Whether the new year finds you traveling to Tokyo, learning Russian phrases, or celebrating with Dutch friends, you want your New Year’s greetings to sound authentic. But not every culture celebrates the new year on January 1st—and their celebrations may look very different from the ball drop in Times Square.
Learn how to say “Happy New Year!” and other festive greetings with our guide to New Year’s phrases. We’ve also got tips on celebrating in other countries to ring in the new year like a local!
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How to say ‘Happy New Year’ around the world
Want to know how to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese, Farsi, or Italian? Our quick view of New Year’s greetings in 22 different languages will have you saying Xīnnián Kuàilè, Sale no Mobarak, or Buon Anno in no time. And, with Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent speech recognition engine, you’ll master the regional accent to sound like a local!
| Language | “Happy New Year” | Pronunciation |
| Arabic | سنة جديدة سعيدة (Sanat Jadidat Saeida) |
sah-nat jah-DEE-dat sai-EE-dah |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 新年快乐 (Xīnnián Kuàilè) |
shin-nyen KWAI-luh |
| Dutch | Gelukkig Nieuwjaar | ghew-lewk-ihg NYEW-yar |
| Farsi (Persian) | سال نو مبارک (Sale no Mobarak) |
SAHL-eh no moh-BAHR-ahk |
| French | Bonne Année | BOHN an-EE |
| German | Frohes Neues Jahr | FROH-ess NOY-ess YAHR |
| Greek | Καλή χρονιά (Kalí Chroniá) |
kah-LEE kron-YAH |
| Hebrew | שנה טובה (Shana Tova) |
shah-NAH to-VAH |
| Hindi | नए साल की शुभकामनाएँ (Nae saal kee shubhakaamanaen) |
NAY sahl KEE shub-kahb-nail |
| Irish | Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit | ah-vleen fwee wash-ah gwitch |
| Italian | Buon Anno | BWON an-OH |
| Japanese | あけましておめでとう (Akemashite Amedetō) |
Ah-KEH-mas-hee-teh oh-MEH-deh-tow |
| Korean | 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Sae Hae Bok Mani Ba Du Seo) |
say-EHH-hey boh man-EE-bah-deh-say-oh |
| Latin | Felicem Annum Novum | feh-LEE-sem ANN-uhm NOH-vum |
| Polish | Wszystkiego najlepszego w Nowym Roku | sh-teh-shlee-VEH-go no-VEH-go ROH-koo |
| Portuguese | Feliz Ano Novo | feh-LEES AH-no NO-vo |
| Russian | С Новым Годом (S Novym Godom) |
s-NOH-vum GO-dum |
| Spanish | Feliz Año Nuevo | feh-LEES AN-yo noo-EH-vo |
| Swedish | Gott nytt år | GOT nyeet oor |
| Tagalog | Manigong bagong taon | man-ee GONG bah-GONG tah-ON |
| Turkish | Mutlu yıllar | MOOT-loo yee-LAR |
| Vietnamese | Chúc mừng năm mới | CHOOK moong nam MUI |
New Year’s Day celebrations around the world
Depending on where you are New Year’s Day, it could be January 1st, March 21st, or early October when you celebrate this holiday. Find out when different cultures celebrate their new year based on the Gregorian calendar.
- January 1: Gregorian New Year’s Day
- Late January/early February: Chinese Lunar New Year
- March 21: Persian New Year (Nowruz)
- Late March/early April: Hindu New Year (Ugadi, Yugadi, Samvatsarādi)
- June/July: Islamic New Year (Al-Hijra)
- September/October: Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah)
‘Happy New Year’ in Arabic: Sanat Jadidat Saeida
In countries where Arabic is an official language, including Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, Hijri New Year (or Al-Hijra) falls in late June or early July. It marks the new lunar Hijri year in the month of Muharram in the Muslim calendar, which commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E.
In most Arab countries, Al-Hijra is a public holiday. Celebrants reflect on their faith with prayer, fasting, and silence. Greet friends and party guests in Arabic with the phrase Sanat Jadidat Saeida (“Happy New Year”).
‘Happy New Year’ in Chinese: Xīnnián Kuàilè
If you’ve ever celebrated the Lunar New Year in early January or late February, you know that this Chinese celebration includes lots of delicious food—and the color red. This 15-day festival includes fireworks to usher out the old year and red decorations for wealth and good fortune in the year.
China’s not the only country that commemorates Lunar New Year. Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Malaysia are among the other Asian countries that follow the lunar calendar for their new year. But if you happen to be in China next January or February, say Xīnnián Kuàilè to wish everyone a “Happy New Year” in Chinese!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese
‘Happy New Year’ in Dutch: Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
Travel to the Netherlands on December 31st to celebrate Oudejaarsavond (New Year’s Eve) and ring in Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day). But don’t stay up too late! The Dutch go for a freezing New Year’s dip in the ocean before enjoying Oliebollen, delicious fried balls of dough, and buying tickets for the special Oudejaarslot (New Year’s lottery). Don’t forget to say “Happy New Year” in Dutch—Gelukkig Nieuwjaar—to anyone you see on January 1st!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Dutch
‘Happy New Year’ in Farsi: Sale no Mobarak
Nowruz (New Day), the Persian New Year, takes place around March 21st and lasts for 13 days. Sale no Mobarak (“I wish you a prosperous year”) is the customary greeting for the Persian New Year.
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Persian (Farsi)
On the first day of Nowruz, celebrations begin at noon to welcome Rapithwina (Spirit of Summer and Noon) for the new year. Families set up a Haft-Seen table with a family cloth and seven “S” items: Sirkeh (vinegar for age), sikkeh (coin for wealth), seer (garlic for health), seeb (apples for beauty), sabzeh (wheat for rebirth), samanu (wheat pudding for a sweet life), and sumac (berries for a new day).
‘Happy New Year’ in French: Bonne Année
Depending on which French-speaking country you’re visiting on December 31st, you’ll find different ways to celebrate. In France, enjoy the French holiday Le Réveillon du Nouvel An (New Year’s Eve) with le réveillon, a feast of oysters, foie gras, and Champagne. For Canadian celebrations, pack your warmest clothes for a New Year’s ice fishing trip, or enjoy outdoor concerts and a public ball drop in French-speaking Quebec.
When greeting someone, you can wish them a “Happy New Year” in French with the phrase Bonne Année!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in French
‘Happy New Year’ in German: Frohes Neues Jahr
In Germany, New Year’s Eve is known as Silvester, which refers to the feast of St. Sylvester that falls on December 31st. You’re sure to see fireworks at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin after a traditional Silvester meal of lentil soup.
Enjoy drinks and well wishes (learn to say Mehr Sekt, bitte for “more Champagne, please”) before Neujahrstag, which is New Year’s Day in Germany. Then you can wish everyone a “Happy New Year” in German by saying Frohes Neues Jahr!
‘Happy New Year’ in Greek: Kalí Chroniá
There’s cake and good fortune waiting for you when you start the year in Greece. On New Year’s Eve, Greek households keep the tradition of Podariko (good foot) by carefully selecting the first person to enter their home in the new year for good luck.
According to the Podariko custom, the second person in the house should smash a pomegranate against the door for additional good luck. If many seeds spill to the ground, the host will have lots of luck in the year to come. Say Kalí Chroniá (“Happy New Year”) to ring in the new year in Greek!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Greek
‘Happy New Year’ in Hebrew: Shanah Tovah
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year in late September or early October (Tishrei 1-2 in the Jewish calendar). A customary Hebrew greeting for Rosh Hashanah is Shanah Tovah, which means “A good year.”
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Hebrew
On Rosh Hashanah, Jewish families all over the world celebrate by dipping apples into honey for a “sweet” new year, and sharing challah (a braided bread) and fish. You’ll also hear someone blow the shofar (a ram’s horn) to call for repentance and see pomegranates decorating the dinner table.
‘Happy New Year’ in Hindi: Nae saal kee shubhakaamanaen
New Year’s celebrations vary in Hindi-speaking countries. In India, the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka observe Ugadi, also known as Yugadi or Samvatsarādi, a Hindu festival held on the first day of Chaitra on the Hindu calendar (around March or April on the Gregorian calendar). Ugadi celebrates new beginnings with temple observances, new clothing, and bathing.
Other Hindi-speaking states in India, such as Maharashtra and Goa, celebrate Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year) at the same time of year. In Punjab, the Sikh population celebrates the new year on the first day of Vaisakh on the Punjab solar calendar (April), and Bengal and Bangladesh celebrate Pohela Boishak in the same month on the Bengali calendar. No matter where you celebrate an Indian New Year, you can say “Happy New Year” in Hindi with the phrase Nae saal kee shubhakaamanaen.
‘Happy New Year’ in Irish: Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit
Known for its symbols of good luck, Ireland is a noisy place to be on New Year’s Eve. Irish celebrants ward off bad luck by banging on pots and pans at the stroke of midnight and pounding on their walls with Christmas bread. Custom says that if a tall, handsome man enters your home first on New Year’s Day, you’ll have good luck all year. However, a red-haired girl may bring poor fortune to your household until the next new year.
When greeting one Irish person on New Year’s Day, you can say Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit. For a group of people, say Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh.
‘Happy New Year’ in Italian: Buon Anno
If you’re lucky enough to spend a holiday in Italy, you know that the celebrations are unforgettable—and delicious. But the new year in Italy is an especially festive time of year, as it’s all about Via il vecchio, avanti il nuovo (out with the old, in with the new). At the stroke of midnight, Italians practice buttare le cose vecchie (throwing out old things) by tossing old dishes and furniture out the window to clear space for a new beginning.
Say “Happy New Year” in Italian with the phrase Buon Anno and a kiss on both cheeks. And if you’re in Florence, you can celebrate the new year again on March 25th, which marks the Feast of the Annunciation (the first day in the Julian calendar).
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Italian
‘Happy New Year’ in Japanese: Akemashite Amedetō
The Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu) has fallen on January 1st since Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in the late 19th century. If you’re traveling in Japan during this period, you’re likely to see families doing a deep clean on their homes (the purifying ritual of osouji), visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines (hatsumode, the first temple visit of the year), and watching the first sunrise to welcome in the new year (hatsuhinode).
In parts of Japan, you’ll also hear the tradition of Joya-no-Kane, in which 108 bell rings—the final one at midnight—remind listeners to reject the 108 human desires. Feel free to say Akemashite Amedetō (“Happy New Year”) anytime between January 1st and 3rd!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Japanese
‘Happy New Year’ in Korean: Sae Hae Bok Mani Ba Du Seo
Seollal, the Korean New Year, marks the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar in both North and South Korea. It’s a time to remember and worship one’s ancestors with food and blessings in the Korean charye rituals and eat ddeokguk (rice cake soup) with family.
After the feast, children and their parents play Yut Nori, a game in which participants throw sticks to move their team to the finish line. Say “Happy New Year” in Korean this year with the popular phrase Sae Hae Bok Mani Ba Du Seo!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Korean
‘Happy New Year’ in Latin: Felicem Annum Novum
Although Latin is not a living language in the 21st century, it was during the first New Year’s celebrations of ancient Rome. The Roman New Year fell on March 15th (known as the Ides of March), the first full moon in the Roman calendar and the day when consuls took office. Celebrants attended the festival of Anna Perenna, (Eternal Year), the goddess of renewal and long life, and drank from a holy spring to ensure their own long lives.
The new year was changed to January 1st, known in Latin as Calendae Ianuariae (first day in January) in 153 B.C.E. January itself was named after the Roman god Janus, whose two faces pointed toward the past and the future. If you’d like to revive these traditions, try saying “Happy New Year” in Latin—Felicem Annum Novum!
‘Happy New Year’ in Polish: Wszystkiego najlepszego w Nowym Roku
Poland celebrates the new year with fireworks, dancing, live music, and folk superstitions. Polish households make sure they have enough food to go around on New Year’s Eve to keep food scarcity away during the new year. They also place a silver coin in a bowl of ice water before pouring the bowl onto one guest’s head, ensuring purity and riches will come their way.
If you find yourself in a Polish village or big city this year, make sure to say Wszystkiego najlepszego w Nowym Roku (“Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year”)!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Polish
‘Happy New Year’ in Portuguese: Feliz Ano Novo
Portugal and Brazil are both home to large Portuguese-speaking populations, but their New Year’s celebrations aren’t exactly the same. New Year’s Eve (Passagem de Ano in Portugal, Reveillon in Brazil) falls on December 31st and is marked by parties, fireworks, and Champagne.
In Portugal, celebrants wear blue underwear for good luck in the new year. Brazilians typically wear white on New Year’s Eve based on African tradition, though they may wear colored underwear for different blessings (yellow for money, pink for love, green for health, orange for success). No matter where you’re celebrating, Feliz Ano Novo is the customary way to say “Happy New Year” in Portuguese.
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Portuguese
‘Happy New Year’ in Russian: S Novym Godom
Novy God, the Russian New Year, is a big event throughout Russia. Popular traditions include setting up the Novogodnyaya Yolka (New Year tree), setting the table for a feast of Russian salad, Selyodka pod shuboy (herring under a fur coat), and caviar.
Like other European cultures, Russians believe that the first person in the door during the new year, or pervy gost, can bring good luck, especially if that person is a man with a gift. Say “Happy New Year” in Russian with the phrase S Novym Godom!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Russian
‘Happy New Year’ in Spanish: Feliz Año Nuevo
No matter whether you’re celebrating the holidays in Mexico, Spain, Central America, or South America, you’re bound to have a good time on New Year’s Eve. In Mexico and Spain, people celebrate Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) with fireworks, dancing, a feast, and eating 12 grapes at midnight.
Ecuadorians burn papier-mâché effigies representing what went wrong in the previous year, while Colombians run through the street with a suitcase to ensure safe travels in the upcoming year. If you find yourself in a Spanish-speaking country this New Year’s, use the greeting Feliz Año Nuevo to say “Happy New Year” in Spanish!
‘Happy New Year’ in Swedish: Gott nytt år
Americans visiting Sweden on New Year’s Eve will find the traditions familiar. With New Year’s toasts, fireworks, and a kiss at midnight, Swedish party guests ensure that their new year starts with the people they love. A Swedish New Year’s feast also may feel familiar to Americans, as Swedish hosts typically serve lobster, shellfish, and chocolate rather than traditional Swedish dishes.
One Swedish tradition is the televised reading of the poem “Nyårsklockan” (“Ring Out, Wild Bells”) by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. After the reading, feel free to wish everyone a “Happy New Year” in Swedish by saying Gott nytt år!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Swedish
‘Happy New Year’ in Tagalog: Manigong bagong taon
Bagong Taon (Filipino New Year) is all about securing your financial situation for the coming year. Whether it’s paying all of your debts, wearing polka dots for prosperity (the round dots symbolize coins), or eating round fruit, celebrating New Year’s in the Philippines ensures that you won’t have money problems in the year to come.
On December 31st, families gather for Media Noche (a feast that begins at midnight) with traditional dishes like long noodles and sticky rice. Celebrants avoid thorny fruits, which symbolize hardships, and chicken and fish, which symbolize scarcity. Say “Happy New Year” in Tagalog this year when you shout Manigong bagong taon at midnight!
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Tagalog
‘Happy New Year’ in Turkish: Mutlu yıllar
In the last century, Turkey has moved toward a Western celebration of the new year by moving away from the Islamic calendar and adopting the Gregorian calendar. Now Yeni yıl gün (New Year’s Day) falls on January 1st and is the only non-religious public holiday in Turkey. The celebration begins at the stroke of midnight with a number of customs, as celebrants sprinkle salt on their doorstep for luck, unlock a padlock for good finances to come, and run the tap to let abundance into their home.
To say “Happy New Year” in Turkish, you can say Mutlu yıllar (Happy New Year) or Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun (have a happy New Year).
LISTEN: How to say “Happy New Year” in Turkish
‘Happy New Year’ in Vietnamese: Chúc mừng năm mới
In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is known as Tết Nguyên Đán (or Tết). It falls at the same time as the Chinese Lunar New Year, between late January and early February, when spring begins in Vietnam. Celebrants place kumquat trees and peach blossoms in public spaces for health and prosperity. Elders give bao lì xì (red money envelopes) to younger family members before enjoying a piece of bánh chưng (rice cake with mung beans and pork).
If you’re invited into a Vietnamese household for Tết, consider it an honor. Greet your hosts with Chúc mừng năm mới (”Happy New Year”)!
Ring in the new year anywhere in the world
No matter where you find yourself this holiday season, learning a new language is a great start to the year—and an excellent New Year’s resolution. If you’re traveling during the rest of the holiday season, find out how to say “Merry Christmas” in different languages, or which languages have a phrase for “Happy Kwanzaa.”
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