Korean word

생일

Pronunciation

Romanizationsaengil

Meaning

  • nounbirthday

Example

제 생일이 다음 주예요.che saeng i ri ta eum chu ye yo

My birthday is next week.

Illustration for 생일 (birthday)

More examples

친구가 제 생일 파티를 준비해 줬어요.chin gu ga che saeng il pa ti reul chun bi hae chwo sseo yo

My friend prepared a birthday party for me.

Core concept

The date someone was born, treated as a special day for celebration.

Common phrases

  • 생일 축하saeng il chu ka

    birthday celebration

  • 생일 선물saeng il seon mul

    birthday present

  • 생일 파티saeng il pa ti

    birthday party

  • 생일 케이크saeng il ke i keu

    birthday cake

Similar words

생신saengsin: A respectful word for an older or honored person's birthday.
생일파티saengilpati: A gathering where family or friends celebrate someone's birthday.
돌tol: A special celebration held when a child reaches one year old.
생일선물saengilseonmul: A gift given to someone for a birthday.

Definition in Korean

사람이 태어난 날을 가리키는 말로, 가족이나 친구들이 그날을 축하하는 날까지 포함한다.sa ra mi tae eo nan na reul ka ri ki neun mal lo ka jo gi na chin gu deu ri keu na reul chu ka ha neun nal kka ji po ham han da

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean compound built from elements meaning birth and day, giving the literal idea of a day connected with birth.

Usage tips

  • Korean uses a more respectful term for an older person's birthday, so the choice of birthday word can show politeness as well as meaning.

Related words

  • 생일파티saengilpatibirthday partynoun
  • 생일잔치saengiljanchibirthday feastnoun
  • 생일선물saengilseonmulbirthday presentnoun

Word lists with this word