The new year is always looked forward to as a time of renewal and opportunity. In many cultures it is New Year’s Eve that is more enthusiastically celebrated; but the sentiment of wishing others a happy or prosperous upcoming year is universal.
Celebrating the New Year
New Year's Day is celebrated by most of the world on January 1. However, in some cultures and religions the New Year is celebrated on an entirely different day based on alternate calendars. Regardless of when the New Year is celebrated, all cultures offer greetings or best wishes for a happy or prosperous New Year.
How To Say "Happy New Year" in Many Languages
English speakers typically say “Happy New Year” to extend best wishes on the holiday. A survey of linguists and native speakers around the world has produced the following list of New Year greetings in a variety of languages. Unless otherwise noted, the phrases listed translate pretty closely into "Happy New Year."
- Afrikaans - Voorspoedige nuwe jaar
- Chinese/Cantonese - Sun nien fai lok
- Chinese/Mandarin - Xin nian yu kuai
- Czech - Štastný Nový rok 2009 ( Note: Czechs usually add the year to the Happy New Year phrase. Czechs also send greeting cards which say, “PF 2009." The PF stands for the French words pour féliciter.)
- Danish - Godt NytÅr
- Dutch - Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
- Filipino - Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat (Translates as "Happy New Year to All." Note: Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon is more traditional, meaning "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
- Finnish - Onnellista uutta vuotta
- French – Bonne Année
- German - Ein glückliches neues Jahr (Translates as "A Happy New Year"; some might say Prosit Neujahr! which is a toast to the New Year.)
- Greek - Chronia Polla (Translates into “many years.” It is used also for birthdays, holidays, and patron saints’ name days.)
- Hawaiian - Hau ‘oli Makahiki Hou (A classic Happy New Year greeting); Aloha Makahiki Hou (a more current form of the greeting)
- Hebrew - Shana Tova
- Hmong - Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab Italian – Felice Anno Nuovo
- Japanese - Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu or shinnen omeditogozaimasu
- Korean - Sahae bok mani baduseyo (Translates as "Receive a lot of luck for the New Year.")
- Maori - Kia hari te tau hou (Have an enjoyable New Year).
- Ojibwe - Anamikaadiwi-giizhgad (Spoken by Western Ojibwe speakers, translates as "Greeting Day"); Nimkodading (Spoken by Eastern Ojibwe speakers, translates as another way of saying "Greeting Day.")
- Portuguese - Feliz Ano Novo (Appropriate both in Portugal and Brazil)
- Russian - S Novim Godom (Happy New Year); S nastupayušcim Novym Godom (Translates as congrats on the approaching new year.)
- Spanish - ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! and Próspero Año Nuevo
- Swedish - Gott Nytt År
- Thai - Sawatdee Pi Ma (Greeting the New Year)
- Turkish - yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun (May your New Year be happy); Yeni yilinizi kutlar, saglik ve basarilar dileriz (We wish you a happy, healthy and successful new year)
- Vietnamese - Vietnamese - Chúc Mung Nam Moi (A classical Vietnamese Happy New Year greeting); Cung Chúc Tân Xuân (Vietnamese Sino expression for Happy New Year); Làm an phát tài bang nam bang muoi nam ngoái (Prosperity; good luck in business ventures, 10 times more than last year)
- Welsh - Blwyddyn Newydd Dda (Translates as Happy New Year, however the literal translation of Dda is “good.”)
Here's wishing a happy and prosperous New Year to people all over the world!
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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