Write the Perfect Korean Birthday Email!
Hello! It’s Daily Korean, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Ever wanted to send a birthday message to a Korean friend or colleague but weren’t sure what to say? You’re in luck! Today, we’re going to learn how to write a simple, heartfelt birthday email or message that will make their day extra special. In Korea, sending a thoughtful digital message on KakaoTalk or email is a huge part of birthday celebrations. Let’s learn how to do it just right so you can join in on the fun!
Key Birthday Expressions
Here are a few essential phrases you’ll need to craft the perfect birthday message.
- 한국어 표현: 생일 축하해요! (Saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo!)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo!
- English Meaning: Happy Birthday!
- Detailed Explanation: This is the standard, polite way to say “Happy Birthday.” You can use it with friends, colleagues, and anyone you’re friendly with.
- Tip! For a boss or someone much older, use the more formal 생일 축하합니다 (Saeng-il chuk-ha-ham-ni-da). For a very close friend, you can drop the ‘요(yo)’ and say 생일 축하해 (Saeng-il chuk-ha-hae).
- 한국어 표현: 오늘 하루 행복하게 보내세요. (O-neul ha-ru haeng-bok-ha-ge bo-nae-se-yo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: O-neul ha-ru haeng-bok-ha-ge bo-nae-se-yo.
- English Meaning: Have a happy day today.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a beautiful and common wish to add to your message. It literally means “Please spend today happily.” It’s a warm and caring phrase that works in almost any situation.
- 한국어 표현: 맛있는 거 많이 드세요. (Mat-iss-neun geo ma-ni deu-se-yo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Mat-iss-neun geo ma-ni deu-se-yo.
- English Meaning: Eat lots of delicious food.
- Detailed Explanation: In Korea, sharing food is a primary way of showing affection and celebration. This phrase is a very common and friendly way to say, “I hope you enjoy your special day with great food!” It shows you care about their happiness and well-being.
Sample Birthday Email
Let’s see how these expressions look in a real message! Here is a short and sweet birthday email from Sora to her colleague, Minjun.
Subject: 민준 씨, 생일 축하해요! (Minjun, Happy Birthday!)
A (Minjun) receives an email from B (Sora):
민준 씨에게,
생일 진심으로 축하해요!
오늘 하루 행복하게 보내세요.
그리고 맛있는 거 많이 드세요! 혹시 미역국 먹었어요?다음에 봐요!
소라 드림
Translation:
To Minjun,
I sincerely wish you a happy birthday!
Have a happy day today.
And eat lots of delicious food! By the way, did you eat seaweed soup?See you next time!
From Sora
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
You might have noticed Sora asked about 미역국 (miyeok-guk), or seaweed soup, in the sample email. Why?
In Korea, eating seaweed soup on your birthday is a deep-rooted tradition! It’s the same soup that mothers eat for weeks after giving birth to recover and nourish themselves. So, eating it on your birthday is a way of honoring your mother and remembering the day you were born.
Pro Tip: Asking your friend, “미역국 먹었어요? (Miyeok-guk meogeosseoyo?)”—”Did you eat seaweed soup?”—in your birthday message is a small detail that shows you have a deeper understanding of Korean culture. They will be very impressed!
Let’s Wrap It Up!
Great job, everyone! Today we learned how to write a fantastic birthday message in Korean using essential phrases like 생일 축하해요, 오늘 하루 행복하게 보내세요, and 맛있는 거 많이 드세요. Now you’re ready to make your Korean friends feel extra special on their big day!
Time for a quick quiz!
- Fill in the blank: You want to wish your close friend a happy birthday in a casual way.
> 지수야, ______ 축하해! - Sentence Builder: How would you tell someone to “Eat lots of delicious food”? Combine these words: (많이, 맛있는 거, 드세요).
Why not try it out right now? Leave a comment below writing a short birthday message to a fictional friend using the expressions we learned today
