축하해요
chukhahaeyo
Congratulations in Korean is expressed as 축하해요 (chukhahaeyo). Wiktionary also lists 축하합니다 (chukhahamnida).
Meaning: expressing approbation (intj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 축하해요 | chukhahaeyo |
| 축하합니다 | chukhahamnida |
The phrase is used to express approbation.
Which one should you use?
While 축하해요 is the standard polite form, 축하합니다 is a formal, more respectful version used in public speeches or to elders. 축하드립니다 is a polite expression of congratulations used in formal or official settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone of much higher status, you can use the honorific verb 축하드리다 to say 축하드려요. The casual form 축하해 is used with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
chukhahaeyo
Did you know?
- When receiving 축하합니다, it is culturally polite to respond with modesty by saying 아니에요 'no it is not' or by downplaying the achievement.
- The word 축하 comes from Hanja, where the first character means 'celebrate' and the second means 'bless'.
- The verb 'to give' is embedded in the most formal versions of the phrase, such as 축하드립니다, because you are symbolically 'giving' your congratulations to the other person.
Examples in context
- 축하해요!Congratulations!This shows how to use the standard polite form 축하해요.Tatoeba #9414924 by kerun, translation #1437 by CK
- 당신의 얼굴에 축하합니다.Congratulations on your face.This sentence uses the formal form 축하합니다.Tatoeba #1108450 by Arraroak, translation #1099156 by Arraroak
- John 씨, 축하합니다Congratulations, John.
- 결혼 축하해요! 행복한 가정을 이루세요.Congratulations on your wedding! Wishing you a blissful marriage.
- 시험 합격 축하해!Congratulations on passing the exam!
- 결혼 정말 축하해요.gyeol-hon jeong-mal chuk-ha-hae-yo.Congratulations on your marriage.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jieun is congratulating Hyunwoo on his new job.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 취직 축하해요!Hyeon-u ssi, chwi-jik chuk-ha-hae-yo!Hyunwoo, congratulations on your new job!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요, 지은 씨.Go-ma-wo-yo, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you, Jieun.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 기쁜 소식이에요.Jeong-mal gi-ppeun so-sik-i-e-yo.It is really great news.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다 지은 씨 덕분이에요.Da Ji-eun ssi deok-bun-i-e-yo.It is all thanks to you, Jieun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “congratulations” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
