Birthdays are special occasions that allow us to celebrate our loved ones’ existence and show our appreciation for them. If you have a Korean friend, family member, or colleague whose birthday is coming up, expressing your wishes in their native language can make the celebration even more meaningful. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Korean, providing you with various tips and examples to help you navigate this joyful occasion.
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Formal Ways to Say Happy Birthday in Korean
When addressing someone in a formal setting or a person with whom you share a formal relationship, it’s important to use a polite language form. Here are a few ways you can say “Happy Birthday” formally:
- 생일 축하합니다. (Saengil chukha hamnida.)
This is the most common and widely used expression to wish someone a happy birthday in Korean – it can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, keep in mind that it is more suitable for formal or unfamiliar relationships.
생신 축하드립니다. (Saengsin chukha deurimnida.)
This expression is similar to the previous one but places more emphasis on the person’s actual birth day and is slightly more formal.
생일을 진심으로 축하드립니다. (Saengireul jinsim-euro chukha deurimnida.)
This phrase conveys a sincere and heartfelt birthday wish. It’s ideal for expressing your respect and affection for someone with whom you share a formal relationship.
Informal Ways to Say Happy Birthday in Korean
If you have a close relationship with the person you are wishing a happy birthday to, such as a friend or a family member, you can use a more informal language form. Here are a few examples:
- 생일 축하해. (Saengil chukhae.)
This is the most common and widely used expression to wish someone a happy birthday informally in Korean. It’s suitable for friends, siblings, and close acquaintances.
생일 축하해요. (Saengil chukhaeyo.)
This phrase is similar to the previous one but adds a polite ending, making it slightly more formal. It could be used when you want to maintain a balance between formality and familiarity.
생신 축하드려요. (Saengsin chukha deuryeoyo.)
This expression is similar to the previous one but places more emphasis on the person’s actual birth day, showing a higher level of familiarity and warmth. It’s suitable for close friends or family members.
Additional Tips and Examples
While learning how to say “Happy Birthday” is essential, you can also use additional phrases and expressions to make your wishes more heartfelt and personal. Here are some tips and examples:
1. Adding the person’s name:
To make your birthday wish more personal, you can add the person’s name after the expression. For example:
생일 축하합니다, [Name].
생일 축하해요, [Name].
2. Expressing good wishes:
You can further expand your wishes by adding phrases such as “I hope you have a wonderful day” or “May all your dreams come true.” Here are a few examples:
생일 축하합니다. 즐거운 하루 보내세요. (Saengil chukha hamnida. Jeulgeoun haru bonaeseyo.)
생일 축하해요. 꿈이 모두 이루어지길 바랄게요. (Saengil chukhaeyo. Ggumi modu iru-eojigil baralgeyo.)
3. Using endearing or loving phrases:
If you have a close relationship with the person celebrating their birthday, you can add endearing or loving phrases to your wishes. Here are a couple of examples:
생일 축하해, 내 사랑. (Saengil chukhae, nae sarang.)
생일 축하합니다, 내 친한 친구. (Saengil chukha hamnida, nae chinhan chingu.)
Remember to adjust these phrases to match your level of intimacy with the individual you are addressing, as using overly affectionate language in certain contexts may seem inappropriate or uncomfortable.
Now that you have learned various ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Korean and have some additional tips, you can confidently celebrate special occasions with your Korean friends and loved ones. Remember, the most important thing is to convey your warm wishes and make the celebrant feel cherished.
