생일 축하해, 친구야
saeng-il chukahae, chinguya
The phrase "happy birthday, my friend" in Korean is 생일 축하해, 친구야 (saeng-il chukahae, chinguya).
This phrase is used as a casual greeting to wish a friend a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
생일 (saeng-il) means 'birthday', and 축하해 (chukahae) is the casual form of the verb meaning 'to congratulate'. The final part, 친구야 (chinguya), translates to 'my friend' or 'hey friend'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You should only use this phrase with close friends or people who are younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 친구야 uses the particle -야 (-ya), which is a vocative particle added to a noun ending in a vowel to address someone informally.
How do you pronounce it?
saeng-il chukahae, chinguya
Did you know?
- When wishing someone a happy birthday, it is common to eat a bowl of seaweed soup, called 미역국 (miyeok-guk). This custom honors the tradition of mothers eating seaweed soup after giving birth to recover.
- In Korea, the first birthday of a child, called 돌 (dol), is celebrated far more grandly than any subsequent birthday. It often includes a tradition where the baby picks an object to predict their future career.
- While 'birthday' is 생일, Koreans often use the word 생신 (saeng-sin) when speaking to elders to show respect. Using the casual 생일 축하해 to an older person would be considered quite rude.
Examples in context
- 오늘은 너의 생일이야. 생일 축하해, 친구야!It's your birthday today. Happy birthday, my friend!
- 우리의 오랜 친구, 생일 축하해!Happy birthday to our long-time friend!
- 다시 한번 생일 축하해, 친구야.da-si han-beon saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, chin-gu-ya.Happy birthday again, my friend.
- 생일 축하해, 친구야. 오늘 맛있는 거 먹자!saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, chin-gu-ya. o-neul mas-it-neun geo meok-ja!Happy birthday, my friend. Let's eat something delicious today!
Example conversation
Hyunwoo visits Jieun at her house to celebrate her birthday.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo생일 축하해, 친구야!saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, chin-gu-ya!Happy birthday, my friend!
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워, 현우야. 정말 감동이야.go-ma-wo, hyeon-u-ya. jeong-mal gam-dong-i-ya.Thanks, Hyunwoo. I'm really touched.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo선물도 가져왔어.seon-mul-do ga-jyeo-wat-eo.I brought a gift too.
- 지은 Ji-eun진짜? 너무 고마워!jin-jja? neo-mu go-ma-wo!Really? Thank you so much!
