Wishing someone a happy birthday is a fundamental part of social interaction. This guide covers the essential Korean expressions for celebrating birthdays, from the basic “Happy Birthday” to more elaborate wishes and related cultural practices. You’ll learn how to congratulate friends, family, and colleagues appropriately in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most standard and widely used way to say “Happy Birthday” in Korean.
- Expression: 생일 축하해요 (Saengil chukahaeyo) / 생일 축하합니다 (Saengil chukahamnida)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il chu-ka-hae-yo / Saeng-il chu-ka-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Happy Birthday. (해요 – ‘haeyo’ is polite standard form, 합니다 – ‘hamnida’ is more formal polite form). For close friends younger than you or the same age, you can use the informal 생일 축하해 (Saengil chukahae).
Basic Birthday Phrases
Here are some fundamental phrases related to birthdays in Korea.
- Expression: 생일 (Saengil)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il
Meaning: Birthday - Expression: 생신 (Saengsin)
Pronunciation: Saeng-shin
Meaning: Birthday (Honorific form, used for elders like grandparents) - Expression: 생신 축하드려요 (Saengsin chukadeuryeoyo) / 생신 축하드립니다 (Saengsin chukadeurimnida)
Pronunciation: Saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-ryeo-yo / Saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-rim-ni-da
Meaning: Happy Birthday (Honorific, used for elders) - Expression: 오늘 누구 생일이에요? (Oneul nugu saengirieyo?)
Pronunciation: O-neul nu-gu saeng-il-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Whose birthday is it today? - Expression: 제 생일이에요. (Je saengirieyo.)
Pronunciation: Je saeng-il-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s my birthday. - Expression: 생일 선물 (Saengil seonmul)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il seon-mul
Meaning: Birthday present - Expression: 생일 케이크 (Saengil keikeu)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il ke-i-keu
Meaning: Birthday cake - Expression: 생일 파티 (Saengil pati)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il pa-ti
Meaning: Birthday party - Expression: 생일 카드 (Saengil kadeu)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il ka-deu
Meaning: Birthday card - Expression: 미역국 (Miyeokguk)
Pronunciation: Mi-yeok-guk
Meaning: Seaweed soup (Traditionally eaten on birthdays) - Expression: 몇 살이에요? (Myeot sarieyo?)
Pronunciation: Myeot sal-i-e-yo?
Meaning: How old are you? (Use with caution, can be sensitive) - Expression: 나이 (Nai)
Pronunciation: Na-i
Meaning: Age
More Ways to Wish Happy Birthday
Expand your birthday wishes with these additional expressions.
- Expression: 멋진 생일 보내세요! (Meotjin saengil bonaeseyo!)
Pronunciation: Meot-jin saeng-il bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: Have a wonderful birthday! - Expression: 행복한 생일 되세요! (Haengbokan saengil doeseyo!)
Pronunciation: Haeng-bok-an saeng-il doe-se-yo!
Meaning: Have a happy birthday! - Expression: 오늘 하루 즐겁게 보내세요! (Oneul haru jeulgeopge bonaeseyo!)
Pronunciation: O-neul ha-ru jeul-geop-ge bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: Have a fun day today! - Expression: 생일 축하하고, 항상 건강하세요. (Saengil chukahago, hangsang geonganghaseyo.)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il chu-ka-ha-go, hang-sang geon-gang-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Happy birthday, and stay healthy always. - Expression: 모든 소원이 이루어지길 바라요. (Modeun sowoni irueojigil barayo.)
Pronunciation: Mo-deun so-won-i i-ru-eo-ji-gil ba-ra-yo.
Meaning: I hope all your wishes come true. - Expression: 늦었지만 생일 축하해요! (Neujeotjiman saengil chukahaeyo!)
Pronunciation: Neu-jeot-ji-man saeng-il chu-ka-hae-yo!
Meaning: Belated happy birthday! - Expression: 태어나줘서 고마워요. (Taeeonajwoseo gomawoyo.)
Pronunciation: Tae-eo-na-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you for being born. (Often used between close friends or partners) - Expression: 생일 축하 메시지 고마워요. (Saengil chuka mesiji gomawoyo.)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il chu-ka me-si-ji go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you for the birthday message. - Expression: 덕분에 좋은 생일 보냈어요. (Deokbune joeun saengil bonaesseoyo.)
Pronunciation: Deok-bun-e jo-eun saeng-il bo-nae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I had a great birthday. - Expression: 생일 선물 고마워요. (Saengil seonmul gomawoyo.)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il seon-mul go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you for the birthday present. - Expression: 앞으로도 좋은 일만 가득하길 바라요. (Apeurodo joeun ilman gadeukagil barayo.)
Pronunciation: Ap-eu-ro-do jo-eun il-man ga-deuk-a-gil ba-ra-yo.
Meaning: I hope only good things happen to you in the future.
Asking About Birthdays
Learn how to inquire about someone’s birthday politely.
- Expression: 생일이 언제예요? (Saengiri eonjeyeyo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is your birthday? - Expression: 생일이 며칠이에요? (Saengiri myeochirieyo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il-i myeo-chil-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What date is your birthday? - Expression: 생일이 몇 월 며칠이에요? (Saengiri myeot wol myeochirieyo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il-i myeot wol myeo-chil-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What month and day is your birthday? - Expression: 제 생일은 [월]월 [일]일이에요. (Je saengireun [wol]wol [il]irieyo.)
Pronunciation: Je saeng-il-eun [wol]-wol [il]-il-i-e-yo.
Meaning: My birthday is on [Month] [Day]. (e.g., 제 생일은 10월 25일이에요 – My birthday is October 25th) - Expression: 혹시 생일이 오늘이에요? (Hoksi saengiri oneurieyo?)
Pronunciation: Hok-shi saeng-il-i o-neul-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is your birthday perhaps today? - Expression: 생일 때 보통 뭐 해요? (Saengil ttae botong mwo haeyo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il ttae bo-tong mwo hae-yo?
Meaning: What do you usually do on your birthday? - Expression: 생일 파티 할 거예요? (Saengil pati hal geoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il pa-ti hal geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Are you going to have a birthday party? - Expression: 생일 선물로 뭐 받고 싶어요? (Saengil seonmullo mwo batgo sipeoyo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il seon-mul-lo mwo bat-go ship-eo-yo?
Meaning: What do you want for your birthday present? - Expression: 무슨 띠예요? (Museun ttiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: Mu-seun tti-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is your zodiac animal sign? (Related to birth year) - Expression: 생일 축하 노래 불러 줄까요? (Saengil chuka norae bulleo julkkayo?)
Pronunciation: Saeng-il chu-ka no-rae bul-leo jul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I sing the Happy Birthday song for you?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding cultural context enhances language use. Here are some points about Korean birthdays:
- Age Calculation: Traditionally, Koreans are considered one year old at birth and everyone gains a year on January 1st (Lunar New Year also played a role historically). While the international age system is now officially used for legal and administrative purposes since June 2023, the traditional “Korean age” is still commonly referenced in social contexts. Be mindful of this potential difference when discussing age.
- Miyeokguk (Seaweed Soup): Eating 미역국 (Miyeokguk) on one’s birthday is a deep-rooted tradition. It’s the same soup new mothers eat after giving birth, symbolizing appreciation for one’s mother.
- Honorifics (Saengil vs. Saengsin): Always use the honorific term 생신 (Saengsin) and the corresponding verb form 축하드려요/축하드립니다 (chukadeuryeoyo/chukadeurimnida) when wishing happy birthday to someone significantly older or in a position of authority (e.g., grandparents, teachers, boss). Using 생일 (Saengil) would be disrespectful.
- Group Celebrations: Birthday celebrations, especially among younger generations, often involve friends gathering for a meal, cake, and sometimes drinks or karaoke (노래방 – noraebang). The birthday person is often treated by their friends.
- Gifts: While gifts are common, cash is also a very acceptable and often preferred gift, especially for young adults or at milestone birthdays like 환갑 (Hwangap – 60th birthday).
Real Conversation Example
This example shows how friends might talk about an upcoming birthday.
Situation: Two friends, Minjun and Sora, are chatting. Minjun remembers Sora’s birthday is approaching.
Roles:
* A: Minjun (민준)
* B: Sora (소라)
- Expression: A: 소라야, 다음 주 금요일이 너 생일 맞지? (Soraya, daeum ju geumyoiri neo saengil matji?)
Pronunciation: So-ra-ya, da-eum ju geum-yo-il-i neo saeng-il mat-ji?
Meaning: Sora, next Friday is your birthday, right? - Expression: B: 어, 맞아! 어떻게 기억했어? (Eo, maja! Eotteoke gieokaesseo?)
Pronunciation: Eo, ma-ja! Eo-tteo-ke gi-eok-hae-sseo?
Meaning: Oh, right! How did you remember? - Expression: A: 작년에 같이 파티했잖아. 벌써 1년이네. 뭐 특별한 계획 있어? (Jangnyeone gachi patihaetjana. Beolsseo illyeonine. Mwo teukbyeolhan gyehoek isseo?)
Pronunciation: Jang-nyeon-e ga-chi pa-ti-haet-ja-na. Beol-sseo il-nyeon-i-ne. Mwo teuk-byeol-han gye-hoek i-sseo?
Meaning: We had a party together last year. It’s already been a year. Do you have any special plans? - Expression: B: 음.. 아직. 그냥 친구들이랑 저녁 먹을까 생각 중이야. (Eum.. ajik. Geunyang chingudeurirang jeonyeok meogeulkka saenggak jungiya.)
Pronunciation: Eum.. a-jik. Geu-nyang chin-gu-deu-ri-rang jeo-nyeok meo-geul-kka saeng-gak jung-i-ya.
Meaning: Hmm.. not yet. I’m just thinking about having dinner with friends. - Expression: A: 좋아! 그럼 내가 맛있는 거 사줄게! 미리 생일 축하해! (Joa! Geureom naega masinneun geo sajulge! Miri saengil chukahae!)
Pronunciation: Jo-a! Geu-reom nae-ga ma-sin-neun geo sa-jul-ge! Mi-ri saeng-il chu-ka-hae!
Meaning: Great! Then I’ll treat you to something delicious! Happy birthday in advance! - Expression: B: 와, 진짜? 고마워 민준아! (Wa, jinjja? Gomawo Minjun-a!)
Pronunciation: Wa, jin-jja? Go-ma-wo Min-jun-a!
Meaning: Wow, really? Thanks, Minjun!
Practice Tips
Now you know various ways to say Happy Birthday in Korean! Try using these phrases when your Korean friends have birthdays~ Remembering to use 생신 (Saengsin) for elders is super important! Practice asking people when their birthday is using 생일이 언제예요? (Saengiri eonjeyeyo?). Don’t forget to eat 미역국 (Miyeokguk) on your own birthday for the full Korean experience! Keep practicing, and soon wishing someone a happy birthday in Korean will feel completely natural~! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)
