Korean Saeng II: 6 Ways To Say Happy Birthday In Korean
With the delicious 미역국 / mi-yuk-gook (seaweed soup) and your loved one greeting you Happy Birthday in Korean, 생일 축하합니다 (saeng il chuk ha ham ni da), who wouldn’t want to celebrate their birthday 생일 (saeng il)? Knowing how to say Happy Birthday in Korean is not just the only thing you should know. Koreans have their unique way of celebrating birthdays which sets them apart from other cultures. Check the entire blog to learn Korean phrases and expressions related to birthdays.
Koreans Age Counting
Did you know that Koreans age together on the 1st of January? This is an old Chinese tradition that Koreans still practice nowadays. They have a unique way of counting their age. Although Koreans can celebrate their birthday on their actual date of birth, they aren’t considered to age that day. But, they still greet each other Happy Birthday in Korean.
Birthdays are special events in Korean culture. In fact, the biggest celebration of all is a child’s first birthday. Koreans also celebrate two (2) big years, and that is when people turn 60 at 70. To celebrate this, their kids prepare a very festive party and invite friends and families to celebrate. This may include lots of food and other exciting adventures.
Food For Your Birthday
Of course, birthdays are not complete without any food. Koreans have special food that they eat and prepare during their birthdays.
One of the most important birthday dishes in Koreans is 떡국 (Duk-Kook) or Rice Cake Soup. Koreans eat this on the morning of January 1st to celebrate getting a year older. It has sliced rice cakes, meat boiled in a bone broth, and egg. But wait, there more. People say 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (sae-hae-bok ma-ni ba-duh-sae-yo) which means “I wish for you to have a lot of luck in the new year.
In the Korean Drama, remember how Dong-ryong in Reply 1988 badly wanted her mom’s special 미역국 (mi-yuk-gook) or Seaweed Soup on his birthday? This is because it is extraordinary for them to eat it on their actual date of birth. Their mothers traditionally cook it, and the chopped seaweed, a meat of choice, and a little of sesame soil are the ingredients that make it special.
Of course, what’s a birthday in Korean without any birthday cakes? Koreans also celebrate birthdays with cakes. They use candles to indicate their age. Long candles are meant for the first digit of their age, and short candles are for the last digit. Koreans also use fruits to decorate their cakes. What’s exciting about their cakes is that they have green tea and sweet potato flavored cakes.
Gifts
Before you learn how to say Happy Birthday in Korean, you must also learn about the birthday gift-giving traditions of Koreans.
Did you know that Koreans do not usually hold big parties for children? When they turn older, they start to hold parties and have drinks with their friends at the bar. If you are invited to a birthday, you may bring typical gifts and cakes. Elders would prefer it to receive cash for practical reasons.
Koreans also have this thing called 상부상조 (sang bu-sang-jo), which means helping each other with the intention of giving back. This is more meaningful than any other material gift. This symbolizes true friendship. After all, they are not very particular about the gift. Just like what they say, it the thought that counts.
Birthday Hit
Another fantastic thing about the Koreans that is interesting to know aside from saying Happy Birthday in Korean is the birthday hit. In Korean, they call it 생일빵 (sang-il paang) where they are allowed to hit the birthday celebrant for luck. Younger generations usually do this.
Different Ways To Say Happy Birthday In Korean
Now that you have learned a little bit of Korean culture to celebrate birthdays, let us learn how to say Happy Birthday in Korean. Unlike in any other culture, Koreans have different ways to greet someone Happy Birthday in Korean. The age of the people really matters if you want to greet them. Try learning these words and phrases, including their pronunciation.
1. 생일 축하합니다 (saeng il chuk ha ham ni da)
You can never go wrong in a formal way of communicating with people. If you are in a formal situation and you want to greet someone Happy Birthday in Korean who is older than you, or someone you are not very close with, you can say, 생일 축하합니다 (saeng-il chu-ka-ham-ni-da). This is a formal and respectful way to say Happy Birthday in Korean.
2. 생일 축하 드려요 (saeng il chuk ha deu ryeo yo)
If you want a more formal way to greet someone Happy Birthday in Korean, you can say 생일 축하 드려요 (saeng il chuk ha deu ryeo yo). Remember, you would only use it with you are not really close with. This is used to express huge respect for them.
3. 생신 축하드립니다 (saeng sin chuk ha deu rim ni da)
If you want to greet someone much older than you, like your grandparents, say 생신 축하드립니다 (saeng sin chuk ha deu rim ni da). Grandparents are really valued in Korean culture. That is why you should always keep this in mind. Serving the food and drinks when it’s their birthday is a tradition. Greeting them Happy Birthday in Korean won’t suffice. It needs to be felt.
4. 생신 축하드려요 (saengshin chuk ha deuryeoyo)
This greeting is used to greet a person who is considered “higher status”. This is an honorific way to greet someone Happy Birthday in Korean.
5. 생일 축하해 (saeng il chuk ha hae)
Do you have a Korean friend that will celebrate his or her birthday? Try learning the casual or the informal way of greeting someone Happy Birthday in Korean 생일 축하해 (saeng il chuk ha hae). Remember to only use this version of Happy Birthday in Korean for your close friend and not those you are not close with. It won’t be polite for them.
6. 생일 축하해요 (saeng il chuk ha hae yo)
It is essential to be polite. This is a sign of being respectful to the person you are greeting, especially if they are older than you. You can never go wrong with the polite way of saying things. To greet a person Happy Birthday in Korean politely and respectfully, you can say 생일 축하해요 (saeng il chuk-ha hae yo).
There are many ways to say Happy Birthday in Korean. Always remember, there is a huge difference between a formal Happy Birthday and a casual/informal Happy Birthday. Koreans are very familiar with honorifics and politeness. So, if you are planning to go to Korea, do not forget these points. Learning Korean phrases for birthdays is not that hard. So go, and practice it now!
How To Wish Someone Happy Birthday In Korean
Did you remember the scene when Yoon Se-ri in Crash Landing on You was surprised by the North Korean Soldiers during her birthday? She taught them to wish before blowing the candles on her birthday cake. From that scene, you can see how different North and South Korea is in saying Happy Birthday in Korean. Most of all, you will see from that scene how a simple birthday greeting from the people you value can make you feel so touched.
Many believe in the tradition of making wishes. Before we blow candles, we say our birthday wishes on our own. Our friends and family also say their birthday wished too. Greeting someone Happy Birthday in Korean is usually followed by a birthday wish. Celebrating a birthday in Korean culture symbolizes being grateful for another year of life that is given to them. So, if you are wondering how to wish someone during their birthday in Korean, try learning these phrases.
1. 생일 축하해, 친구. 당신의 미래에 대한 모든 최고의. 당신은 당신이 원하는 모든 것을 얻을 수 있습니다!
Pronunciation: saengil chukhahae, chingu. dangsinui milaee daehan modeun choegoui. dangsineun dangsini wonhaneun modeun geoseul eodeul su issseubnida!
English Translation: Happy birthday, my friend. All the best for your future. You can get everything you want!
2. 생일 축하 해요!! 하나님은 행복과 번영에 당신을 축복하시기를기도합니다! 너의 하루를 즐겨!
Pronunciation: saengil chukha haeyo!! hananim-eun haengboggwa beonyeonge dangsin-eul chugboghasigileulgidohabnida! neoui haluleul jeulgyeo!
English Translation: Happy Birthday!! I pray to God to bless you with happiness and prosperity! Enjoy your day!
3. 나는 앞으로 당신에게 건강하고 풍요로운 삶을 기원합니다. 생일 친구!
Pronunciation: naneun apeulo dangsinege geonganghago pungyoloun salmeul giwonhabnida. saengil chingu!
English Translation: I wish you a healthy and prosperous life in the future. Happy Birthday, friend!
Happy Birthday Song In Korean
Try recalling your birthdays when you are younger when all your friends and family gather around you while singing a Happy Birthday song for you. Birthdays are not complete without singing the birthday song. This is usually done before blowing the cake and making a wish. For most of us, this is one of the happiest parts of a birthday party or celebration. Now that you have learned how to say Happy Birthday in Korean, you should also learn how to sing the birthday song in Korean.
Greeting somebody Happy Birthday in Korean will make that person realize that you actually think of them on their special day. Singing a Happy Birthday song is a part of their beautiful culture which involves both intimacy and fun.
Want To Be Good In The Korean Language? Happy Birthday Isn’t Enough
If you want to learn Korean, you must learn more than just Happy Birthday in Korean. You can also check out different blog posts related to the Korean language like Basic Korean Phrases, Greetings in Korean, and even Romantic words and phrases. But because you have reached this far on how to say Happy Birthday in Korean, we will treat you even if it is not your birthday yet. Go to Ling App and start learning Korean now for free!
With the Ling app, you will learn not just how to say Happy Birthday in Korean but also a lot of different words and phrases that will help you speak Korean like a native speaker. Don’t wait for ages. Start learning the Korean language now!
Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/kr/happy-birthday-in-korean/
