How to say happy birthday in Korean
생일 축하해요
Say it like this: SENG-eel CHOO-ka-heh-yo
To say happy birthday in Korean, you say "생일 축하해요" (saengil chukahaeyo). Korean has different levels of politeness, so you change the ending depending on who you are talking to. Here is the everyday form, plus the casual and very polite ones.
"생일" (saengil) means birthday, and "축하해요" (chukahaeyo) means "I congratulate you" in a friendly, polite way.
Other ways to say happy birthday in Korean
- 생일 축하해 (saengil chukahae)Say it like this: SENG-eel CHOO-ka-hehCasual. For close friends, brothers and sisters, or someone younger than you.
- 생일 축하합니다 (saengil chukahamnida)Say it like this: SENG-eel CHOO-ka-ham-nee-daFormal. Good for workmates, a boss, or a speech. It is also the line used in the song.
- 생신 축하드립니다 (saengsin chukadeurimnida)Say it like this: SENG-sheen CHOO-ka-deu-reem-nee-daThe most respectful form, for grandparents, parents and older people. "생신" is the honour word for birthday.
- 생일 ㅊㅋSay it like this: SENG-eel CHOO-kaText slang. "ㅊㅋ" is short for "축하". Only for friends.
- 행복한 하루 보내세요 (haengbokan haru bonaeseyo)Say it like this: HENG-bo-kan HA-roo bo-NEH-seh-yoMeans "have a happy day". A kind line to add after the greeting.
- 좋은 일만 가득하길 (joeun ilman gadeukagil)Say it like this: JO-eun eel-man ga-DEU-ka-geelMeans "I hope your days are full of only good things". Lovely in a card.
The Happy Birthday song in Korean
생일 축하합니다
생일 축하합니다
사랑하는 [name]의
생일 축하합니다
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune. The third line means "dear [name]'s", so the last two lines say "happy birthday, dear [name]". Friends often clap along, and the English version is also heard.
Birthday customs
- In Korea, it is traditional to eat "miyeok-guk", a seaweed soup, on your birthday. Mothers eat it after giving birth, so it is a way to remember and thank them.
- A baby's first birthday in Korea is a big event called "dol". The baby picks from objects such as a pencil or money, and the choice is said to hint at their future.
- In Korea, a 60th birthday, called "hwangap", has long been a major family celebration.
A quick tip
When in doubt, use "생일 축하해요". It is polite but still friendly, so it works for most people. Save the casual "축하해" for close friends, and use "생신" for grandparents.
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Korean to a friend?
Say "생일 축하해" (SENG-eel CHOO-ka-heh). It is the casual form that friends use with each other.
How do I say it to my grandmother?
Use the respectful form: "할머니, 생신 축하드립니다" (hal-meo-NEE, SENG-sheen CHOO-ka-deu-reem-nee-da).
What do you say back?
Say "고마워요" (go-MA-wo-yo) or the more polite "감사합니다" (gam-sa-ham-nee-da). Both mean thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Korean
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Korean: a gift box to open, confetti, their name in gold and the birthday song. Then send it by WhatsApp, text or email. It is free.