생년월일
saengnyeonworil[sʰɛŋɲʌ̹nwʌ̹ɾiɭ]
The English phrase "birthday date" is translated into Korean as 생년월일 (saengnyeonworil).
The term 생년월일 refers specifically to the calendar date of birth for documentation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 생 (birth), 년 (year), 월 (month) and 일 (day).
Which one should you use?
While 생년월일 refers specifically to the calendar date of birth for documentation, the word 생일 is the common word used to refer to the celebration or the concept of one's birthday.
How do you pronounce it?
saengnyeonworil
Did you know?
- Until 2022, many Koreans calculated their age based on the lunar calendar and counted a baby as one year old at birth, meaning your 생년월일 might result in a different age depending on the system used.
- When filling out official forms in Korea, you must distinguish between the solar calendar and the lunar calendar. If someone asks for your 생년월일, you may need to specify if your birthday follows the lunar calendar, as many older generations still celebrate based on traditional lunar cycles.
- If you are looking for a more polite way to ask an elder for their 생년월일, you should use the honorific form 생신 (saengsin) instead of the standard word for birth. Using the common term for a person of much higher status can unintentionally come across as disrespectful.
Examples in context
- 네 생일 날짜 말해줘.Tell me your birthday date.
- 서류에 생년월일을 적어야 해요.seoryue saengnyeonwol-ireul jeogeoya haeyo.I have to write my birthday date on the document.
- 본인의 생년월일이 맞습니까?bonin-ui saengnyeonwol-iri matseumnikka?Is your birthday date correct?
Example conversation
Seoyeon is helping Minjun sign up for a gym membership.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 여기 생년월일을 써 주세요.Minjun ssi, yeogi saengnyeonworireul sseo juseyo.Minjun, please write your date of birth here.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 지금 바로 쓸게요.ne, jigeum baro sseulgeyo.Yes, I will write it right now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다. 다 쓰셨나요?gamsahamnida. da sseusyeonnayo?Thank you. Are you finished writing?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 여기 있습니다.ne, yeogi issumnida.Yes, here it is.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 생년월일, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
