생일 축하합니다
saengil chukahamnidasung, formal
In the Korean version of the birthday song the main line is 생일 축하합니다 (saengil chukahamnida), "happy birthday". The song repeats it twice, then names the birthday person. It is also called 생일 축하해 (saengil chukahae).
Meaning: birthday wish, as sung in the Korean song (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 생일 축하합니다 | saengil chukahamnida | sung, formal |
| 생일 축하해 | saengil chukahae | casual |
The sung lines go 생일 축하합니다, 생일 축하합니다, 사랑하는 (name)의 생일 축하합니다 (saengil chukahamnida, saengil chukahamnida, saranghaneun name-ui saengil chukahamnida). It is sung to the same tune as the English song.
What does it mean word for word?
생일 (saengil) means "birthday" and 축하합니다 (chukahamnida) means "congratulations". 사랑하는 (saranghaneun) means "beloved".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Said in speech, friends use 생일 축하해 (saengil chukahae) and polite speech uses 생일 축하해요 (saengil chukahaeyo).
Did you know?
- Korean birthdays often include 미역국 (miyeokguk), seaweed soup, which is traditionally eaten on that day.
Examples in context
- 사랑하는 수지의 생일 축하합니다.Saranghaneun Suji-ui saengil chukahamnida.Happy birthday to our beloved Suji.
Example conversation
Friends gather at a restaurant for Suji's birthday, led by her friend Kyung.
- Kyung자, 노래 부르자!Ja, norae bureuja!Come on, let's sing!
- Kyung생일 축하합니다!Saengil chukahamnida!Happy birthday!
- Suji다들 고마워!Dadeul gomawo!Thanks, everyone!
