Common Ways to Say “Happy Birthday” in Korean
When it comes to saying happy birthday in Korean words, the level of formality matters a lot. Depending on who you’re speaking to—an elder, a friend, or a stranger—you’ll need to choose the right expression.
Formal Ways: 생신 축하드립니다 (saengsin chukhadeurimnida)
If you’re addressing someone older or someone you deeply respect, use 생신 축하드립니다.
- 생신 (saengsin) is the honorific form of “birthday.”
- 축하드립니다 (chukhadeurimnida) is a highly respectful way to say “congratulations.”
Example:
- 선생님, 생신 축하드립니다! (Seonsaengnim, saengsin chukhadeurimnida!): Teacher, happy birthday!
Informal Ways: 생일 축하해 (saengil chukhahae)
When you’re wishing happy birthday in Korean language to close friends, younger people, or someone you’re comfortable with, use the informal 생일 축하해.
- 생일 (saengil) simply means “birthday.”
- 축하해 (chukhahae) means “congratulations” informally.
Example:
- 민수야, 생일 축하해! (Minsu-ya, saengil chukhahae!): Minsu, happy birthday!
You can also check out informal greetings like Good Morning in Korean to expand your everyday expressions.
Polite Ways: 생일 축하합니다 (saengil chukhahamnida)
If you want to keep things polite without being overly formal, say 생일 축하합니다. It’s widely used in workplaces, among acquaintances, or in general social settings.
Example:
- 생일 축하합니다! 좋은 하루 보내세요! (Saengil chukhahamnida! Joeun haru bonaeseyo!): Happy birthday! Have a great day!
Additional Birthday-Related Vocabulary
If you really want to master giving a happy birthday greeting in Korean, learning some related words will help make your wishes even more special!
Birthday Cake (생일 케이크 – saengil keikeu)
No birthday is complete without a birthday cake. In Korean, it’s called 생일 케이크.
- Example: 생일 케이크가 정말 맛있어 보여! (The birthday cake looks really delicious!)
Happy Birthday in Korean – Gift (선물 – seonmul)
Giving a gift is a big part of Korean birthday celebrations. The word for “gift” is 선물.
- Example: 생일 선물을 준비했어. (I prepared a birthday gift.)
Explore how to say Thank You in Korean to show appreciation when you receive a gift.
Happy Birthday in Korean – Party (파티 – pati)
In Korea, especially among younger generations, birthday parties are common and often called 파티, a borrowed word from English.
- Example: 오늘 밤에 생일 파티 있어. (There’s a birthday party tonight.)
Happy Birthday in Korean – Invitation (초대장 – chodaejang)
If you’re hosting a party, you’ll need an invitation. In Korean, it’s called 초대장.
- Example: 생일 파티 초대장을 친구들에게 보냈어. (I sent birthday party invitations to my friends.)
Birthday Present (생일 선물 – saengil seonmul)
Specifically, a birthday present is called 생일 선물.
- Example: 엄마를 위해 생일 선물을 샀어. (I bought a birthday present for Mom.)
Happy Birthday in Korean – Candle (초 – cho)
Blowing out candles is a big tradition. A candle is 초 in Korean.
- Example: 케이크에 초를 꽂자! (Let’s put candles on the cake!)
Happy Birthday in Korean – Wish (소원 – sowon)
When blowing out the candles, you make a wish, or 소원.
- Example: 초를 끄기 전에 소원을 빌어야 해. (You have to make a wish before blowing out the candles.)
Happy Birthday in Korean – Celebration (축하 – chukha)
A general word for celebration is 축하.
- Example: 생일 축하해! (Happy birthday!)
Happy Birthday in Korean – Balloons (풍선 – pungseon)
Birthday decorations often include balloons, or 풍선.
- Example: 풍선으로 방을 꾸몄어. (I decorated the room with balloons.)
Birthday Song (생일 축하 노래 – saengil chukha norae)
The birthday song is a must at any party! It’s called 생일 축하 노래.
- Example: 다 같이 생일 축하 노래를 부르자! (Let’s all sing the birthday song together!)
Examples of Using Birthday Phrases in Sentences
Knowing the words is just the start! Let’s see how you can naturally use these phrases in conversations and messages.
How to Use “Happy Birthday” in Conversations
Here are some sample dialogues:
- A to B (formal setting):
A: 오늘 생신이시죠? 생신 축하드립니다! (Today is your birthday, right? Happy birthday!) - B to friend (casual setting):
B: 생일 축하해! 오늘 특별한 계획 있어? (Happy birthday! Do you have any special plans today?)
Using the right tone and formality depending on the situation will show your respect and friendliness.
Writing Korean Birthday Wishes on Cards
When writing a birthday wish in Korean on a card, you can be creative! Here are some ideas:
- Formal: 생신을 진심으로 축하드립니다. 건강과 행복이 가득하시길 바랍니다. (Sincerely wishing you a happy birthday. May you be full of health and happiness.)
- Polite: 생일 축하합니다! 원하는 모든 일이 이루어지길 바랍니다. (Happy birthday! May all your wishes come true.)
- Informal: 생일 축하해! 항상 웃음 가득하길 바래! (Happy birthday! I hope you’re always full of smiles!)
Decorate your card with cute stickers or drawings for extra flair, just like many Koreans do!
Conclusion
Whether you’re saying it to a close friend, a respected elder, or someone you just met, knowing how to say happy birthday in Korean makes your message even more heartfelt. From formal expressions like 생신 축하드립니다 to casual ones like 생일 축하해, you now have the tools to celebrate Korean-style!
Next time you need a happy birthday greeting in Korean, don’t hesitate to personalize it with a few extra words like birthday cake, gift, and party. Korean birthday wishes are not just about the words—they’re about sharing warmth, respect, and genuine happiness.
