How to Say Happy New Year in Different Languages Around the World
How to Say Happy New Year in Different Languages Around the World
As the New Year approaches, one of the most common seasonal questions people ask is how to say Happy New Year in different languages. Whether you are traveling, greeting international friends, learning a new language, or creating multilingual content, knowing how people around the world express New Year wishes helps build cultural connection and respect.
Although the sentiment behind the greeting is universal, the words themselves vary widely. Some languages focus on happiness, others on blessings, prosperity, or good fortune. From a linguistic perspective, these differences reflect how cultures view time, renewal, and hope.
How to Say Happy New Year in Different Languages
If you are searching for how to say Happy New Year in different languages, the most common translations include “Feliz Año Nuevo” in Spanish, “Bonne Année” in French, “Frohes Neues Jahr” in German, and “新年快乐” in Chinese. Below is a complete comparison table showing how to say Happy New Year in 50 different languages, including pronunciation guidance for accurate use.
How to Say Happy New Year in 50 Different Languages
| Language | How to Say Happy New Year | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Happy New Year | ha-pee noo yeer |
| Spanish | Feliz Año Nuevo | feh-LEES AH-nyoh NWEH-voh |
| French | Bonne Année | bun ah-NAY |
| German | Frohes Neues Jahr | FROH-ess NOY-ess YAR |
| Italian | Buon Anno | bwohn AHN-no |
| Portuguese | Feliz Ano Novo | feh-LEES AH-noh NOH-voh |
| Dutch | Gelukkig Nieuwjaar | guh-LUK-kigh NYOO-yar |
| Swedish | Gott Nytt År | got nit or |
| Norwegian | Godt Nyttår | goot nit-or |
| Danish | Godt Nytår | goot neet-or |
| Finnish | Hyvää Uutta Vuotta | HOO-vah OO-tah VOO-or-tah |
| Icelandic | Gleðilegt Nýtt Ár | GLEH-thi-lek nit ow-er |
| Irish | Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise | ah-vlee-an fee wash-uh |
| Welsh | Blwyddyn Newydd Dda | BLITH-in NEH-with tha |
| Polish | Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku | shchen-slee-VEH-go no-VEH-go ROH-koo |
| Czech | Šťastný Nový Rok | SHCHAST-nee NOH-vee rok |
| Slovak | Šťastný Nový Rok | SHCHAST-nee NOH-vee rok |
| Hungarian | Boldog Új Évet | BOL-dog OOY EH-vet |
| Romanian | La Mulți Ani | lah MULL-ts anee |
| Bulgarian | Честита Нова Година | CHES-tee-tah NOH-vah go-DEE-nah |
| Greek | Καλή Χρονιά | kah-LEE hroh-NYAH |
| Russian | С Новым годом | s NO-vym GO-dam |
| Ukrainian | З Новим роком | z NOH-vim ROH-kom |
| Serbian | Srećna Nova Godina | SRECH-nah NOH-vah go-DEE-nah |
| Croatian | Sretna Nova Godina | SRET-nah NOH-vah go-DEE-nah |
| Turkish | Mutlu Yıllar | MOOT-loo YIL-lar |
| Arabic | سنة جديدة سعيدة | sah-nah ja-DEE-dah sa-EE-dah |
| Hebrew | שנה טובה | shah-NAH toh-VAH |
| Persian (Farsi) | سال نو مبارک | saal no MOO-bah-rak |
| Hindi | नया साल मुबारक हो | naya saal mu-BAH-rak ho |
| Urdu | نیا سال مبارک ہو | naya saal moo-BAH-rak ho |
| Bengali | শুভ নববর্ষ | SHOO-boh no-bo-BOR-sho |
| Tamil | புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துகள் | poo-THAN-doo vah-LTHOO-gul |
| Thai | สวัสดีปีใหม่ | sah-wah-dee pee-mai |
| Vietnamese | Chúc Mừng Năm Mới | chook moong nahm moy |
| Indonesian | Selamat Tahun Baru | suh-LAH-maht TAH-hoon bah-ROO |
| Malay | Selamat Tahun Baru | suh-LAH-maht TAH-hoon bah-ROO |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Manigong Bagong Taon | mah-nee-GONG bah-GONG tah-ON |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 新年快乐 | shin nyen kwai luh |
| Cantonese | 新年快樂 | san nin fye lok |
| Japanese | あけましておめでとうございます | ah-keh-MAH-shee-teh oh-meh-deh-TOH |
| Korean | 새해 복 많이 받으세요 | seh-heh bok MAH-nee bah-deu-seh-yo |
| Mongolian | Шинэ жилийн мэнд | SHEE-neh jeel-ehn mend |
| Swahili | Heri ya Mwaka Mpya | HEH-ree yah MWAH-kah MPEE-yah |
| Zulu | Unyaka Omusha Omuhle | oo-NYAH-kah oh-MOO-shah oh-MOO-hleh |
| Afrikaans | Gelukkige Nuwejaar | guh-LUK-kih-khe NOO-yar |
Cultural Meaning Behind New Year Greetings
Many people assume every language directly translates to “Happy New Year,” but linguistically this is not always the case. Some cultures emphasize happiness, while others focus on blessings, abundance, peace, or congratulations. For example, Korean New Year greetings wish the listener prosperity, while Japanese greetings emphasize respect and formality.
Understanding these nuances helps explain why searches for how to say Happy New Year in different languages increase every year during December and early January.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say Happy New Year in different languages?
Happy New Year is said as Feliz Año Nuevo in Spanish, Bonne Année in French, Frohes Neues Jahr in German, Buon Anno in Italian, 新年快乐 in Chinese, and あけましておめでとうございます in Japanese.
What is the most universal way to say Happy New Year?
English is the most widely understood phrase globally, but using a local language greeting is often more appreciated.
Do all cultures celebrate New Year on January 1?
No. Some cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year, Nowruz, or other calendar-based New Year traditions, which influences how and when greetings are used.
Learn to Say Happy New Year
Learning how to say Happy New Year in different languages is a simple yet powerful way to connect with people across cultures. Each phrase carries history, tradition, and shared hope for renewal and prosperity.
As the New Year begins, even a single greeting spoken in another language can create warmth, respect, and meaningful connection anywhere in the world.
