congratulations in korean
How to Say "Congratulations" in Korean (축하해 / 축하합니다): All Levels
축하해
chukahae
Quick answer
Say 축하해 (chukahae) to a close friend and 축하합니다 (chukahamnida) in formal settings — both mean congratulations in Korean.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 축하해 | chukahae | Between close friends or to someone younger — warm and natural. |
| polite | 축하해요 | chukahaeyo | Polite form — for people you're not super close to or slightly older. |
| formal | 축하합니다 | chukahamnida | Formal — for speeches, professional settings, or showing deep respect. |
| really congratulations | 정말 축하해 | jeongmal chukahae | 진심으로 축하해 (jinsimeuro chukahae, sincerely congratulations) for deeply meaningful moments. |
How it changes by relationship
야, 합격했어? 진짜 축하해!
Ya, hapgyeokhaesseo? Jinjja chukahae!
to a close friend: You passed? Congrats! — natural reaction to good news.
정말 축하드립니다.
Jeongmal chukadeurimnida.
to someone older or polite: 축하드립니다 (chukadeurimnida) — honorific form, shows genuine respect.
결혼을 진심으로 축하합니다.
Gyeolhoneul jinsimeuro chukahamnida.
at a wedding or formal occasion: Sincerely congratulating on the marriage.
축하해! 👏
Chukahae!
quick text: Short and sweet for a text or comment — very common on social media.
Examples
졸업 축하해!
Joreop chukahae!
Congratulations on graduating!
승진 축하드립니다.
Seungjin chukadeurimnida.
Congratulations on your promotion.
생일이랑 합격을 동시에 축하해!
Saengilirang hapgyeogeul dongsie chukahae!
Congrats on both your birthday and passing!
Usage note
The verb stem is 축하하다 (chukahadal) — you always attach a form of this to what is being celebrated. Unlike English where 'congrats!' stands alone, Korean often pairs it with the specific achievement: 졸업 축하해 (graduation congrats), 합격 축하해 (passing congrats), etc.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "congratulations" here?
FAQ
How do I say 'congrats on your engagement'?
약혼 축하해요 (yakkon chukahaeyo) — 약혼 means engagement. Or 결혼 축하해요 (gyeolhon chukahaeyo) for marriage.
What's 축하드립니다?
축하드립니다 (chukadeurimnida) is the honorific form of 축하합니다 — used when you want to show extra respect to the person being congratulated.
Is there a short slang version?
축하 (chuka) alone is understood informally, or people sometimes write 축하합니다 in full even in texts.