KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
생일 축하해요
saeng·il chuk·ha·hae·yo
saengil chukhahaeyo
Happy Birthday
Cultural Insight
Korean birthdays (생일) often feature 미역국 (seaweed soup), a tradition where mothers and children eat this dish on birthdays to honor the mother’s labor. In modern times, cake and parties are also common. The 100th day (백일) and first birthday (돌) are especially celebrated.
Phrase Breakdown
생일
saengil
birthday
생 (birth) + 일 (day); from Chinese 生日
축하해요
chukhahaeyo
congratulations / celebrate
축하하다 = to congratulate; 해요 = polite form
Wishes someone a happy birthday in a warm, polite manner.
Example Phrases
생일 축하해요! 소원이 이뤄지길 바라요.
Saengil chukhahaeyo! Sowoni irwojigil barayo.
Happy birthday! I hope your wish comes true.
소원이 이루어지다 = for a wish to be fulfilled.
오늘 생일이에요? 생일 축하해요!
Oneul saengilieyo? Saengil chukhahaeyo!
Today is your birthday? Happy birthday!
오늘 = today.
생일 축하드립니다!
Saengil chukhadeurimnida!
Happy birthday! (formal/respectful)
드립니다 is the humble/formal form of 해요.
Related Phrases
몇 살이 됐어요?
myeot sari dwaesseoyo?
How old are you now?
Asking age on someone’s birthday.
생일 선물이에요
saengil seomurieyo
It’s a birthday gift
Identifying a birthday present.
케이크 자르기 전에 소원 빌어요
keikeu jareugi jeone sowon bireoyeo
Make a wish before cutting the cake
Prompting the birthday tradition.
Quick Review
도착했어요
Can you recall what this means?
dochakaesseoyo
I’ve arrived / We arrived