생일 축하해, 언니
saeng-il chukaha-e, eonni
The English phrase "happy birthday sister" is translated into Korean as 생일 축하해, 언니 (saeng-il chukaha-e, eonni).
This phrase is used to wish an older sister a happy birthday. The term 언니 is used to address an older sister, while the term 누나 is used by a male speaker to address an older sister. If you are referring to a younger sister, the word is 여동생.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 생일, which literally means "birthday" and 축하해, which is the informal form of the verb meaning "to congratulate".
Which one should you use?
The choice of the word for "older sister" depends on the gender of the speaker: use 누나 if you are male. Additionally, the phrase 생일 축하해, 언니! is the informal version, whereas 생일 축하합니다, 언니! is a formal way to express the same greeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 생일 축하해, 언니 is informal. For a more polite and respectful tone, you can add the suffix –요 to the end to say 생일 축하해요, 언니. A formal version of the greeting is 생일 축하합니다, 언니! For conveying heartfelt congratulations, you can also use 언니의 생일을 진심으로 축하드립니다!
How do you pronounce it?
saeng-il chukaha-e, eonni
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common to celebrate a child's first birthday, called 돌, with a traditional ceremony and a game where the child picks an object to predict their future.
- In many contexts, you might use 언니 to address a slightly older female who is not your biological sister at all, such as a close friend or senior at school.
- The word 언니 might actually be a 'childish' version of the more formal term 형님, used by children to make the word sound softer or more affectionate.
Examples in context
- 생일 축하해, 언니!saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, eon-ni!Happy birthday, sister!
Example conversation
Ji-hoon gives a cake to his older sister Seo-yeon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun생일 축하해, 언니! 케이크 맛있겠지?saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, eon-ni! ke-i-keu mas-it-get-ji?Happy birthday, sister! The cake looks delicious, right?
- 서연 Seo-yeon와, 정말 고마워 지훈아!wa, jeong-mal go-ma-wo Ji-hun-a!Wow, thank you so much, Ji-hoon!
- 지훈 Ji-hun내가 직접 골랐어. 마음에 들어?nae-ga jik-jeop gol-rass-eo. ma-eum-e deu-leo?I picked it out myself. Do you like it?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 너무 예쁘다!eung, neo-mu ye-ppeu-da!Yes, it's so pretty!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 생일, 언니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
