생일 축하해, 친구야
saeng-il chukaha-e, chingu-ya
The English phrase "happy birthday to a friend" is translated into Korean as 생일 축하해, 친구야 (saeng-il chukaha-e, chingu-ya).
The phrase is used as a casual greeting to wish a friend a happy birthday. The core part of the expression, 생일 축하해, is a common, casual way to say "Happy birthday" to friends.
What does it mean word for word?
생일 (saeng-il) means "birthday", and 축하해 (chukaha-e) is the casual form of the verb meaning "to congratulate" or "to celebrate".
How do you pronounce it?
saeng-il chukaha-e, chingu-ya
Did you know?
- A common birthday tradition in Korea involves eating a bowl of seaweed soup, called 미역국 (miyeok-guk), rather than just eating cake.
- If you were celebrating the birthday of someone much older or in a higher social position, you would change 생일 to the honorific term 생신 (saeng-sin).
- In Korea, many people celebrate their 'Korean age' birthday, which can be a year older than their international age, though this is shifting due to new laws.
Examples in context
- 생일 축하해, 친구야. 맛있는 거 먹자.saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, chin-gu-ya. mas-it-neun geo meok-ja.Happy birthday, friend. Let's eat something delicious.
- 생일 축하해, 친구야. 선물 준비했어.saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, chin-gu-ya. seon-mul jun-bi-haess-eo.Happy birthday, friend. I prepared a gift.
Example conversation
Dohyun meets Minji at a cafe to celebrate her birthday.
- 도현 Do-hyeon생일 축하해, 친구야!saeng-il chuk-ha-hae, chin-gu-ya!Happy birthday, friend!
- 민지 Min-ji고마워, 도현아!go-ma-wo, do-hyeon-a!Thank you, Dohyun!
- 도현 Do-hyeon선물 여기 있어.seon-mul yeo-gi iss-eo.Here is your gift.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 고마워!jeong-mal go-ma-wo!Thank you so much!
