Learning Korean and want to wish someone a happy birthday? Or simply want to send your Korean friend or relatives well wishes for their special day? Whatever your reason, saying “happy birthday” in Korean is easy. There are a few options to choose from depending on your relationship you have with the person you’re addressing.
The most common ways of saying “happy birthday” in Korean
There are fours main ways to say “happy birthday”:
- Most formal: 생신을 축하드립니다 (saengsineul chukadeurimnida)
- Formal: 생일 축하합니다 (saengil chukahamnida)
- Semi-Formal: 생일 축하해요 (saengil chukahaeyo)
- Casual: 생일 축하해 (saengil chukahae)
Summary
- 생일 is the most common way of saying “birthday”, but you should use 생신 when talking to (or about) people who are older than you, less familiar to you, or those with a higher social status, such as your grandparents or boss.
- 축하하다 means “congratulations”. The form you use depends on who you’re speaking to.
생신을 축하드립니다 (saengsineul chukadeurimnida)
Literal Translation: Birthday congratulations
Usage: This is the most honorific way of expressing your birthday wishes. It’s used for elders (including your grandparents), those with a higher status than you (such as your teacher or your boss), and in very formal situations. 생신 is the honorific form of 생일 and is a useful word to remember.
Example Sentences:
- “선생님, 생신을 축하드립니다.” (Seonsaengnim, saengsin-eul chukhadeurimnida.) – “Birthday congratulations, teacher.”
생일 축하합니다 (Saengil chukahamnida)
Literal Translation: Birthday congratulations
Usage: This is the standard and most formal way to wish someone a happy birthday in Korean. It’s suitable for use in formal settings, such as at work or when addressing someone with whom you don’t have a close relationship.
Example Sentences:
- “생일 축하합니다! 오늘 하루가 즐거운 날이 되길 바랍니다.” (Saengil chukahamnida! Oneul haruga jeulgeoun nal-i doegil barabnida.) – “Happy Birthday! I hope today is a joyful day.”
생일 축하해요 (Saengil chukahaeyo)
Literal Translation: Birthday congratulations (polite)
Usage: This phrase is slightly less formal than 생일 축하합니다 (Saengil chukahamnida) and is used in more casual contexts but is still considered respectful. It’s appropriate for friends, acquaintances, or colleagues with whom you have a friendly relationship.
Example Sentences:
- “생일 축하해요! 즐거운 하루 보내세요.” (Saengil chukahaeyo! Jeulgeoun haru bonaeseyo.) – “Happy Birthday! Have a great day.”
생일 축하해 (Saengil chukhahae)
Literal Translation: Birthday congratulations (informal)
Usage: This is the informal version of the birthday greeting and is used among close friends and family. It’s casual and should be used in relaxed settings where a more formal tone is not necessary.
Example Sentences:
- “생일 축하해! 오늘은 네가 주인공이야.” (Saengil chukhahae! Oneureun nega juingong-iya.) – “Happy Birthday! Today, you are the star.”
There are two words for birthday
Whilst the overall, general meaning is still there, the Korean phrase for wishing people a happy birthday doesn’t directly translate to “happy birthday”. Instead, it more accurately translates to “birthday celebrations!” or “congratulations on your birthday”.
생일 and 생신 both mean birthday, but which you choose depends on your relationship with the other person.
생일 is the 반말 version of the phrase, so it’s mainly used with your friends, coworkers and other people on the same level as you.
생신, on the other hand, is the 존댓말, honorific version of the word for birthday. You would use it when speaking to or about people who are older than you, of a higher social status, or those who you aren’t as familiar with, such as your boss or grandparents.
The Korean Birthday Song
No birthday celebration is complete without a song, and in Korea, the birthday song is quite similar to the Western version but with a Korean twist. Here’s how you sing the Korean birthday song:
“생일 축하합니다,
생일 축하합니다.
사랑하는 (Name) 씨,
생일 축하합니다.”
(Saengil chukahamnida,
saengil chukahamnida.
Salanghaneun (Name) ssi,
saengil chukahamnida.)
“Happy Birthday to you,
happy birthday to you.
Dear (Name),
happy birthday to you.”
If you’re familiar with the person you’re singing to, you can use the word 우리 (uri; our) and remove 씨 after the person’s name. For instance, if your friend was called 진우, you would replace the third line with “사랑하는 우리 진우”.
Pronunciation Tips:
- “생일 축하합니다 (Saengil chukahamnida)” – Pronounce “saengil” as “seng-il,” and “chukahamnida” as “chook-ahm-ni-da.”
- “사랑하는 (Name) 씨 (Salanghaneun (Name) ssi)” – Pronounce “salanghaneun” as “sah-rang-ha-neun,” and “ssi” as “shee,” used for addressing someone respectfully.
Example:
- If your friend’s name is Jisoo, you would sing:
- “생일 축하합니다, 생일 축하합니다. 사랑하는 지수 씨, 생일 축하합니다.”
(Saengil chukahamnida, saengil chukahamnida. Salanghaneun Jisoo ssi, saengil chukahamnida.)
Common Korean traditional birthday practices
In South Korea, birthdays are celebrated with a mix of traditional and modern practices. Traditional Korean birthdays might include a special meal, known as a “미역국 (miyeok-guk),” which is a seaweed soup believed to promote good health. However, contemporary celebrations often include cakes, gifts, and gatherings similar to Western birthday parties.
Age-Specific Customs
Korean culture places significant importance on age, and certain birthdays are especially noteworthy. For example, the 60th birthday, known as “환갑 (hwangap),” is a major celebration and is considered a milestone. There are also special celebrations for the 1st birthday, called “돌 (dol),” which is often marked by elaborate ceremonies and parties.
First birthday party celebrations (돌잔치)
One of the most common first birthday celebrations in South Korea is the ritual ceremony 돌잡이 (doljabi). In this celebration, the child is placed in front of a range of items, such as books, money, a judge’s gavel, a stethoscope and a football. It’s said that whichever item the baby picks up first reflects the baby’s future.
For instance, if the baby picks up the book, this means they will excel academically. Selecting money, on the other hand, means the child will lead a rich and wealthy life.
These customs hark back to the Joseon period and they’re often carried out today – though with modern twists. Many families consider it a time to get together, have fun and take professional pictures of their baby in traditional Korean clothing.