🇰🇷 Korean phrases

How to Say "Happy birthday" in Korean

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
생일 축하합니다
"Happy birthday" in Korean · say it like saeng-il chuk-ha-ham-ni-da

The most natural way to say "Happy birthday" in Korean is 생일 축하합니다. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

생일 축하해
more casual, used among friends
생일 축하드려요
polite, used in formal situations

When to use it

You can use this phrase to wish someone a happy birthday. It is appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Use the casual version with friends and the polite version with elders or in formal situations.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Happy birthday" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Korean

KoreanEnglish
생일 축하합니다! 오늘 하루 즐겁게 보내세요.Happy birthday! Have a great day today.
Common mistake
Some learners forget to use the correct level of politeness based on their relationship with the birthday person.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 생일 축하합니다, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Korean with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just say '축하해' for a birthday?

Yes, but it's very casual and should only be used with close friends.

Learn Korean by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.