ceremony, and intergenerational respect.