네 생일
ne saeng-il
The English phrase "your birthday" is translated into Korean as 네 생일 (ne saeng-il).
The phrase refers to the anniversary of the day a person was born.
Which one should you use?
네 생일 is used only with close friends or people younger than you, whereas 당신의 생일 or 생신 is used for formal or respectful contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the birthday of an elder or someone you must show high respect to, use the honorific noun 생신 instead of 생일. Additionally, the phrase [Name]야, 생일 축하해! uses the particle –야 (ya) after the person's name to show familiarity.
How do you pronounce it?
ne saeng-il
Did you know?
- A traditional birthday custom involves eating 미역국 (miyeok-guk), a seaweed soup, to honor the mother who suffered during childbirth.
- In many Korean social settings, it is more common to celebrate a 'Korean birthday' on the lunar calendar rather than the solar one used in the West.
- In Korea, the first birthday of a child is celebrated as a massive event called 돌 (dol), which is distinct from the annual 생일.
Examples in context
- 네 생일 선물로 펜 하나를 샀어.I bought a pen for your birthday present.This sentence shows how to use 네 생일 when talking about a gift.Tatoeba #7801884 by HappyMidnight, translation #70475 by CK
- 네 생일은 언제야?When's your birthday?This sentence uses 네 생일 to ask a question about when the day occurs.Tatoeba #11106004 by intertime, translation #2254571 by CK
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are talking about a party plan.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네 생일 파티는 어디서 해?ne saeng-il pa-ti-neun eo-di-seo hae?Where are you having your birthday party?
- 지은 Ji-eun집에서 작게 하려고 해.jib-e-seo jak-ge ha-ryeo-go hae.I'm planning to have a small one at home.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 내가 맛있는 케이크 사갈게.geu-reom nae-ga mas-it-neun ke-i-keu sa-gal-ge.Then I'll buy a delicious cake and bring it.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 고마워, 도현아!jeong-mal go-ma-wo, do-hyeon-a!Thank you so much, Dohyun!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
