Going to Seoul during Christmas or having Korean friends or family that you want to greet this holiday? So apart from winter gear, cards, and gifts, there are a few things you must pack.

Well, it’s time to add how to say Merry Christmas in Korean to your to-do list.

Here in this article, Let’s take a lot of various ways to greet someone a Merry Christmas in Korean, and also the traditions and vocabulary that go along with it.

What Is “Christmas” In Korean?

The word for “Christmas” in Korean is 성탄절 (seongtanjeol).성(Seong), is the Chinese character meaning “holy”,탄(Tan) means “birth.” and 절 means holiday.  So together 성탄절(seongtanjeol) means “the festive day the holy person was born.”You can also say the loan word 크리스마스 (keuriseumaseu). 

People do not really say 성탄절(seongtanjeol) very often. The Korean word for Christmas is “크리스마스(Keuriseumaseu),” which is quite widely used in daily conversation.

It is simple to remember because it sounds pretty similar to the English word for Christmas. But even so, please note that this is a casual form of the Korean word, & Christmas is pronounced in a Korean way.

And Here’s how 

How To Say Merry Christmas In Korean

The common way to say Merry Christmas in Korean is 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 (keu-ri-seu-ma-seu jal bo-ne-say-yo).it is made up of the words 크리스마스 (Christmas), which means ‘well,’ and 보내세요 means ‘please spend time.’ it literally means ‘Please spend Christmas well’. you can use the casual form 메리 크리스마스 (meri keuriseumaseu)/크리스마스 잘 보내 (keuriseumaseu jal bonae) with friends. 행복한 크리스마스 되십시오 (haengbokan keuriseumaseu doesipsio)is the most formal way to wish someone a Merry Christmas.

Here are the three most common ways to say Merry Christmas in Korean as well as its pronunciation and hangul.

• The standard way- 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 (keu-ri-seu-ma-seu jal bo-ne-say-yo)./즐거운 성탄절 보내세요 (jeulgeoun seongtanjeol bonaeseyo)
• The informal way-메리 크리스마스 (meri keuriseumaseu)/크리스마스 잘 보내 (keuriseumaseu jal bonae)
• The formal way- 행복한 크리스마스 되십시오 (haengbokan keuriseumaseu doesipsio)/

Standard Korean Christmas Greetings

The most common way to say Merry Christmas in Korean is 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 (keu-ri-seu-ma-seu jal bo-ne-say-yo). This is made up of the words 크리스마스 (Christmas), 잘 which means ‘well’, and 보내세요 which means ‘please spend time’. So, 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 literally means ‘Please spend Christmas well’.

크리스마스 잘 보내요 (keuriseumaseu jal bonaeyo)

Another common way is to use the phrase 크리스마스 잘 보내요 (keuriseumaseu jal bonaeyo), which has the same meaning but without the extra politeness of the “세 (se)”. But Korean prefer to use 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 instead of this.

즐거운 성탄절 보내세요 (jeulgeoun seongtanjeol bonaeseyo)

If you want to use the Korean word  (성탄절 | seongtanjeol) instead of 크리스마스 but also be polite, then say 즐거운 성탄절 보내세요 (jeulgeoun seongtanjeol bonaeseyo) to say “Merry Christmas in Korean”.

Informal Korean Christmas Greetings

메리 크리스마스 (meri keuriseumaseu) is the most common and informal way to say Merry Christmas in Korean. It is basically koenglish version of merry Christmas but the pronunciation is Koreanized.

But, take note that this form of Korean word is informal and Christmas is pronounced in a Korean way.

If you are not sure which form to use, just stick to the standard and formal versions of “Merry Christmas” in Korean.

크리스마스 잘 보내 (keuriseumaseu jal bonae)This is the informal version of the same expression and can only be used with close friends.

Formal Korean Christmas Greetings

즐거운 성탄절 보내십시오 (jeulgeoun seongtanjeol bonaesipsio)Is the formal version of “Merry Christmas” . it is made up of three words 성탄절 (seongtanjeol) means “Christmas,” and the word 즐거운 comes from 즐겁다 (jeulgeopda) means pleasant with –십시오 (sipsio) ending. It makes it more formal.

but it’s not used as often as 크리스마스 (keuriseumaseu).

Another formal way of saying “Merry Christmas” is 행복한 크리스마스 되십시오 (haengbokan keuriseumaseu doesipsio). 행복한(haengbokan) comes from 행복하다(haengbokada) means happy or blissful with the formal ending –십시오 (sipsio) . You might see this on signs, posters, or cards.

 You can safely use it with all groups of people, and nobody will get offended.

How To Say Christmas Eve In Korean

성탄절 전야 (Seongtanjeol Jeonnya) is the Korean word for “Christmas eve.”  You can combine 성탄절 means Christmas and 전야 means Eve in Korean  to say 성탄절 전야 or shortly 성탄 전야[seongtan jeonnya]

On the night of the 24th of December, families gather around to welcome the 25th of December by eating with the whole family, and gift-giving occurs. They also do it in Korea, but not everyone has the opportunity to do this since some have their families in the province.

 25 Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary 

Do you know how to say “Santa” in Korean? How about “Snow” in Korean? If you don’t, then we’ve got you covered. 

Here are some common Christmas Korean vocabulary words related to Christmas that you can use during the holiday seasons in Korea.

• Santa -산타(santa)
• Grandfather Santa – 산타 할아버지 (santa-hallabeoji)
• gift/Present – 선물 (seonmul)
• Decoration – 장식 (jangsik)
• Christmas Tree – 크리스마스 트리 (keuriseumaseu teuri)
• Wreath – 화환 (hwahwan)
• Snow:  눈 (nun)
• Christmas card – 크리스마스 카드(keuriseumaseu kadeu)
• Christmas carol – 크리스마스 캐롤(keuriseumaseu kaerol)
• Turkey: 칠면조 고기 (chilmyeonjo gogi)
• Santa: 산타 (santa)

• Pine tree: 소나무 (sonamu)
• Elf – 꼬마 요정(kkoma yojeong)
• Bell – 크리스마스 종(keuriseumaseu jong)
• Chimney – 굴뚝(gulttuk)
• Fireplace – 벽난로(byeognanro)
• Stocking – 크리스마스 양말 (keuriseumaseu yangmal)
• Candy Cane – 사탕 지팡이 (satang jipangi)
• Rudolph- 루돌프 (rudolpeu)
• Reindeer – 순록 (sunnok)
• North Pole – 북극 (bukgeuk)
• Mistletoe – 겨우살이 (gyeousari)
• Snowman: 눈사람 (nunsaram)
• Sled – 썰매(sseolmae)
• Snowflake – 눈송이(nunsongi)

Conclusion

Voila! you now know how to wish a Merry Christmas in Korean – and a few other good options, besides!

As the end of the year approaches and to make the season even more special, you need the perfect greetings to say to your loved ones. 

I hope the Korean greetings listed in this article will help you write a Christmas card, a business email, or wish in person.

Now that you know how to say Merry Christmas in Korean, go and greet your Korean friends and loved ones! 

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