How to Say “Happy Birthday” in Korean: 생신 축하드려요, 생일 축하해 (saeng-shin-chu-ka-deu-ryeo-yo, saeng-il-chu-ka-hae)

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How to Say “Happy Birthday” in Korean 🎂
생일 축하해요, 생일 축하합니다, 생신 축하드려요

There are several ways to say “Happy Birthday” in Korean depending on how polite you want to be. Let’s look at the most common forms and when to use each one!

🎉 Basic & Polite

  • 생일 축하해요
    saeng-il chu-ka-hae-yo
    → Happy birthday (polite)
  • 생일 축하합니다
    saeng-il chu-ka-ham-ni-da
    → Happy birthday (formal / written form)
  • 생일 축하해
    saeng-il chu-ka-hae
    → Happy birthday (casual – for friends)

Tip: “생일” means “birthday”, and “축하하다” means “to congratulate.”

🎂 Honorific: For elders or respected people

  • 생신 축하드려요
    saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-ryeo-yo
    → Happy birthday (honorific)
  • 생신 축하드립니다
    saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-rim-ni-da
    → Happy birthday (very formal, respectful)

Note: “생신” is the honorific word for “birthday”, used when speaking to someone older or in a respectful setting.
“드리다” is the honorific form of “to give.” So this version is much more respectful.

🎈 Example Sentences

  • 생일 축하해요! 좋은 하루 보내세요!
    saeng-il chu-ka-hae-yo! jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae-se-yo!
    → Happy birthday! Have a great day!
  • 생신 축하드려요, 건강하세요!
    saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-ryeo-yo, geon-gang-ha-se-yo!
    → Happy birthday (to elder), stay healthy!
  • 생일 축하해! 선물 준비했어.
    saeng-il chu-ka-hae! seon-mul jun-bi-hae-sseo.
    → Happy birthday! I prepared a gift.

🧠 Summary Table

Expression Korean Pronunciation Use
Happy birthday (casual) 생일 축하해 saeng-il chu-ka-hae Close friends, same age
Happy birthday (polite) 생일 축하해요 saeng-il chu-ka-hae-yo General polite
Happy birthday (formal) 생일 축하합니다 saeng-il chu-ka-ham-ni-da Speeches, writing
Happy birthday (honorific) 생신 축하드려요 saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-ryeo-yo To elders
Happy birthday (very formal honorific) 생신 축하드립니다 saeng-shin chu-ka-deu-rim-ni-da To respected elders or in formal events




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