생일 축하해, 오빠
saeng-il chukaha-e, oppa
The English phrase "happy birthday brother" is translated into Korean as 생일 축하해, 오빠 (saeng-il chukaha-e, oppa).
This phrase is used by a female to wish her older brother or an older male friend a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for birthday, 생일, is composed of saeng (birth) and il (day).
Which one should you use?
The form 생일 축하해, 오빠 is the informal version. If you want to show more respect or if you are not extremely close to the person, you can use the polite version by adding yo to the end, making it 생일 축하해요, 오빠.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
생일 축하해, 오빠 is an informal phrase. It should only be used with an older brother or a close older male friend of the same age or slightly older.
How do you pronounce it?
saeng-il chukaha-e, oppa
Did you know?
- While 오빠 means 'older brother', Korean women often use it for boyfriends or male romantic interests regardless of biological relation.
- If you were a man wishing your older brother a happy birthday, you would not use 오빠. You would use 형, a completely different word that reflects your own gender.
- If the brother is significantly older or the family is very traditional, 생일 is replaced by the honorific word 생신 to show deeper respect.
Examples in context
- 생일 축하해, 오빠. 선물이야.saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, o-ppa. seon-mul-i-ya.Happy birthday, brother. This is a gift.
Example conversation
Seoyeon gives a small gift to Hyunwoo on his birthday.
- 서연 Seo-yeon생일 축하해, 오빠!saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, o-ppa!Happy birthday, brother!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워, 서연아.go-ma-wo, seo-yeon-a.Thanks, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon선물도 준비했어.seon-mul-do jun-bi-haess-eo.I prepared a gift too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo진짜? 정말 고마워!jin-jja? jeong-mal go-ma-wo!Really? Thank you so much!
