Happy New Year!
I hope the coming year brings you energy, focus, and a few new words to add to your vocabulary.
As English speakers, it’s easy to default to “Happy New Year,” but every language brings its own sound, rhythm, and meaning to this celebration. Learning these greetings is more than a language exercise; it’s a simple way to connect with people far beyond your usual circle. Below is a tour of New Year phrases from different languages, with pronunciation tips and notes to help you use them with confidence.
A friendly and very common wish you can say to almost anyone. Add et bonne santé if you want to wish someone good health.
You’ll hear this throughout Spain and Latin America. It’s appropriate in both casual and formal situations.
Clear and simple. Germans often say this with a handshake or hug when greeting someone for the first time in the new year.
A polite and complete New Year greeting you can use in most situations, including formal ones. With close friends, you may hear the casual shortened form あけおめ.
A general way to say “Happy New Year.” Around Lunar New Year, you may also hear:
- 新春快乐 (Xīnchūn kuàilè) – “Happy Spring Festival”
- 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) – “Wishing you wealth and prosperity”
A warm, respectful greeting understood across many Arabic-speaking regions, though local expressions may vary.
A friendly and familiar way to wish someone a happy new year across India.
This phrase means “Please receive many blessings in the new year.” It’s polite, widely used, and very well-liked.
Short, musical, and easy to remember. You may also hear Buon anno nuovo, a longer variation.
Used in both Portugal and Brazil. Add tudo de bom to wish someone “all the best” in the new year.
New Year greetings may be short, but each one carries its own world of tradition and warmth.
