At the A1 level, '축하해요' is one of the first social phrases you should learn. It is used as a standalone interjection to express joy for someone else's good news. Think of it as a 'magic word' that works in almost any positive situation. You don't need complex grammar to use it effectively. Simply saying '축하해요!' with a smile is enough to communicate your meaning. Learners at this stage should focus on the basic pronunciation (chu-ka-hae-yo) and recognize that the '-yo' ending makes it polite. It is commonly paired with '생일' (birthday) to form '생일 축하해요' (Happy Birthday). The goal is to build the confidence to use it immediately when you hear good news. You should also be aware that it is a verb meaning 'to congratulate,' even though it functions like the English exclamation 'Congratulations.' This level is about basic survival and social courtesy, and '축하해요' is a vital part of that toolkit.
At the A2 level, you begin to expand how you use '축하해요' by adding context. Instead of just saying the word alone, you start to identify what you are congratulating the person for. This involves using the object markers '-을' and '-를'. For example, you learn to say '결혼을 축하해요' (Congratulations on your wedding) or '졸업을 축하해요' (Congratulations on your graduation). You also learn the difference between the '해요' style and the more formal '합니다' style. A2 learners should practice using these phrases in short dialogues, such as responding to a friend's news. You might also start using simple adverbs like '정말' (really) to say '정말 축하해요!' This level moves from simple recognition to active construction of basic congratulatory sentences in everyday social contexts.
By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '축하해요' in various tenses and with more specific reasons. You might use the '-아/어/여서' grammar point to explain why you are congratulating someone: '합격해서 축하해요' (I congratulate you because you passed). You also begin to understand the honorific version, '축하드립니다,' and when it is necessary to use it to show respect to elders or superiors. B1 learners should be able to write short messages or cards using these phrases, incorporating other polite expressions like '행복하세요' (Please be happy). You start to notice the word in slightly more complex media, like K-Dramas or variety shows, and can distinguish the tone and intent behind its usage. This level is about increasing the natural flow of your speech and ensuring you are using the correct level of politeness for the situation.
At the B2 level, you move into the nuances of '축하해요' and its role in Korean social harmony. You understand that congratulating someone is not just about the words, but about maintaining 'Chemyeon' (face) and 'Inhwa' (harmony). You can use the word in more complex sentence structures, such as '축하해 주러 왔어요' (I came here to congratulate you). You are also familiar with the passive or causative forms if they arise in literature, though they are rare for this specific verb. B2 learners can engage in longer conversations about celebrations and can explain the cultural significance of certain milestones in Korea, like the 'Dol' (first birthday) or 'Hwangap' (60th birthday), using '축하해요' appropriately in those contexts. You also begin to recognize the use of the word in professional settings and can navigate office politics using the correct honorifics.
C1 learners understand '축하해요' within the broader context of Korean linguistics and social structures. You can analyze the etymology of the Sino-Korean roots (祝賀) and understand how they relate to other words like '축제' (festival) or '하례' (congratulatory greeting). You are proficient in using the most formal honorific forms in written documents or official speeches. You also understand the use of '축하' in idiomatic expressions and can use it creatively in writing. At this level, you can distinguish between subtle shades of meaning—for instance, when to use '축하' versus '칭찬' or '격려' (encouragement) in a management context. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, including the correct use of intonation to convey genuine emotion versus polite obligation.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '축하해요' and all its related forms. You can discuss the historical evolution of congratulatory language in Korea and how Western influence has changed the way people celebrate milestones. You can use the word in high-level academic or professional writing, and you are comfortable using it in any social situation, from the most casual slang-filled environment to the most rigid traditional ceremony. You understand the literary uses of the word and can interpret its meaning in poetry or classical prose. For a C2 learner, '축하해요' is not just a vocabulary word, but a tool for deep cultural engagement, allowing you to participate fully in the joys and social rituals of Korean life with perfect linguistic and cultural accuracy.

축하해요 em 30 segundos

  • Used to say 'Congratulations' politely in Korean.
  • Derived from '축하' (celebration) + '하다' (to do).
  • Suitable for birthdays, weddings, and promotions.
  • Pronounced as 'chu-ka-hae-yo' due to sound assimilation.

The Korean word 축하해요 (chukhahaeyo) is a cornerstone of social interaction in Korea, serving as the standard polite way to say 'Congratulations.' At its core, it is derived from the Sino-Korean noun 축하 (chukha), which combines the characters 祝 (축), meaning 'to pray' or 'to celebrate,' and 賀 (하), meaning 'to congratulate.' When you append the verb 하다 (hada), it becomes an action, and the -해요 (-haeyo) ending places it in the polite/informal category, making it suitable for most everyday situations with acquaintances, colleagues, and even friends when a touch of respect is desired. Understanding this word requires looking beyond a simple translation because, in Korean culture, celebrating another person's success is a vital social lubricant that reinforces group harmony, known as inhwa.

Etymological Roots
The root 'Chuk' (祝) implies a spiritual or formal invocation of blessing, while 'Ha' (賀) specifically refers to the act of bringing gifts or joy to a celebration. Together, they form a powerful expression of shared happiness.

진심으로 축하해요.

I sincerely congratulate you.

You will hear this word during birthdays, weddings, graduations, and job promotions. It is the verbal equivalent of a celebratory hug or a pat on the back. Because Korean society is hierarchical, the choice of this specific form—ending in -해요—is crucial. It strikes a balance; it is not as stiffly formal as 축하합니다 (chukhahamnida), which you might hear in a news broadcast or a formal speech, nor is it as casual as 축하해 (chukhahae), which is reserved for close friends or younger people. Using 축하해요 demonstrates that you are both warm and well-mannered, a combination highly valued in Korean etiquette.

Situational Usage
Use this when a coworker announces they are getting married, when a classmate passes a difficult exam, or when a neighbor mentions they have a new grandchild.

생일 축하해요!

Furthermore, the word can be modified with adverbs to change its intensity. For instance, adding 정말 (jeongmal - really) or 너무 (neomu - so much) before the word makes the sentiment feel more personal. In modern digital communication, you might see it shortened or accompanied by emojis like 🎉 or 👏. However, the standard 축하해요 remains the most versatile tool in a learner's arsenal for building positive relationships with Korean speakers. It bridges the gap between being a stranger and becoming a friend by acknowledging the milestones that matter in their lives.

Using 축하해요 in a sentence is relatively straightforward, but mastering the grammatical particles that accompany it will make you sound like a pro. The most common structure involves identifying the event you are celebrating, followed by the object marker -을/를, and then the verb. For example, to say 'Congratulations on your graduation,' you would say 졸업을 축하해요 (joreobeul chukhahaeyo). Here, 'graduation' (졸업) is the object of the congratulation.

Basic Grammar Structure
[Event] + 을/를 + 축하해요. This is the standard formula for direct congratulations.

합격을 축하해요.

Congratulations on passing (the exam/interview).

Another way to use it is by incorporating the reason for the celebration using the -아/어/여서 connective ending, which means 'because.' For example, 성공해서 축하해요 (seonggonghaeseo chukhahaeyo) means 'I congratulate you because you succeeded.' This adds a layer of specificity to your well-wishes. It's also worth noting that in spoken Korean, the object marker -을/를 is often dropped, resulting in 졸업 축하해요. This is perfectly natural and slightly more conversational.

Advanced Variations
If you want to say 'Please congratulate me,' you would say 축하해 주세요 (chukha-hae juseyo), using the auxiliary verb 주다 (to give).

When talking about someone else congratulating another person, you might use the past tense: 축하했어요 (chukhahaesseoyo). For instance, 'I congratulated Min-su yesterday' would be 어제 민수 씨를 축하했어요. Understanding these tense shifts and particle usages allows you to navigate various social narratives beyond just the immediate 'Happy Birthday.' Practice by replacing the event noun with various life milestones to build muscle memory for this essential phrase.

In the real world, 축하해요 is everywhere. If you walk into a Korean office on a Monday morning and someone has just been promoted, the air will be thick with this word. It’s the sound of social cohesion. You'll hear it in the rhythmic chant of the 'Happy Birthday' song—생일 축하합니다—where the formal version is used for the song's melody, but the moment the song ends, people will switch to 축하해요! as they hand over gifts or cut the cake.

결혼 축하해요! 두 분 행복하세요.

Congratulations on your wedding! I wish you two happiness.

K-Dramas are an excellent resource for hearing the nuance of this word. Pay attention to the tone. A character might say it with genuine warmth, or perhaps with a hint of jealousy if they are a rival. The word remains the same, but the delivery changes the meaning entirely. In variety shows, you will see it written in large, colorful captions whenever a cast member wins a game or achieves a goal. It is often accompanied by applause and cheers, reinforcing its role as a high-energy, positive interjection.

Social media is another primary venue. On KakaoTalk, the most popular messaging app in Korea, '축하해요' is frequently sent alongside 'emoticon' stickers of dancing bears or clapping hands. In this digital context, it might be shortened to 축하축하 or even just ㅊㅋㅊㅋ (the initial consonants). While you should stick to the full version in person, recognizing these variants helps you understand the pulse of modern Korean communication. Whether it’s a formal wedding hall or a casual group chat, this word is the universal signal for 'I am happy for you.'

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 축하해요 is failing to match the speech level to the listener. Because Korea is a culture that deeply respects social hierarchy, using the wrong ending can cause awkwardness. For example, saying 축하해 (informal) to your boss or a professor is a significant faux pas—it’s like calling your CEO 'dude.' Conversely, using 축하합니다 (formal) with a very close childhood friend might make you sound cold or sarcastic.

The Hierarchy Trap
Using '축하해' (Banmal) to someone older or higher in rank is considered rude. Always default to '축하해요' or '축하합니다' if unsure.

Incorrect: 부장님, 생일 축하해! (Too casual for a manager)

Another common error is the pronunciation of the 'h' sound. In the word 축하 (chuk-ha), the 'k' sound (ㄱ) at the end of the first syllable meets the 'h' sound (ㅎ) at the start of the second. In Korean phonology, this results in an aspirated 'k' sound (ㅋ). So, it should be pronounced as chu-ka-hae-yo, not chuk-ha-hae-yo with a distinct break. Learners who try to pronounce every letter distinctly often end up sounding robotic and difficult to understand.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse 축하해요 with 칭찬해요 (chingchanhaeyo), which means 'to praise.' While they are related, 축하해요 is for celebrating an event or milestone, while 칭찬해요 is for complimenting someone's skill or behavior. If a child gets an A on a test, you might 칭찬 (praise) their hard work and 축하 (congratulate) their result. Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion about whether you are celebrating the outcome or the person's effort.

While 축하해요 is the most common way to express congratulations, several alternatives exist depending on the context and the level of formality required. Understanding these synonyms will help you express more nuanced emotions and navigate different social circles with ease.

축하드립니다 (Chukha-deurimnida)
This is the 'honorific' version. The verb 드리다 is the humble form of 'to give.' You use this when congratulating someone much older or in a much higher position than you, such as a CEO or a grandparent.

승진을 진심으로 축하드립니다.

I sincerely offer my congratulations on your promotion (Very formal/Honorific).

For very close friends, you can drop the -요 and just say 축하해 (chukhahae). In slang or very casual settings, especially among younger generations, you might hear 축하축하 (chukha-chukha), which is a playful, doubled-up version. In written form, this often becomes 추카추카 to reflect the pronunciation more closely or simply ㅊㅋ in text messages.

Comparison of Speech Levels
  • 축하해: Casual (Friends, younger people)
  • 축하해요: Polite/Neutral (Most common)
  • 축하합니다: Formal (Public announcements, ceremonies)
  • 축하드립니다: Honorific (Elders, high-ranking officials)

Another related word is 경사 (gyeongsa), which refers to a 'happy event' or 'joyous occasion.' If a family has many good things happening at once, you might say 집안에 경사가 났네요! (A joyous event has occurred in the family!). While this isn't a direct replacement for 'congratulations,' it is part of the same emotional vocabulary. By choosing the right word from this spectrum, you show that you not only know the language but also understand the intricate social fabric of Korea.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In ancient times, 'Ha' (賀) specifically referred to the gifts brought to the king or elders during celebrations. Today, the tradition of giving money in white envelopes (Chukha-geum) at weddings is a direct descendant of this concept.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /tɕukʰaɦɛjo/
US /tʃukʰɑheɪjoʊ/
The primary stress is on the first syllable 'Chuk', with a secondary rise on 'hae'.
Rima com
부탁해요 (butakhaeyo - I ask a favor) 정착해요 (jeongchakhaeyo - to settle down) 도착해요 (dochakhaeyo - to arrive) 세탁해요 (setakhaeyo - to do laundry) 시작해요 (sijakhaeyo - to start) 생각해요 (saenggakhaeyo - to think) 심각해요 (simgakhaeyo - to be serious) 합격해요 (hapgyeokhaeyo - to pass)
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing 'Chuk' and 'Ha' separately without merging the sounds.
  • Pronouncing the 'u' as a long 'oo' like 'mood'. It should be shorter.
  • Missing the aspiration on the 'k' sound.
  • Making the 'h' in 'ha' too strong.
  • Pronouncing 'hae' as 'hay' (like dried grass).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

The word is written in simple Hangeul and is very common in beginner texts.

Escrita 2/5

Remembering the double 'ㅎ' in '축하해요' can be slightly tricky for absolute beginners.

Expressão oral 2/5

The sound assimilation (ㄱ+ㅎ=ㅋ) requires practice to sound natural.

Audição 1/5

It is a very distinct word often shouted or said with high energy.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

하다 (to do) 생일 (birthday) 고맙다 (to be thankful) 친구 (friend) 좋다 (to be good)

Aprenda a seguir

감사합니다 (Thank you) 선물 (gift) 파티 (party) 초대 (invitation) 기쁘다 (to be happy)

Avançado

축복 (blessing) 영광 (honor) 성취 (achievement) 격려 (encouragement) 환영 (welcome)

Gramática essencial

Aspiration (격음화)

ㄱ + ㅎ = ㅋ (축 + 하 = 추카)

Polite Ending -아요/어요

하다 becomes 해요

Object Markers 을/를

생일을 축하해요

Reason Ending -아/어/여서

성공해서 축하해요

Honorific Giver -드리다

축하드립니다

Exemplos por nível

1

생일 축하해요!

Happy Birthday!

생일 means birthday. This is the most common way to say Happy Birthday.

2

축하해요!

Congratulations!

This can be used alone as a complete sentence.

3

정말 축하해요.

Really, congratulations.

정말 means 'really' and adds emphasis.

4

와, 축하해요!

Wow, congratulations!

'와' is an exclamation like 'wow'.

5

모두 축하해요.

Congratulations to everyone.

모두 means 'everyone' or 'all'.

6

친구가 축하해요.

A friend congratulates you.

친구 means friend. This shows the friend is the subject.

7

선물이에요. 축하해요.

It's a gift. Congratulations.

선물 means gift. It's common to give a gift while saying this.

8

오늘 축하해요.

Congratulations today.

오늘 means today.

1

졸업을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your graduation.

졸업 (graduation) + 을 (object marker).

2

결혼을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your wedding.

결혼 (marriage) + 을 (object marker).

3

취직을 축하해요.

Congratulations on getting a job.

취직 (getting a job) + 을 (object marker).

4

승진을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your promotion.

승진 (promotion) + 을 (object marker).

5

합격을 축하해요.

Congratulations on passing.

합격 (passing an exam) + 을 (object marker).

6

새 집을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your new house.

새 집 means 'new house'.

7

성공을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your success.

성공 (success) + 을 (object marker).

8

출산을 축하해요.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby.

출산 (childbirth) + 을 (object marker).

1

시험에 합격해서 축하해요.

Congratulations for passing the exam.

-아/어/여서 indicates the reason for congratulations.

2

좋은 일이 생겨서 축하해요.

Congratulations that something good happened.

생기다 means to occur or happen.

3

일등을 해서 정말 축하해요.

I really congratulate you for taking first place.

일등 means 'first place'.

4

드디어 꿈을 이뤄서 축하해요.

Congratulations for finally achieving your dream.

이루다 means to achieve or fulfill.

5

부모님이 많이 축하해요.

Your parents congratulate you a lot.

Shows that someone else is the subject of the verb.

6

진심으로 축하해요.

I sincerely congratulate you.

진심으로 means 'sincerely' or 'with all my heart'.

7

상을 받아서 축하해요.

Congratulations on receiving the award.

상을 받다 means 'to receive an award'.

8

건강을 회복해서 축하해요.

Congratulations on recovering your health.

회복하다 means 'to recover'.

1

그동안의 노력이 결실을 맺어서 축하해요.

Congratulations that your efforts have finally borne fruit.

결실을 맺다 is an idiom meaning 'to bear fruit' or 'succeed'.

2

어려운 시기를 잘 이겨내서 축하해요.

Congratulations on overcoming a difficult period.

이겨내다 means 'to overcome' or 'surmount'.

3

새로운 시작을 진심으로 축하해요.

I sincerely congratulate you on your new beginning.

새로운 시작 means 'new start'.

4

원하던 회사에 입사해서 축하해요.

Congratulations on joining the company you wanted.

입사하다 means 'to join/enter a company'.

5

모두가 당신의 성공을 축하해요.

Everyone congratulates you on your success.

Using '당신' (you) in a slightly more formal or poetic sense.

6

장학금을 받게 된 것을 축하해요.

Congratulations on being awarded the scholarship.

-게 된 것을 indicates a change in state or result.

7

멋진 전시회를 열게 되어서 축하해요.

Congratulations on opening such a wonderful exhibition.

열다 means 'to open' or 'host'.

8

책 출간을 진심으로 축하해요.

Sincere congratulations on the publication of your book.

출간 means 'publication'.

1

오랜 염원을 이루신 것을 축하해요.

Congratulations on fulfilling your long-held desire.

염원 is a formal word for 'long-cherished wish'.

2

학위 취득을 진심으로 축하해요.

Sincere congratulations on obtaining your degree.

취득 means 'acquisition' or 'obtaining'.

3

프로젝트를 성공적으로 마무리해서 축하해요.

Congratulations on successfully wrapping up the project.

마무리하다 means 'to wrap up' or 'finish'.

4

명예로운 퇴임을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your honorable retirement.

퇴임 means 'retirement from a position'.

5

어려운 관문을 통과한 것을 축하해요.

Congratulations on passing through a difficult gateway.

관문 is a metaphor for a difficult stage or hurdle.

6

사회에 첫발을 내딛게 된 것을 축하해요.

Congratulations on taking your first step into society.

첫발을 내딛다 is an idiom for starting a new phase of life.

7

귀하의 무궁한 발전을 축하해요.

Congratulations on your infinite development/progress.

무궁한 발전 is a very formal, set expression.

8

뜻깊은 기념일을 맞이해서 축하해요.

Congratulations on welcoming such a meaningful anniversary.

맞이하다 means 'to welcome' or 'greet' (an event).

1

고난을 딛고 일어선 당신의 의지를 축하해요.

I celebrate your will that stood up after overcoming hardships.

A poetic use of '축하해요' to celebrate a trait rather than an event.

2

인생의 새로운 막을 올리게 된 것을 축하해요.

Congratulations on raising the curtain on a new act of your life.

Metaphorical language using '막을 올리다' (raise the curtain).

3

전통의 맥을 이어가는 그 노력을 축하해요.

I celebrate that effort to carry on the pulse of tradition.

맥을 잇다 means 'to carry on a tradition/lineage'.

4

학문적 성취가 빛을 발하게 되어 축하해요.

Congratulations that your academic achievements have come to shine.

빛을 발하다 is an idiom meaning 'to shine' or 'show worth'.

5

숭고한 희생이 결실을 보게 된 것을 축하해요.

Congratulations that your noble sacrifice has seen fruit.

숭고한 (noble/sublime) and 희생 (sacrifice).

6

불가능을 가능으로 바꾼 기적을 축하해요.

I celebrate the miracle of you turning the impossible into the possible.

Contrasting '불가능' and '가능'.

7

시대의 부름에 응답한 당신의 용기를 축하해요.

I celebrate your courage in responding to the call of the times.

시대의 부름 (call of the times) is a high-level sociopolitical phrase.

8

내면의 평화를 찾으신 것을 진심으로 축하해요.

Sincere congratulations on finding your inner peace.

Celebrating an internal emotional milestone.

Colocações comuns

생일 축하해요
진심으로 축하해요
결혼 축하해요
졸업 축하해요
승진 축하해요
합격 축하해요
취직 축하해요
출산 축하해요
입학 축하해요
우승 축하해요

Frases Comuns

미리 축하해요

— Used when congratulating someone in advance of an event.

내일 생일이죠? 미리 축하해요!

다 같이 축하해요

— A call for everyone to congratulate someone together.

박수 치면서 다 같이 축하해요.

많이 축하해요

— Means 'congratulate a lot,' expressing great joy.

좋은 소식 들었어요. 많이 축하해요.

늦었지만 축하해요

— Used when congratulating someone after the event has passed.

깜빡했어요. 늦었지만 생일 축하해요.

다시 한번 축하해요

— Used to reiterate congratulations at the end of a conversation.

가기 전에, 다시 한번 축하해요.

정말 정말 축하해요

— Doubling 'really' for intense emphasis.

와! 정말 정말 축하해요!

축하해 주셔서 감사합니다

— The standard response to receiving congratulations.

축하해 주셔서 감사합니다. 열심히 할게요.

기쁜 마음으로 축하해요

— Means 'congratulating with a joyful heart.'

친구로서 기쁜 마음으로 축하해요.

모두가 축하해요

— Emphasizes that the whole group is happy for the person.

우리 가족 모두가 축하해요.

당연히 축하해야죠

— Means 'Of course I should congratulate you.'

이런 좋은 날엔 당연히 축하해야죠.

Frequentemente confundido com

축하해요 vs 칭찬해요

칭찬해요 is for praising effort/skill, while 축하해요 is for celebrating an event/result.

축하해요 vs 축복해요

축복해요 means 'to bless' and has a more religious or spiritual connotation.

축하해요 vs 격려해요

격려해요 means 'to encourage,' used before a result is achieved, whereas 축하해요 is used after.

Expressões idiomáticas

"국수를 먹다"

— Literally 'to eat noodles,' it is an idiom for getting married. People ask 'When can we eat noodles?' to ask when a wedding will happen.

언제 국수 먹게 해 줄 거예요? 결혼 축하해요!

Casual/Traditional
"경사가 나다"

— A joyous event has occurred in the family or group.

집안에 경사가 났네요. 정말 축하해요.

Neutral
"꽃길만 걷다"

— A modern idiom wishing someone only success and happiness (walking only on flower paths).

합격 축하해요! 이제 꽃길만 걸어요.

Casual
"금상첨화"

— Adding flowers onto silk; something good becoming even better.

승진에 보너스까지, 금상첨화네요! 축하해요.

Literary/Academic
"운수대통"

— Having great good luck.

올해는 운수대통이네요. 축하해요!

Neutral
"승승장구"

— To make a long-term, continuous success (riding the victory).

앞으로도 승승장구하시길 빌며 축하해요.

Formal
"탄탄대로"

— A smooth, solid road ahead (symbolizing future success).

취직 축하해요. 앞날이 탄탄대로이길 바라요.

Neutral
"입신양명"

— To rise in the world and gain fame.

성공해서 입신양명한 것을 축하해요.

Academic
"천생연분"

— A match made in heaven (used for weddings).

두 분은 천생연분이네요. 결혼 축하해요.

Neutral
"일취월장"

— Making steady and rapid progress.

한국어 실력이 일취월장했네요! 축하해요.

Academic

Fácil de confundir

축하해요 vs 환영해요

Both are positive greetings used for people.

환영해요 means 'Welcome' (to a place or group), while 축하해요 means 'Congratulations' (for an event).

우리 팀에 온 것을 환영해요! 그리고 승진 축하해요!

축하해요 vs 감사해요

Both are common polite '-해요' verbs used in social settings.

감사해요 is for expressing gratitude (Thank you), while 축하해요 is for expressing joy for others.

축하해 주셔서 정말 감사해요.

축하해요 vs 사랑해요

Both are common high-frequency verbs ending in '-해요'.

사랑해요 means 'I love you.' Use it for family/partners, not just anyone you congratulate.

엄마, 생일 축하해요! 사랑해요!

축하해요 vs 기뻐요

Both relate to happiness.

기뻐요 is an adjective meaning 'I am happy.' 축하해요 is a verb meaning 'I congratulate you.'

소식을 들으니 정말 기뻐요. 축하해요!

축하해요 vs 부러워요

Often felt at the same time as congratulating someone.

부러워요 means 'I am envious/jealous (in a good way).' It's personal, while 축하해요 is social.

와, 새 차예요? 정말 부러워요! 축하해요!

Padrões de frases

A1

[Event] 축하해요!

생일 축하해요!

A1

[Adverb] 축하해요.

정말 축하해요.

A2

[Event]을/를 축하해요.

졸업을 축하해요.

B1

[Verb]-아/어/여서 축하해요.

상을 받아서 축하해요.

B1

[Noun]을/를 진심으로 축하해요.

승진을 진심으로 축하해요.

B2

[Verb]-게 된 것을 축하해요.

취직하게 된 것을 축하해요.

C1

[Honorific Noun] 취득을 축하해요.

학위 취득을 축하해요.

C2

[Metaphorical Event]을/를 축하해요.

인생의 새 막을 연 것을 축하해요.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

축하 (congratulation/celebration)
축하객 (congratulatory guest)
축하금 (congratulatory money)
축하연 (celebratory banquet)

Verbos

축하하다 (to congratulate)
축하받다 (to be congratulated)
축하드리다 (to offer congratulations - honorific)

Relacionado

축제 (festival)
축복 (blessing)
축사 (congratulatory message)
축전 (congratulatory telegram)
하례 (formal greeting)

Como usar

frequency

Extremely high in social interactions.

Erros comuns
  • Using '축하해' to a teacher. 축하해요 or 축하드립니다.

    Using informal language (Banmal) with a teacher is considered very disrespectful in Korea.

  • Pronouncing it as 'Chuk-ha-hae-yo' with a clear 'h'. Chu-ka-hae-yo.

    The 'ㄱ' and 'ㅎ' must merge. Pronouncing them separately sounds unnatural and robotic.

  • Using '칭찬해요' for a wedding. 축하해요.

    You congratulate a wedding (event), you don't 'praise' it. '칭찬해요' is for someone's good behavior or skill.

  • Forgetting the object marker '을/를'. 졸업을 축하해요.

    While often dropped in speech, it is grammatically required in writing and formal speech.

  • Spelling it as '추카해요' in a formal letter. 축하해요.

    '추카해요' is a phonetic spelling used only in casual texting. Never use it in formal writing.

Dicas

Master the Aspiration

Don't pause between 'Chuk' and 'ha'. Let the air flow through the 'k' to create a sharp 'ㅋ' sound. This is the hallmark of a natural speaker.

Use the Right Particle

If the event ends in a vowel, use '를' (e.g., 코스프레를 축하해요). If it ends in a consonant, use '을' (e.g., 졸업을 축하해요). This shows grammatical precision.

The Power of Both Hands

When congratulating someone with a gift or a card, always hand it over with both hands. It doubles the sincerity of your '축하해요'.

Add an Adverb

Adding '진심으로' (sincerely) before '축하해요' makes a huge difference. It moves the phrase from a polite formality to a deep personal sentiment.

Response is Key

If someone says '축하해요' to you, always respond with '감사합니다'. In Korea, acknowledging the kindness of others is just as important as being kind yourself.

Emoji Usage

In Korea, the party popper (🎉), clapping hands (👏), and cake (🎂) emojis are the best companions for '축하해요' in texts.

Listen to Songs

Listen to the Korean 'Happy Birthday' song on YouTube. It will help you internalize the rhythm and pronunciation of '축하합니다' which is very similar.

Workplace Nuance

In an office, if a group is congratulating someone, wait for the senior person to speak first, then add your '축하해요' to the chorus.

Card Etiquette

When writing a congratulatory card, it is common to write the person's name followed by '씨' or their title, then the event, then '축하해요'.

Daily Practice

Look for one small thing every day to '축하' yourself for—like finishing a Korean lesson. Self-congratulation is a great way to remember the word!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'CHUK-wagon' (Chuk) arriving at a 'HA-ppy' (ha) party where everyone says 'HEY-YO' (haeyo) to the guest of honor.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant firework exploding in the sky, and as it bursts, it forms the letters 'CHUK HA'. Below it, people are bowing politely.

Word Web

Birthday Wedding Gift Smile Party Success Friends Applause

Desafio

Try to find three things to congratulate your friends or family for today. Even small things count! Say '축하해요' each time.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Sino-Korean word 祝賀 (축하). The character 祝 (축) represents a person kneeling before an altar, signifying prayer or celebration. The character 賀 (하) consists of 'shell/money' (貝) and 'add' (加), implying the traditional practice of bringing gifts to a celebration.

Significado original: To offer prayers and gifts for a joyful event.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary)

Contexto cultural

Avoid using the informal '축하해' to those significantly older than you, even if you are close, unless they have specifically asked you to use 'Banmal'.

In English, we often say 'Congrats!' which is very casual. In Korean, '축하해요' is the safest middle ground, whereas English 'Congratulations' can sometimes feel very formal.

The song 'Saeng-il Chuk-ha Ham-ni-da' (The Korean Happy Birthday song). K-Drama 'Crash Landing on You' features many scenes of communal celebration. The phrase is a staple in K-Pop 'V-Live' broadcasts when idols celebrate anniversaries.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Birthdays

  • 생일 축하해요!
  • 행복한 하루 되세요.
  • 맛있는 거 많이 드세요.
  • 태어나 줘서 고마워요.

Weddings

  • 결혼 축하해요!
  • 행복하게 잘 사세요.
  • 너무 예쁜 커플이에요.
  • 검은 머리 파뿌리 될 때까지 사세요.

Work/Promotion

  • 승진 축하해요!
  • 그동안 고생 많으셨어요.
  • 앞으로도 응원할게요.
  • 한턱 쏘세요!

Graduation

  • 졸업 축하해요!
  • 새로운 시작을 응원해요.
  • 꽃길만 걸으세요.
  • 자랑스러워요.

Exam/Pass

  • 합격 축하해요!
  • 정말 대단해요.
  • 노력한 보람이 있네요.
  • 마음껏 즐기세요.

Iniciadores de conversa

"어머, 좋은 소식 들었어요! 축하해요!"

"오늘 무슨 날이에요? 축하할 일이 있나요?"

"이번에 승진하셨다면서요? 정말 축하해요."

"졸업식은 언제예요? 미리 축하해요!"

"시험 결과 나왔어요? 합격 축하해요!"

Temas para diário

오늘 누군가에게 '축하해요'라고 말한 적이 있나요? 어떤 상황이었는지 적어 보세요.

최근에 당신이 축하받은 일은 무엇인가요? 그때의 기분을 한국어로 묘사해 보세요.

한국 친구의 생일 파티에 초대받았습니다. 어떤 축하 메시지를 카드에 적을 것인지 연습해 보세요.

살면서 가장 크게 축하받고 싶은 일은 무엇인가요? 미래의 자신에게 축하 메시지를 써 보세요.

한국의 '돌잔치'나 '환갑' 같은 축하 문화에 대해 배우고 느낀 점을 적어 보세요.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, '축하해요' is polite enough for most bosses if you have a friendly relationship. However, in a very formal company culture, '축하드립니다' or '축하합니다' is safer and more professional.

The difference is the speech level. '축하해요' is the polite form (Jondetmal) used with acquaintances or elders. '축하해' is the informal form (Banmal) used only with close friends or younger people.

You should say '생신 축하드립니다' (Saeng-sin chukha-deurimnida) to elders or superiors. '생신' is the honorific word for birthday.

Only if the email is to a very close colleague. In any official or semi-formal business email, always use the full form '축하합니다' or '축하드립니다'.

This is due to a Korean sound rule where a final consonant 'ㄱ' (k) followed by 'ㅎ' (h) merges into the aspirated 'ㅋ' sound. It makes the word easier to say quickly.

The most common response is '감사합니다' (Thank you) or '축하해 주셔서 감사합니다' (Thank you for congratulating me).

While it's possible in a very specific sarcastic context, it is highly unusual and generally considered very rude in Korean culture. It is almost exclusively used for positive events.

A light bow of the head or clapping your hands is very common. If you are giving a gift, use both hands to show respect.

Yes! You can say '출산을 축하해요' (Congratulations on the birth) or simply '축하해요!' when you see the baby.

You can write '축하해요!', '추카추카!', or just 'ㅊㅋㅊㅋ' depending on how close you are to the person.

Teste-se 185 perguntas

writing

Translate: 'Happy Birthday!'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on your graduation.'

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writing

Translate: 'I sincerely congratulate you.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on your wedding.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on passing the exam.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on your promotion.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on getting a job.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations in advance.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations to everyone.'

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writing

Translate: 'I congratulate you because you won the prize.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on your new house.'

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writing

Translate: 'Really, congratulations.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations once again.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on the birth of your baby.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations on your success.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations for achieving your dream.'

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writing

Translate: 'Congratulations for taking first place.'

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writing

Translate: 'Thank you for congratulating me.'

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writing

Translate: 'Everyone congratulate together.'

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writing

Translate: 'I sincerely offer my congratulations (honorific).'

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speaking

Say 'Happy Birthday' politely.

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speaking

Congratulate someone on their wedding.

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speaking

Congratulate someone on their graduation.

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speaking

Say 'I sincerely congratulate you.'

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speaking

Say 'Congratulations' to a close friend.

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speaking

Say 'Congratulations' to your boss formally.

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speaking

Congratulate someone in advance.

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speaking

Say 'Wow, congratulations!'

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speaking

Say 'Congratulations because you passed.'

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speaking

Say 'Thank you for congratulating me.'

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speaking

Congratulate someone on a new job.

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speaking

Congratulate someone on a promotion.

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speaking

Say 'Everyone, let's congratulate together.'

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speaking

Say 'I really congratulate you' with emphasis.

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speaking

Congratulate a child on starting school.

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speaking

Say 'Congratulations on your success.'

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speaking

Say 'Congratulations on winning the prize.'

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speaking

Say 'I'm so happy for you, congratulations.'

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speaking

Congratulate someone on their new house.

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speaking

Say 'Once again, congratulations.'

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listening

Listen to '생일 축하해요' and identify the event.

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listening

Listen to '졸업 축하해요' and identify the event.

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listening

Listen to '결혼 축하해요' and identify the event.

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listening

Listen to '승진 축하해요' and identify the event.

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listening

Listen to '합격 축하해요' and identify the event.

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listening

Listen to '진심으로 축하해요'. Is it sincere or casual?

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listening

Listen to '축하해'. Is the listener a friend or a boss?

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listening

Listen to '축하드립니다'. Is the listener a friend or a boss?

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listening

Listen to '미리 축하해요'. When is the event happening?

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listening

Listen to '취직 축하해요' and identify the event.

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listening

Listen to '다 같이 축하해요'. How many people should celebrate?

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listening

Listen to '정말 축하해요'. What is the adverb used?

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listening

Listen to '상을 받아서 축하해요'. Why are they celebrating?

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listening

Listen to '축하해 주셔서 감사합니다'. Who is speaking?

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listening

Listen to '새 집 축하해요' and identify the event.

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/ 185 correct

Perfect score!

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