생일 축하해요
saeng'il chukhahaeyo[sʰɛŋiɭ t͡ɕʰukʰa̠ɦɛjo]
The English phrase "happy birthday to you" is translated into Korean as 생일 축하해요 (saeng'il chukhahaeyo).
The phrase is used to wish someone a happy birthday. Depending on the setting, different versions are used: 생일 축하합니다. is a common way to wish someone a happy birthday in a formal setting, while 생일을 진심으로 축하드립니다. conveys a sincere and heartfelt birthday wish.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 생일 (saeng'il) literally means 'birthday'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the level of formality by altering the ending of the phrase. Removing the '요' (yo) from the end of 생일 축하해요 makes it the informal version used with close friends or younger people.
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is traditional to eat 미역국 (seaweed soup) on your birthday to honor your mother, as this is the soup women typically eat after giving birth.
- In the past, Koreans celebrated the 돌 (dol), a child's first birthday, with a custom called 돌잡이 where the baby picks an object to predict their future career.
- While you might say 생일 축하해요 to a friend, if you are wishing a much older person or a boss a happy birthday, you should use the word 생신 (saeng-sin) instead of 생일 (saeng-il) to show proper respect.
Examples in context
- 생일 축하합니다. 즐거운 하루 보내세요.Happy birthday. Have a pleasant day.
- 생일 축하해요. 꿈이 모두 이루어지길 바랄게요.Happy birthday. I hope all your dreams come true.
- 생일 축하해, 내 사랑.Happy birthday, my love.
- 생일 축하해요!saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo!Happy birthday!
- 진심으로 생일 축하해요.jin-sim-eu-ro saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo.I sincerely wish you a happy birthday.
Example conversation
Subin gives a gift to Jihun on his birthday.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 생일 축하해요!Ji-hun ssi, saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo!Jihun, happy birthday!
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요, 수빈 씨.go-ma-wo-yo, Su-bin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin선물이에요. 받으세요.seon-mul-i-e-yo. ba-deu-se-yo.It is a gift. Please take it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 고마워요!jeong-mal go-ma-wo-yo!Thank you so much!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 생일 축하해요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
