생신 축하드립니다
saengsin chukhadeurimnida
To say "happy birthday formally" in Korean, use 생신 축하드립니다 (saengsin chukhadeurimnida).
This phrase is a polite and respectful way to wish someone a happy birthday, specifically when addressing elders or people in a higher social or professional position, such as grandparents, teachers or high-ranking officials.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 생신 is the honorific form of 생일 (birthday), used specifically to show respect to the birthday person.
Which one should you use?
Use 생신 축하드립니다 for elders or bosses. For friends or people of equal or lower status, you should use 생일 축하해요 or the informal 생일 축하해. Another formal option for general polite situations is 생일 축하합니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is the highest level of formal politeness used in professional or very respectful settings.
How do you pronounce it?
saengsin chukhadeurimnida
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common to celebrate a first birthday, called 돌 (dol), with a tradition where the child picks an object to predict their future career.
- In Korean culture, seaweed soup called 미역국 (miyeok-guk) is traditionally eaten on birthdays to honor the mother who gave birth to the person.
- While 생신 is used for elders, the 60th birthday was historically the most important milestone, celebrated as 환갑 (hwangap) to mark the completion of one full zodiac cycle.
Examples in context
- 생신 축하드립니다, 할머니.saengsin chukha-deurimnida, halmeoni.Happy birthday, grandmother.
- 부장님, 생신 축하드립니다.bujangnim, saengsin chukha-deurimnida.Happy birthday, Manager.
- 생신 축하드립니다. 건강하세요.saengsin chukha-deurimnida. geon-ganghaseyo.Happy birthday. Please stay healthy.
Example conversation
Minjun visits his elderly aunt Seoyeon to celebrate her birthday.
- 민준 Min-jun고모님, 생신 축하드립니다.gomonim, saengsin chukha-deurimnida.Happy birthday, Aunt.
- 서연 Seo-yeon고맙다, 민준아. 와줘서 정말 기뻐.gomapda, minjuna. wajwoseo jeongmal gippeo.Thank you, Minjun. I am so happy you came.
- 민준 Min-jun선물을 준비했는데 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요.seonmureul junbi-haetneunde maeume deusyeosseumyeon joket-seoyo.I prepared a gift, and I hope you like it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 고마워, 아주 예쁘구나.jeongmal gomawo, aju yeppeuguna.Thank you so much, it is very pretty.
