How to Say "Congratulations" in Korean

The everyday way to say it is 축하해요 (chukahaeyo). Korean changes the ending depending on who you talk to, so here are the forms you'll actually hear.

Phrase · audio · pronunciation
Polite

축하해요

chukahaeyo

Strangers, shop staff, coworkers and most adults. The safe default.

Formal

축하합니다

chukahamnida

Speeches, customers, older people and first meetings at work.

Casual

축하해

chukahae

Close friends, younger people and family.

When to use it

Use it for weddings, new jobs, graduations and good news. Add the event in front: 결혼 축하해요 ("congratulations on your wedding").

What people say back

고마워요 (gomawoyo): Thank you

Letter by letter: 축하해요

Korean is written in syllable blocks. Here is what each block of 축하해요 is made of.

BlockLettersSounds
축ㅊ + ㅜ + ㄱㅊ ch, ㅜ u, ㄱ k (at the end)
하ㅎ + ㅏㅎ h, ㅏ a
해ㅎ + ㅐㅎ h, ㅐ ae
요ㅇ + ㅛㅇ silent, ㅛ yo

Written 축하해요, but said [추카해요]: aspiration (ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ + ㅎ). The romanizer explains these sound rules for any word.

New to the letters? Tap through the Hangul chart to hear each one.

How to type it

On a standard Korean keyboard (2-set), press these keys in order:

CㅊNㅜRㄱGㅎKㅏGㅎOㅐDㅇYㅛ

Practice with the online Korean keyboard, or learn the layout in the typing test.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "Congratulations" in Korean?

The everyday polite way is 축하해요 (chukahaeyo). The formal version is 축하합니다. With close friends, say 축하해.

How do you pronounce 축하해요?

It sounds like "chukahaeyo", because of Korean sound changes it is said as [추카해요]. Press the speaker button on this page to hear it.

Romanization: Revised Romanization of Korean, with sound changes. Audio: a recorded native-sounding Korean voice.
Last checked: 2026-10-20