Even Duolingo will tell you that
When you see an oblique form (i.e., a declined form) of a phrase, it is an indicator that it is often part of a longer phrase and one in which the declination makes grammatical sense.
So, maybe if I knew the fuller expressions of these Russian phrases, they would make more sense to me. Below you will find what confuses me about these phrases:
This latest exploration into Russian all began when I tried to figure out how to literally translate the phrase:
С днём рождения!
Happy Birthday!
word-for-word/literally. I then wondered why the "c" was even used at all. I then realized I really didn't know for sure what the literal meaning of this phrase was. I then noticed that
Happy Easter! ∼ Счастливой Пасхи!
I got to wondering, If this is a shortening of the longer phrase "I wish you a Happy Easter!"
Я желаю вам счастливой Пасхи!
then shouldn't "happy easter" be in accusative case? And if so, and Пасха is feminine, then why isn't Happy Easter!:
Cчастливую Пасху!
What case is "Счастливой Пасхи!" in? I am assuming both words are in the same case, but if I am mistaken, please let me know that, too.
Furthermore, if a form of the word "счастливый" is used to express "Happy Easter" why isn't it used when wishing one a "Happy Birthday"? Is Easter the only holiday that uses "счастливый" for a greeting such as this?
Happy New Year's appears to mirror the Happy Birthday construct with:
C новым год!
but again, how does this break down literally, and why not use a form of "счастливый" to express it?
Merry Christmas appears to use both forms if Reverso is any indicator
С Рождеством!
Счастливого Рождества!
but again I'm not entirely sure about the literal breakdown or use of case.
Are there any other holidays Russians typically front with "Merry" or "Happy"?