Attending a Korean wedding is a joyous occasion, and knowing how to offer sincere congratulations is essential. This guide provides key Korean phrases and expressions for congratulating the happy couple, along with cultural insights to help you navigate the event respectfully and warmly. Learn how to express your best wishes effectively in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most standard and widely used phrase to congratulate someone on their wedding.
- Expression: 결혼 축하해요 (Gyeolhon chukahaeyo)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon choo-kah-hae-yo
Meaning: Congratulations on your wedding. (Standard politeness)
Basic Congratulations
Here are various ways to offer congratulations, suitable for different levels of formality and relationships.
- Expression: 결혼 축하드립니다 (Gyeolhon chukadeurimnida)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon choo-kah-deu-rim-nee-da
Meaning: Congratulations on your wedding. (Formal) - Expression: 결혼 진심으로 축하해! (Gyeolhon jinsimeuro chukahae!)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon jin-shim-eu-ro choo-kah-hae!
Meaning: Sincere congratulations on your wedding! (Informal, to a close friend) - Expression: 결혼 축하한다! (Gyeolhon chukahanda!)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon choo-kah-han-da!
Meaning: Congrats on the wedding! (Casual, often used by older speakers to younger ones or between close male friends) - Expression: 결혼을 축하하며 (Gyeolhoneul chukahamyeo)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon-eul choo-kah-ha-myuh
Meaning: Celebrating your wedding / With congratulations on your wedding (Often used in writing, like on cards) - Expression: 두 분의 결혼을 진심으로 축하드립니다 (Du bunui gyeolhoneul jinsimeuro chukadeurimnida)
Pronunciation: doo boon-eui gyul-hon-eul jin-shim-eu-ro choo-kah-deu-rim-nee-da
Meaning: I sincerely congratulate you both on your wedding. (Formal and heartfelt) - Expression: 오늘 정말 축하할 날이네요 (Oneul jeongmal chukahal narineyo)
Pronunciation: oh-neul jung-mal choo-kah-hal na-ree-neh-yo
Meaning: Today is truly a day for celebration. - Expression: 축하, 축하! (Chuka, chuka!)
Pronunciation: choo-kah, choo-kah!
Meaning: Congrats, congrats! (Very casual and cheerful) - Expression: 결혼 소식 들었어요. 축하해요! (Gyeolhon sosik deureosseoyo. Chukahaeyo!)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon so-shik deu-ruh-ssuh-yo. choo-kah-hae-yo!
Meaning: I heard the news about your wedding. Congratulations! - Expression: 늦었지만 결혼 축하해요 (Neujeotjiman gyeolhon chukahaeyo)
Pronunciation: neu-jut-jee-man gyul-hon choo-kah-hae-yo
Meaning: Belated congratulations on your wedding. - Expression: 세상에서 가장 행복한 부부가 되세요 (Sesangeseo gajang haengbokan bubuga doeseyo)
Pronunciation: seh-sahng-eh-suh ga-jang haeng-bok-han boo-boo-ga dweh-seh-yo
Meaning: Become the happiest couple in the world. - Expression: 축하의 말씀을 전합니다 (Chukaui malsseumeul jeonhamnida)
Pronunciation: choo-kah-eui mal-sseum-eul jun-ham-nee-da
Meaning: I offer my words of congratulations. (Formal)
Wishing Well Phrases
Express your hopes for the couple’s happy future together with these phrases.
- Expression: 오래오래 행복하세요 (Orae orae haengbokhaseyo)
Pronunciation: oh-rae oh-rae haeng-bok-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: Be happy for a long, long time. - Expression: 행복하게 잘 살아요! (Haengbokhage jal sarayo!)
Pronunciation: haeng-bok-ha-geh jal sa-ra-yo!
Meaning: Live happily ever after! (Standard polite) - Expression: 행복하게 잘 살아! (Haengbokhage jal sara!)
Pronunciation: haeng-bok-ha-geh jal sa-ra!
Meaning: Live happily ever after! (Informal, to a close friend) - Expression: 두 분 앞날에 행복만 가득하길 바랍니다 (Du bun amnal-e haengbongman gadeukagil baramnida)
Pronunciation: doo boon ap-nal-eh haeng-bok-man ga-deu-ka-gil ba-ram-nee-da
Meaning: I hope your future together is filled only with happiness. (Formal) - Expression: 예쁜 아기 낳고 행복하게 사세요 (Yeppeun agi nako haengbokhage saseyo)
Pronunciation: yeh-ppeun ah-gee na-ko haeng-bok-ha-geh sa-seh-yo
Meaning: Have beautiful babies and live happily. (Common, but use discretion based on the couple) - Expression: 서로 아끼고 사랑하며 행복하세요 (Seoro akkigo saranghamyeo haengbokhaseyo)
Pronunciation: suh-ro ah-kkee-go sa-rang-ha-myuh haeng-bok-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: Cherish and love each other and be happy. - Expression: 항상 웃음꽃 피는 가정이 되기를 바랍니다 (Hangsang useumkkot pineun gajeongi doegireul baramnida)
Pronunciation: hang-sang oo-seum-kkot pee-neun ga-jung-ee dweh-gee-reul ba-ram-nee-da
Meaning: I hope your home will always be filled with laughter (lit. flowers of laughter bloom). - Expression: 검은 머리 파뿌리 될 때까지 행복하세요 (Geomeun meori pappuri doel ttaekkaji haengbokhaseyo)
Pronunciation: guh-meun muh-ree pa-ppoo-ree dwel ttae-kka-jee haeng-bok-ha-seh-yo
Meaning: Be happy until your black hair turns white like green onion roots (A traditional saying meaning ‘live happily ever after’). - Expression: 아름다운 시작을 축하하며, 늘 행복이 함께하길 기원합니다 (Areumdaun sijageul chukahamyeo, neul haengbogi hamkkehagil giwonhamnida)
Pronunciation: ah-reum-da-oon shee-jak-eul choo-kah-ha-myuh, neul haeng-bok-ee ham-kkeh-ha-gil gee-won-ham-nee-da
Meaning: Congratulations on your beautiful beginning, I wish you always happiness together. - Expression: 멋진 부부가 될 거예요 (Meotjin bubuga doel geoyeyo)
Pronunciation: mut-jin boo-boo-ga dwel guh-yeh-yo
Meaning: You will be a wonderful couple. - Expression: 꽃길만 걸으세요 (Kkotgilman georeuseyo)
Pronunciation: kkot-gil-man guh-reu-seh-yo
Meaning: May you only walk on paths of flowers (Wishing them a smooth and happy life).
Complimenting the Couple
Offering compliments is a warm way to share in the joy of the day.
- Expression: 신부님 정말 아름다우세요 (Sinbunim jeongmal areumdausyeoyo)
Pronunciation: shin-boo-nim jung-mal ah-reum-da-oo-shuh-yo
Meaning: The bride is truly beautiful. - Expression: 신랑님 정말 멋지세요 (Sillangnim jeongmal meotjiseyo)
Pronunciation: shil-lang-nim jung-mal mut-jee-sheh-yo
Meaning: The groom looks really handsome/cool. - Expression: 두 분 정말 잘 어울려요 (Du bun jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo)
Pronunciation: doo boon jung-mal jal uh-ool-lyuh-yo
Meaning: You two look really good together. - Expression: 선남선녀가 따로 없네요 (Seonnamseonnyeoga ttaro eomneyo)
Pronunciation: sun-nam-sun-nyuh-ga tta-ro um-neh-yo
Meaning: You’re the perfect couple (lit. There’s no separate handsome man and beautiful woman, implying they are the epitome). - Expression: 오늘 최고로 예뻐요! (Oneul choegoro yeppeoyo!)
Pronunciation: oh-neul chweh-go-ro yeh-ppuh-yo!
Meaning: You look the prettiest today! (To the bride, can be said warmly) - Expression: 오늘 최고로 멋있어요! (Oneul choegoro meosisseoyo!)
Pronunciation: oh-neul chweh-go-ro muh-shi-ssuh-yo!
Meaning: You look the most handsome today! (To the groom, can be said warmly) - Expression: 드레스가 정말 잘 어울려요 (Deuresseuga jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo)
Pronunciation: deu-reh-sseu-ga jung-mal jal uh-ool-lyuh-yo
Meaning: The dress suits you really well. - Expression: 턱시도가 정말 잘 어울려요 (Teoksidoga jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo)
Pronunciation: tuk-shi-do-ga jung-mal jal uh-ool-lyuh-yo
Meaning: The tuxedo suits you really well. - Expression: 두 분 모습이 정말 보기 좋아요 (Du bun moseubi jeongmal bogi joayo)
Pronunciation: doo boon mo-seub-ee jung-mal bo-gee jo-ah-yo
Meaning: It’s really nice to see you two together. - Expression: 행복해 보여서 저도 기분이 좋네요 (Haengbokhae boyeoseo jeodo gibuni joneyo)
Pronunciation: haeng-bok-hae bo-yuh-suh juh-do gee-boon-ee jo-neh-yo
Meaning: Seeing you look so happy makes me feel good too. - Expression: 결혼식장이 정말 예쁘네요 (Gyeolhonsikjangi jeongmal yeppeuneyo)
Pronunciation: gyul-hon-shik-jang-ee jung-mal yeh-ppeu-neh-yo
Meaning: The wedding hall is really beautiful.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points will enhance your experience at a Korean wedding.
- Gift Money (축의금 – Chugui-geum): It’s customary to give cash gifts in white envelopes. The amount often depends on your relationship with the couple (typically starting from ₩50,000 and often in increments of ₩10,000, avoiding amounts starting with ‘4’). There’s usually a reception desk where you hand in the envelope (often with your name written on it) and sign a guest book. You’ll likely receive a meal voucher in return.
- Attire: Guests usually dress smartly. Men often wear suits, and women wear dresses, skirts, or smart trousers. Avoid wearing white, as this color is typically reserved for the bride. Black is acceptable, but very bright or overly casual clothing might be inappropriate.
- Ceremony and Reception: Korean weddings can be quite efficient. The ceremony itself might be relatively short (around 30 minutes to an hour), often followed immediately by group photos (family, friends, colleagues). Afterwards, guests proceed to a reception hall (usually in the same building) for a buffet meal. The couple will often change into traditional Hanbok and greet guests at the reception.
- Greeting the Parents: It’s polite to greet the parents of the bride and groom, who usually stand near the entrance or reception area welcoming guests. A simple bow and “축하드립니다” (Chukadeurimnida – Congratulations) is appropriate.
- Timing: While there’s an official start time, guests often arrive shortly before, hand in their gift money, and find a seat. It’s common for some guests, especially if less close to the couple, to eat quickly and leave after greeting the couple during the reception.
Real Conversation Example
This example shows a guest congratulating the groom after the ceremony.
- Situation: A guest (A) approaches the groom (B) during the photo session or at the reception entrance.
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Roles: A: Guest, B: Groom
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Expression: A: 신랑님, 결혼 진심으로 축하드립니다!
Pronunciation: A: shil-lang-nim, gyul-hon jin-shim-eu-ro choo-kah-deu-rim-nee-da!
Meaning: A: Groom, sincere congratulations on your wedding! - Expression: B: 아, 와주셔서 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: B: ah, wa-joo-shyuh-suh jung-mal gam-sa-ham-nee-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, thank you so much for coming. - Expression: A: 오늘 정말 멋지세요. 신부님도 너무 아름다우시고요. 두 분 정말 잘 어울려요.
Pronunciation: A: oh-neul jung-mal mut-jee-seh-yo. shin-boo-nim-do nuh-moo ah-reum-da-oo-shi-go-yo. doo boon jung-mal jal uh-ool-lyuh-yo.
Meaning: A: You look really great today. The bride is so beautiful too. You two look really good together. - Expression: B: 하하, 감사합니다. 덕분에 힘이 나네요. 식사는 맛있게 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: B: ha-ha, gam-sa-ham-nee-da. duk-boon-eh him-ee na-neh-yo. shik-sa-neun ma-shit-geh ha-shyuh-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: B: Haha, thank you. That gives me energy. Did you enjoy the meal? / Are you enjoying the meal? (Depending on timing) - Expression: A: 네, 맛있게 먹고 있습니다 / 이제 가려고요. 오래오래 행복하게 잘 사세요!
Pronunciation: A: neh, ma-shit-geh muk-go it-seum-nee-da / ee-jeh ga-ryuh-go-yo. oh-rae-oh-rae haeng-bok-ha-geh jal sa-seh-yo!
Meaning: A: Yes, I’m enjoying it / I’m about to go now. Live happily for a long, long time! - Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다! 조심히 가세요.
Pronunciation: B: neh, gam-sa-ham-nee-da! jo-shim-hee ga-seh-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you! Get home safely.
Practice Tips
Now that you have these useful phrases, try practicing them! Listen to how Koreans say them in dramas or movies featuring wedding scenes~ You can also practice saying them aloud to get used to the pronunciation. If you have Korean friends, try using the phrases when they talk about weddings. Remember, sincerity is key when offering congratulations! Good luck~!
