늦었지만 생일 축하해요
neujeotjiman saeng-il chukahaeyo
The English phrase "belated happy birthday" is translated into Korean as 늦었지만 생일 축하해요 (neujeotjiman saeng-il chukahaeyo).
This phrase is used to wish someone a happy birthday after the actual date has passed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase begins with 늦었지만 (neujeotjiman), which literally means "although (it/I) am late" or "even though I am late". This is followed by the birthday greeting 생일 축하해요.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a highly formal and polite version suitable for elders or superiors, use 늦었지만 생일 축하드립니다. To make the greeting informal for close friends or younger people, you can drop the 요 at the end to say 늦었지만 생일 축하해.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is composed of the adverbial clause 늦었지만 (although late) followed by the birthday greeting 생일 축하해요.
How do you pronounce it?
neujeotjiman saeng-il chukahaeyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common to eat 미역국 (miyeok-guk), a seaweed soup, on your birthday to honor the mother who gave birth to you.
- If you forgot the date, you might use the word 깜빡했다 (kkampakkhaetda) to explain yourself. This word is an onomatopoeia that mimics the sound of a light flickering, used to describe a sudden lapse in memory.
- If you are wishing a belated birthday to someone much older, such as a grandparent, you should replace 생일 (saeng-il) with the honorific term 생신 (saeng-sin).
Examples in context
- 늦었지만 생일 축하해요!neujeotjiman saengil chukha-haeyo!Belated happy birthday!
- 정말 미안해요, 늦었지만 생일 축하해요.jeongmal mian-haeyo, neujeotjiman saengil chukha-haeyo.I'm so sorry, belated happy birthday.
- 어제 연락을 못 했네요. 늦었지만 생일 축하해요!eoje yeollageul mot haetneyo. neujeotjiman saengil chukha-haeyo!I couldn't contact you yesterday. Belated happy birthday!
Example conversation
Subin calls Dohyun to congratulate him after missing his birthday yesterday.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 늦었지만 생일 축하해요!Dohyun ssi, neujeotjiman saengil chukha-haeyo!Dohyun, belated happy birthday!
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 축하해줘서 고마워요.Subin ssi, chuk-ha-hae-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo.Subin, thank you for congratulating me.
- 수빈 Su-bin어제는 정말 정신이 없었어요.eo-je-neun jeong-mal jeong-sin-i eop-seo-sseo-yo.I was really distracted yesterday.
- 도현 Do-hyeon괜찮아요, 연락해줘서 기뻐요.gwaen-chan-a-yo, yeol-lak-hae-jwo-seo gi-ppeo-yo.It's okay, I'm happy you contacted me.
