🟢 Talking About Birthdays | Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)

Do you know how to say “Happy Birthday” in Korean and ask about someone’s birthday?

Birthdays are special occasions in every culture. In this lesson, you’ll learn beginner-friendly vocabulary and sentences to talk about birthdays in Korean, including how to ask and answer when someone’s birthday is and how to say happy birthday politely.

💡 Basic Birthday Vocabulary

생일 (saeng-il) – Birthday

생일 축하해요 (saeng-il chukahaeyo) – Happy birthday (polite)

케이크 (ke-i-keu) – Cake

선물 (seon-mul) – Present / Gift

파티 (pa-ti) – Party

📖 Simple Sentences to Use

생일이 언제예요?
Saeng-ili eonjeyeyo?
When is your birthday?

제 생일은 5월 3일이에요.
Je saeng-il-eun o-wol sam-il-i-e-yo.
My birthday is on May 3rd.

생일 축하해요!
Saeng-il chukahaeyo!
Happy Birthday!

생일 파티를 해요.
Saeng-il pa-ti-reul haeyo.
I am having a birthday party.

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 생일이 언제예요?
Saeng-ili eonjeyeyo?
When is your birthday?

B: 제 생일은 7월 15일이에요.
Je saeng-il-eun chil-wol sib-o-il-i-e-yo.
My birthday is July 15th.

A: 생일 축하해요!
Saeng-il chukahaeyo!
Happy Birthday!

🧩 Quick Check: How do you say, “I bought a cake because it’s your birthday” in Korean?

🌏 Did You Know?

In Korea, a person’s first birthday, called 돌 (Dol), is celebrated with a special ceremony where the baby is placed in front of various objects (money, pencil, thread) to predict their future.

📦 Final Thoughts

Knowing how to talk about birthdays helps you connect with Korean friends and celebrate special occasions together. These simple phrases are a great way to start practicing polite expressions in daily conversations.

Keep using these expressions whenever birthdays come up, and soon they’ll become natural in your Korean conversations.

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🎓 Want to practice birthday conversations in Korean?
Book a 1:1 class on italki and learn cultural tips and expressions for celebrations.

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💬 Leave a comment: How do you celebrate birthdays in your culture?