Guide: How to Say Belated Happy Birthday in Korean

Whether you’ve missed someone’s birthday or want to send belated birthday wishes to a friend, it’s always thoughtful to convey your greetings in their native language. In Korean culture, expressing belated birthday wishes is a common occurrence, and there are various ways to convey your warm regards. This guide will provide you with essential phrases and tips to express “belated happy birthday” in formal and informal contexts in Korean.

1. Formal Ways to Say Belated Happy Birthday in Korean

If you’re in a more formal relationship or addressing someone older or in a higher position, using a polite language is essential. Here are a few phrases you can use to express belated birthday wishes formally:

“생일이 늦었지만 축하드려요.” (Saengil-i neuseotjiman chukhadeoryeoyo.)

This phrase translates to “Even though your birthday is late, I congratulate you.” It is a polite and respectful way to convey belated birthday wishes in Korean.

“생일이 늦은 건지 몰랐어요. 하지만 기억하고 있었어요. 생일 축하드려요.” (Saengil-i neun geonji mollasseoyo. Hajiman gieokhago isseosseoyo. Saengil chukhadeoryeoyo.)

This phrase translates to “I didn’t know your birthday was late, but I remembered. Happy belated birthday.” It is a more formal way to convey your belated birthday wishes while showing that you’ve remembered the special day.

2. Informal Ways to Say Belated Happy Birthday in Korean

When addressing friends, siblings, or people in a casual relationship, you can use informal language to express belated birthday wishes. Here are a few phrases for informal contexts:

“생일이 늦었지만 생일 축하해!” (Saengil-i neuseotjiman saengil chukhahae!)

This phrase translates to “Even though your birthday is late, happy birthday!” It is a friendly and casual way to convey belated birthday wishes in Korean.

“생일이 늦었지만 축하해!” (Saengil-i neuseotjiman chukhahae!)

This phrase translates to “Even though your birthday is late, congratulations!” It is another informal way to express your belated birthday greetings in a friendly manner.

3. Useful Tips and Examples

Here are a few helpful tips and examples to keep in mind when conveying belated birthday wishes in Korean:

• Be sincere: Regardless of the formality, sincerity is the key to conveying warm greetings, so make sure your words are heartfelt.
• Add a personal touch: Consider adding a personal message or memory related to the person’s birthday to make your belated wishes more meaningful.
• Use 반말 (banmal) with close friends: Banmal is the informal language used among close friends, so feel free to use it when conveying belated birthday wishes to your peers.

Example 1: If you want to convey a formal belated birthday message:

“Dear Mr. Lee, even though your birthday is late, I would like to congratulate you. I hope you had a wonderful celebration filled with joy and happiness. May this year bring you success and good health. Belated happy birthday!”

Example 2: If you want to send an informal belated birthday message to a close friend:

“Hey, Happy belated birthday! I didn’t realize your birthday was already past, but I hope you had an amazing day. Let’s catch up soon and make up for the lost celebration. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead!”