How to say "Happy birthday" in Korean

The natural way Koreans say "Happy birthday" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.

When to use it

Korean does not wish you a happy one - it congratulates you on it. The verb is 축하하다, the same one used for graduations, weddings and promotions.

Polite form

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  생일 축하해요

  saengil chukahaeyo

  Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.

Other ways to say it

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  생일 축하합니다

  saengil chukahamnida

  = Happy birthday (formal)

  To someone older or at work. This is also the line in the birthday song.
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  축하해

  chukahae

  = Congratulations

  Drop 생일 and it works for any good news at all.
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  태어나 줘서 고마워

  taeeona jwoseo gomawo

  = Thank you for being born

  Sentimental, and very common in messages to someone close.

In a sentence

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  생일 축하해! 선물 준비했어.

  saengil chukahae! seonmul junbihaesseo.

  Happy birthday! I got you a present.
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  늦었지만 생일 축하해요.

  neujeotjiman saengil chukahaeyo.

  Happy belated birthday.