생일 축하 노래
saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae
The English phrase "happy birthday song" is translated into Korean as 생일 축하 노래 (saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae).
생일 축하 노래 is a noun phrase used specifically to name the song sung to celebrate someone's birthday. It is not a complete sentence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 생일 (birthday), 축하 (congratulations/celebration) and 노래 (song).
Which one should you use?
While 생일 축하 노래 refers to the song itself, if you want to actually say "Happy birthday" to someone as a greeting, you would use different forms like 생일 축하해 or 생일 축하합니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
생일 축하 노래 functions as a noun phrase to name the song. To use the sentiment as a direct greeting, use the verb-based forms 생일 축하해 or the formal 생일 축하합니다.
How do you pronounce it?
saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common to celebrate a birthday by eating 미역국, a seaweed soup, regardless of whether a 'happy birthday song' is sung.
- The word for 'song', 노래, is etymologically linked to the idea of 'playing' or 'frolicking'. It originally stems from a root meaning 'to play', suggesting that a song is something one uses to enjoy or play with.
- If you are singing the birthday song to someone much older than you, such as a grandparent, you cannot simply use the phrase 생일 축하해. You must use the much more formal version, 생일 축하합니다, to show proper respect.
Examples in context
- 생일 축하합니다, 생일 축하합니다, 사랑하는 [name] 생일 축하합니다Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to my beloved [name].
- 생일 축하 노래를 불러요.saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae-reul bul-leo-yo.I sing the happy birthday song.
- 생일 축하 노래를 같이 불러요.saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae-reul ga-chi bul-leo-yo.Let's sing the happy birthday song together.
- 생일 축하 노래가 들려요.saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae-ga deul-lyeo-yo.I hear the happy birthday song.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are preparing for a surprise party.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 생일 축하 노래를 준비했나요?Seo-yeon ssi, saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae-reul jun-bi-haet-na-yo?Seoyeon, have you prepared the happy birthday song?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 현우 씨. 다 준비했어요.Ne, Hyeon-u ssi. Da jun-bi-haet-eo-yo.Yes, Hyunwoo. I have prepared everything.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이제 생일 축하 노래를 불러요!I-je saeng-il chuk-ha no-rae-reul bul-leo-yo!Now, let's sing the happy birthday song!
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아요, 시작해요.Jo-a-yo, si-jak-hae-yo.Great, let's start.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 노래, 생일, 축하, CC BY-SA 4.0.
