Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 생일 축하해요 | saeng'il chukha-haeyo | [sʰɛŋiɭ t͡ɕʰukʰa̠ɦɛjo] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰe̞ŋiɭ t͡ɕʰukʰa̠ɦe̞jo] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
informal, polite |
| 생신 축하드립니다 | saengsin chukha-deurimnida | formal | |
| 생일 축하합니다 | saeng'il chukha-hamnida | formal | |
| 생일 축하해 | saeng'il chukha-hae | informal |
These phrases are used to express good wishes for someone's birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for birthday, 생일, is composed of 생 (birth) and 일 (day).
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the level of respect and the person being addressed. While 생일 is the standard word for birthday, you should use the honorific 생신 when addressing an elder or someone of much higher social status to show respect. For the congratulatory part, 생일 축하합니다 is a standard and formal way to say Happy Birthday, whereas 생신 축하드립니다 is a more literary and formal way to express birthday wishes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
생일 축하해 is an informal and common casual way to say Happy Birthday, used only with close friends, siblings or people younger than you. 생일 축하해요 is a polite and standard version used in everyday social situations. For more formal, public or professional environments, such as a speech, use 생일 축하합니다. Finally, 생신 축하드립니다 is used for high-level formal respect, particularly toward elders.
How does it change in a sentence?
The -합니다 ending in 생일 축하합니다 is used for formal, public or highly respectful settings.
How do you pronounce it?
saeng'il chukha-haeyo
Did you know?
- Eating 미역국 (seaweed soup) is a quintessential birthday tradition in Korea. It is eaten to honor the mother, as seaweed soup is a nutrient-rich meal traditionally consumed after childbirth.
- In Korea, the first birthday of a child is a major milestone called 돌 (dol). It is celebrated with a tradition called 돌잡이 where the child picks an object to predict their future career.
- Traditionally, Koreans celebrated their birth on the lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar. While the solar system is now common, many older generations still celebrate their 생일 based on the moon.
Examples in context
- 생일 축하해 Muiriel!Happy birthday, Muiriel!This sentence is useful for practicing the informal form 생일 축하해.Tatoeba #5355 by cueyayotl, translation #355041 by human600
- 정말요? 생일 축하합니다!Really? Happy Birthday!
Example conversation
Dohyun gives a small gift to Minji on her birthday at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 생일 축하해요!Minji ssi, saeng-il chukha-haeyo!Minji, happy birthday!
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 도현 씨!Gomawoyo, Dohyun ssi!Thank you, Dohyun!
- 도현 Do-hyeon이거 선물이에요.Igeo seonmul-ieyo.This is a gift.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 감사합니다.Jeongmal gamsahamnida.Thank you so much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations and entries 생일 축하해요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
