How to Say Happy Birthday in Korean Like a Pro: A Comprehensive Guide
Hi, readers!
Are you ready to add a touch of Korean to your birthday wishes? Whether you’re celebrating your own birthday, sending a thoughtful message to a friend, or simply impressing everyone with your linguistic skills, this guide has everything you need to master the Korean art of birthday salutations.
Formal Greetings
If you want to wish someone a formal and respectful happy birthday, you can use the following phrase:
생신 축하합니다 (saeng-sin chug-ha-hamnida)
This phrase literally means "Congratulations on your birthday." It’s a polite and appropriate choice for colleagues, acquaintances, or people you don’t know very well.
Informal Greetings
For a more casual and friendly birthday wish, you can use these phrases:
생일 축하해 (saeng-il chug-ha-hae)
This phrase is a more informal way to say "Happy Birthday." It’s a great choice for friends, family, and those you’re close with.
생일 축하 (saeng-il chug-ha)
This phrase is even more casual than the previous one, and it’s often used in birthday songs or messages meant for a close friend or family member.
Additional Phrases
Here are a few additional phrases that you can use to add some extra flair to your birthday wishes:
- 오래오래 사세요 (oh-rae-oh-rae sa-se-yo) – May you live long and well.
- 건강하세요 (geon-gang-ha-se-yo) – May you be healthy.
- 행복하세요 (haeng-bok-ha-se-yo) – May you be happy.
Table of Korean Birthday Greetings
| Formal | Informal | Additional |
|---|---|---|
| 생신 축하합니다 (saeng-sin chug-ha-hamnida) | 생일 축하해 (saeng-il chug-ha-hae) | 오래오래 사세요 (oh-rae-oh-rae sa-se-yo) |
| 생일 축하 (saeng-il chug-ha) | 건강하세요 (geon-gang-ha-se-yo) | |
| 행복하세요 (haeng-bok-ha-se-yo) |
Conclusion
Now that you know how to say happy birthday in Korean, you’re ready to spread joy and well wishes like a local! Remember to tailor your greeting to the level of formality you want to convey, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different phrases to add a personal touch.
If you’re looking to explore other aspects of Korean culture and language, we encourage you to check out our other articles on Korean greetings, grammar, and more. With a little practice, you’ll be speaking Korean like a pro in no time!
FAQ about ‘How to Say Happy Birthday in Korean’
1. What is the most common way to say "Happy Birthday" in Korean?
생일 축하합니다. (saeng-il chuk-ha-ham-ni-da)
2. How do you say "Happy Birthday" to someone older than you?
존경합니다. 생일 축하합니다. (jon-gyeong-ham-ni-da. saeng-il chuk-ha-ham-ni-da)
3. How do you say "Happy Birthday" to someone younger than you?
생일 축하해. (saeng-il chuk-ha-hae)
4. What are some other ways to say "Happy Birthday" in Korean?
- 탄생일 축하합니다. (tan-sang-il chuk-ha-ham-ni-da)
- 즐거운 생신을 맞이하세요. (jeul-geo-un saeng-sin-eul ma-ji-hae-seo)
5. How do you sing "Happy Birthday" in Korean?
생일 축하합니다
생일 축하합니다
생신을 축하해요
사랑하는 사람 생신을 축하해요.
6. What are some Korean birthday traditions?
- Eating seaweed soup (미역국)
- Giving birthday cakes and presents
- Celebrating with family and friends
7. What are some common birthday wishes in Korean?
- 건강하세요. (geon-gang-ha-se-yo) – May you be healthy.
- 많은 복을 받으세요. (ma-nyeo bog-eul bat-eu-se-yo) – May you receive many blessings.
- 행복하세요. (haeng-bok-ha-se-yo) – May you be happy.
8. How do you respond to "Happy Birthday" in Korean?
- 감사합니다. (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) – Thank you.
- 생일 축하해 주셔서 감사합니다. (saeng-il chuk-ha-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da) – Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday.
9. What is the difference between "생신" (saeng-sin) and "생일" (saeng-il)?
"생일" refers to the day on which you were born. "생신" refers to the anniversary of your birth.
10. How do you write "Happy Birthday" in Korean characters?
- 생일 축하합니다: 생일 축하합니다
- 탄생일 축하합니다: 誕生日 祝賀합니다
