🔗 FB.TikTok / Sound Problem? >> Click here to open in New Window

How to say Happy Birthday in Korean: saeng il chuk ha hae yo

---
👩🏫 Teacher's Tip
Tap to start learning!
---
---
💡 Click the correct answer to view a detailed explanation.
🤖
Ask AI Tutor
Have questions about Korean? Ask AI Teacher!
Free Personal Korean Tutor
1,000+ Essential Korean sentences / free

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When do Koreans say "Happy birthday" — 생일 축하해요 (saengil chukha haeyo)?

Koreans use it on birthdays, at parties, or when sending messages to friends and family.

Q2. Is "Happy birthday" — 생일 축하해요 (saengil chukha haeyo) polite enough?

Yes. "생일 축하해요 (saengil chukha haeyo)" is polite and warm. You can also say "생일 축하해 (saengil chukha hae)" casually.

Q3. What should I say at a birthday party?

You can say "Happy birthday! Have a great day" — 생일 축하해요! 좋은 하루 되세요 (saengil chukha haeyo! joeun haru doeseyo).

EPS TOPIK: How to Say "Happy Birthday" in Korean

What does "생일 축하해요 (saengil chukhahaeyo)" mean?

생일 축하해요 means "Happy birthday." 생일 (saengil) = birthday, 축하해요 (chukhahaeyo) = congratulations. Most common birthday greeting in Korea. Used at parties, messages, calls. Warm, cheerful.

Polite: 생일 축하해요 (saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo) - Standard
Formal: 생일 축하드립니다 (saeng-il chuk-ha-deu-rim-ni-da) - Elders, formal
Casual: 생일 축하해 (saeng-il chuk-ha-hae) - Friends, peers

Grammar Breakdown

생일 (saengil) = birthday (noun)
축하하다 (chukahada) = to congratulate
해요 / 드립니다 (haeyo / deurimnida) = polite / formal humble
→ 생일 축하해요 = Birthday congratulation → Happy birthday.

When to Use It

1. Birthday party: Direct greeting.
2. Message/card: Send wishes.
3. Family/friends: Show care.

Real-Life Examples

생일 축하해요! 좋은 하루 되세요! saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo! jo-eun ha-ru doe-se-yo!

Happy birthday! Have a great day!

생일 축하드립니다. 건강하세요. saeng-il chuk-ha-deu-rim-ni-da. geon-gang-ha-se-yo.

Happy birthday. Wish you health. (Formal)

생일 축하해! 파티 가자! saeng-il chuk-ha-hae! pa-ti ga-ja!

Happy birthday! Let's party! (Casual)

생일 축하해요! 선물이에요. saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo! seon-mul-i-e-yo.

Happy birthday! It's a gift.

Similar Expressions

• 생일 축하합니다 (saengil chukhahamnida) - Happy birthday (formal)
• 행복한 생일 되세요 (haengbokhan saengil doeseyo) - Have a happy birthday
• 생일 축하 노래 (saengil chukha norae) - Birthday song

📈 Today's Most Viewed Quiz • Chosen by our 150,000 FB Followers

🔤 Browse Words/Sentences Alphabetically

© 2026 K-Free. All rights reserved.