미리 생일 축하해
miri saeng-il chukahaeyo
Advance happy birthday in Korean is said as 미리 생일 축하해 (miri saeng-il chukahaeyo).
This phrase is used to wish someone a happy birthday before their actual birth date arrives.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 미리 means 'in advance' or 'beforehand'.
Which one should you use?
The default form 미리 생일 축하해 is the informal version, whereas other forms increase in politeness or formality depending on the listener.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the '요' (yo) ending to 미리 생일 축하해 makes the phrase polite. To express the highest level of respect in a formal or honorific way, use 미리 생일 축하드립니다.
How do you pronounce it?
miri saeng-il chukahaeyo
Did you know?
- If you wish someone a happy birthday in advance, you might also mention 미역국 (miyeok-guk), a seaweed soup traditionally eaten on birthdays in Korea.
- If you are celebrating a very senior person's birthday, you might replace 생일 with the honorific term 생신. Using 미리 생일 축하해 to a grandparent would be considered quite rude regardless of the 'advance' sentiment.
- The word 미리 first appeared in written records in the Yongbi eocheon'ga in 1447, one of the earliest works written in the Korean alphabet.
Examples in context
- [Name] 선생님, 생일 미리 축하드립니다.Teacher [Name], I wish you a happy birthday in advance.
- [Name]님, 생일 미리 축하드려요.Mr./Ms. [Name], I wish you a happy birthday in advance.
- [Name], 생일 미리 축하해![Name], I wish you a happy birthday in advance!
- [Name]야, 이제 생일을 미리 축하하자!Hey, [Name], let's celebrate your birthday in advance!
- 선생님, 생일 미리 축하드립니다. 5월 10일 생일을 미리 축하하면서, 기쁨으로 가득찬 하루 되시길 바랍니다.Teacher, I wish you a happy birthday in advance. May 10th be a day filled with joy.
- 미리 생일 축하해!miri saeng-il chuk-ha-hae!Advance happy birthday!
- 내일은 네 생일이니까 미리 생일 축하해.naeil-eun ne saeng-il-i-ni-ka mi-ri saeng-il chuk-ha-hae.Since tomorrow is your birthday, advance happy birthday.
- 친구야, 미리 생일 축하해!chin-gu-ya, mi-ri saeng-il chuk-ha-hae!Happy birthday in advance, friend!
Example conversation
Jihoon sends a message to Minji a day before her birthday.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지야, 미리 생일 축하해!Min-ji-ya, mi-ri saeng-il chuk-ha-hae!Minji, advance happy birthday!
- 민지 Min-ji고마워 지훈아! 감동이야.go-ma-wo Ji-hun-a! gam-dong-i-ya.Thanks Jihoon! I'm touched.
- 지훈 Ji-hun내일 맛있는 거 많이 먹어.naeil mas-it-neun geo man-i meok-eo.Eat lots of delicious food tomorrow.
- 민지 Min-ji응, 그럴게!eung, geu-reol-ge!Yeah, I will!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 미리, 생일, CC BY-SA 4.0.
