Attending a Korean baby’s first birthday celebration, known as Doljanchi (돌잔치), is a joyous occasion. Knowing how to offer appropriate congratulations and well wishes is essential for showing respect and sharing in the family’s happiness. This guide provides key Korean phrases and cultural insights for celebrating a baby’s first birthday.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 첫돌 축하해요!
Pronunciation: cheot-dol chuk-ha-hae-yo!
Meaning: Congratulations on the first birthday! (This is the most common and direct way to congratulate.)
Basic Congratulatory Phrases
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Expression: 아기 첫돌 진심으로 축하드립니다.
Pronunciation: a-gi cheot-dol jin-sim-eu-ro chuk-ha-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I sincerely congratulate you on your baby’s first birthday. (Formal) -
Expression: 돌잔치 축하해요!
Pronunciation: dol-jan-chi chuk-ha-hae-yo!
Meaning: Congratulations on the Doljanchi! -
Expression: 아기가 벌써 첫돌이라니, 정말 축하해요.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga beol-sseo cheot-dol-i-ra-ni, jeong-mal chuk-ha-hae-yo.
Meaning: I can’t believe the baby is already one year old, congratulations! -
Expression: 오늘 주인공 정말 예쁘네요/멋지네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul ju-in-gong jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo / meot-ji-ne-yo.
Meaning: Today’s star (the baby) is really pretty/handsome. -
Expression: 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: cho-dae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for inviting me. -
Expression: 아기 너무 귀여워요!
Pronunciation: a-gi neo-mu gwi-yeo-wo-yo!
Meaning: The baby is so cute! -
Expression: 부모님도 정말 수고 많으셨어요.
Pronunciation: bu-mo-nim-do jeong-mal su-go man-eu-syeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The parents also worked really hard (over the past year). -
Expression: 돌잔치 준비하시느라 고생하셨습니다.
Pronunciation: dol-jan-chi jun-bi-ha-si-neu-ra go-saeng-ha-syeoss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You went through a lot preparing for the Doljanchi. -
Expression: 아기가 건강하게 자라길 바랍니다.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga geon-gang-ha-ge ja-ra-gil ba-ram-ni-da.
Meaning: I hope the baby grows up healthy. -
Expression: 앞으로도 행복한 일만 가득하길 기원합니다.
Pronunciation: a-peu-ro-do haeng-bok-han il-man ga-deuk-ha-gil gi-won-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I wish you (the family) full of happiness in the future as well.
Wishing Well for the Baby
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Expression: 아기가 건강하고 씩씩하게 자라렴!
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga geon-gang-ha-go ssik-ssik-ha-ge ja-ra-ryeom!
Meaning: May the baby grow up healthy and strong! (Casual, often written in cards) -
Expression: 밝고 지혜로운 아이로 자라길 바라요.
Pronunciation: bak-go ji-hye-ro-un a-i-ro ja-ra-gil ba-ra-yo.
Meaning: I hope the baby grows up to be a bright and wise child. -
Expression: 항상 웃음 가득한 아이가 되기를.
Pronunciation: hang-sang us-eum ga-deuk-han a-i-ga doe-gi-reul.
Meaning: May the baby always be full of laughter. -
Expression: 무럭무럭 건강하게 자라세요.
Pronunciation: mu-reok-mu-reok geon-gang-ha-ge ja-ra-se-yo.
Meaning: Please grow up big and healthy. -
Expression: 아기의 앞날에 축복이 가득하길.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ui ap-nal-e chuk-bok-i ga-deuk-ha-gil.
Meaning: May the baby’s future be full of blessings. -
Expression: 사랑 많이 받고 자라렴.
Pronunciation: sa-rang man-i bat-go ja-ra-ryeom.
Meaning: Grow up receiving lots of love. (Casual) -
Expression: 세상의 모든 좋은 것들을 경험하길 바라.
Pronunciation: se-sang-ui mo-deun jo-eun geot-deul-eul gyeong-heom-ha-gil ba-ra.
Meaning: I hope you experience all the good things in the world. (Casual) -
Expression: 씩씩하고 용감하게 자라주세요.
Pronunciation: ssik-ssik-ha-go yong-gam-ha-ge ja-ra-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please grow up strong and brave. -
Expression: 총명하고 건강한 아이로 자라길 응원합니다.
Pronunciation: chong-myeong-ha-go geon-gang-han a-i-ro ja-ra-gil eung-won-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I cheer for the baby to grow up bright and healthy. -
Expression: 아기의 꿈을 항상 응원할게요.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ui kkum-eul hang-sang eung-won-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will always support the baby’s dreams.
Complimenting the Baby and Parents
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Expression: 아기가 엄마/아빠를 많이 닮았네요.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga eom-ma / a-ppa-reul man-i dal-mass-ne-yo.
Meaning: The baby resembles the mother/father a lot. -
Expression: 눈이 정말 초롱초롱해요.
Pronunciation: nun-i jeong-mal cho-rong-cho-rong-hae-yo.
Meaning: The baby’s eyes are really sparkling. -
Expression: 웃는 모습이 천사 같아요.
Pronunciation: ut-neun mo-seub-i cheon-sa gat-a-yo.
Meaning: The baby’s smiling face looks like an angel. -
Expression: 돌잔치 정말 멋지게 준비하셨네요.
Pronunciation: dol-jan-chi jeong-mal meot-ji-ge jun-bi-ha-syeoss-ne-yo.
Meaning: You prepared the Doljanchi really wonderfully. -
Expression: 음식도 맛있고 분위기도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-do mas-iss-go bun-wi-gi-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The food is delicious and the atmosphere is great too. -
Expression: 아기 옷이 너무 예뻐요.
Pronunciation: a-gi os-i neo-mu ye-ppeo-yo.
Meaning: The baby’s clothes are so pretty. -
Expression: 부모님 덕분에 아기가 이렇게 잘 컸네요.
Pronunciation: bu-mo-nim deok-bun-e a-gi-ga i-reot-ge jal keoss-ne-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to the parents, the baby has grown so well. -
Expression: 정말 보기 좋은 가족이에요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal bo-gi jo-eun ga-jok-i-e-yo.
Meaning: You are a really lovely family to see. -
Expression: 아기가 참 순하네요.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga cham sun-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The baby is very gentle/calm. -
Expression: 돌잡이 때 뭘 잡을지 기대돼요!
Pronunciation: dol-ja-bi ttae mwol jab-eul-ji gi-dae-dwae-yo!
Meaning: I’m excited to see what the baby will grab during the Doljabi!
Korean Culture Notes
The Significance of Dol (첫돌): The first birthday (Dol) was historically a major milestone in Korea because, due to high infant mortality rates in the past, surviving the first year was a significant achievement. Though conditions have vastly improved, the tradition of celebrating the first birthday grandly continues, signifying wishes for a long, healthy, and prosperous life.
Doljabi (돌잡이): This is the highlight of the Doljanchi. Various items representing different future paths or professions (like a pencil for scholarship, money for wealth, thread for longevity, a stethoscope for medicine) are placed before the baby. The item the baby picks is believed to foretell their future. Guests often enjoy guessing what the baby will choose.
Gift Giving: It is customary for guests to bring gifts to a Doljanchi. Cash gifts (축의금 – chug-ui-geum) are very common, usually presented in a white envelope with the guest’s name written on it. Gold rings were traditional gifts symbolizing wealth and prosperity, though nowadays cash, baby clothes, or practical baby items are also popular.
Food and Celebration: Doljanchi celebrations often involve a large feast with traditional Korean foods like rice cakes (떡 – tteok), fruits, and noodles. The family often wears Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), and the event includes photo sessions and sometimes games or performances for the guests.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Guest A arrives at the Doljanchi venue and greets Parent B (the baby’s mother).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요! 아기 첫돌 정말 축하드려요!
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! a-gi cheot-dol jeong-mal chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo!
Meaning: A: Hello! Congratulations sincerely on your baby’s first birthday! -
Expression: B: 아, 와주셔서 정말 감사합니다! 어서 들어오세요.
Pronunciation: B: a, wa-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! eo-seo deu-reo-o-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, thank you so much for coming! Please come in. -
Expression: A: 초대해 주셔서 제가 더 감사하죠. 아기가 오늘 정말 예쁘네요!
Pronunciation: A: cho-dae-hae ju-syeo-seo je-ga deo gam-sa-ha-jyo. a-gi-ga o-neul jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo!
Meaning: A: I’m more thankful for the invitation. The baby looks really pretty today! -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 돌잔치 준비하느라 정신이 없었네요.
Pronunciation: B: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. dol-jan-chi jun-bi-ha-neu-ra jeong-sin-i eops-eoss-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Thank you. I was so busy preparing for the Doljanchi. -
Expression: A: 정말 멋지게 준비하셨어요. 아기가 건강하고 밝게 자라길 바라요.
Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal meot-ji-ge jun-bi-ha-syeoss-eo-yo. a-gi-ga geon-gang-ha-go bak-ge ja-ra-gil ba-ra-yo.
Meaning: A: You prepared it wonderfully. I hope the baby grows up healthy and bright. -
Expression: B: 좋은 말씀 감사합니다. 즐거운 시간 보내세요!
Pronunciation: B: jo-eun mal-sseum gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jeul-geo-un si-gan bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Thank you for your kind words. Please have a good time!
Practice Tips
Learning these phrases is the first step! Try saying them out loud to get used to the pronunciation~ If you have Korean friends, practice with them or ask them about their Doljanchi experiences. Watching videos of Doljanchi celebrations online can also help you see how these expressions are used in context. Most importantly, if you ever get invited to a Doljanchi, don’t be shy! Use the phrases you’ve learned – the parents will surely appreciate your effort and warm wishes! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
