Which one should you use?
While 결혼 축하합니다 is the standard form, you may see 결혼을 축하합니다, where the addition of the object marker 을 makes the phrase grammatically more complete. 결혼 축하해 is a casual version, and 결혼 축하드립니다 is a highly respectful version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The choice of phrase depends on your relationship with the person. For close friends or people younger than you, use the informal 결혼 축하해. The standard version is 결혼 축하합니다. For elders or superiors, use the highly respectful and more formal 결혼 축하드립니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 결혼을 축하합니다, the particle 을 is an object marker attached to the word for marriage (결혼). While adding this marker makes the phrase more grammatically complete, it is often omitted in casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
gyeolhon chukhahamnida
When do people say it?
You can add a personal touch to your congratulations by using the form …님의 결혼을 축하합니다. In this structure, you replace the ellipsis with the person's last name or title followed by the honorific suffix 님.
Did you know?
- While 결혼 축하합니다 is common, you might also hear people say 잘 살아 which literally means 'live well', a common way to wish a couple a happy life together.
- The word for 'marriage' in 결혼 contains the character 結, which also means 'to tie' or 'to knot', suggesting the binding of two people together.
- Korean weddings often happen very quickly, sometimes lasting only 30 minutes, meaning you have a very short window to say 결혼 축하합니다 before the guests move to the buffet.
Examples in context
- 결혼을 축하합니다. 행복한 가정을 이루세요.Congratulations on your wedding. May you build a happy home.
- 결혼 축하합니다!gyeolhon chukahamnida!Congratulations on your wedding!
- 두 분의 결혼 축하합니다.du bunui gyeolhon chukahamnida.Congratulations on your wedding, you two.
- 진심으로 결혼 축하합니다.jinsimeuro gyeolhon chukahamnida.I sincerely congratulate you on your wedding.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo meets Subin at a wedding hall to offer his wishes.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 결혼 축하합니다!Subin-ssi, gyeolhon chukahamnida!Subin, congratulations on your wedding!
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 와주셔서 정말 고마워요.Hyunwoo-ssi, wajusyeoseo jeongmal gomawoyo.Hyunwoo, thank you so much for coming.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo오늘 정말 아름다우세요.oneul jeongmal areumdauseyo.You look truly beautiful today.
- 수빈 Su-bin축하해 주셔서 정말 기뻐요.chukhae jusyeoseo jeongmal gippeoyo.I am so happy you congratulated me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 결혼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
