25 Festive Methods To Say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Totally different Languages

Arabic: عيد ميلاد مجيد (Eid milad majid)

Whereas most Arabic-speaking cultures don’t have fun Christmas, you’ll be able to nonetheless say “Merry Christmas” in Arabic with the greeting Eid milad majid (“Glad Vacation of Delivery”) to individuals who do. And when you’re unsure, say Eutlat saeida, a extra basic time period for “Glad Holidays!”

Chinese language: 圣诞快乐 (Shèngdàn kuàilè)

Many Chinese language audio system have fun Christmas, although not everybody celebrates December twenty fifth as a Christian vacation. It’s extra about buying and items, much like how People have fun Valentine’s Day. Shèngdàn kuàilè is one of the best ways to say “Merry Christmas” in Chinese language, or you’ll be able to say “Glad Holidays” with the greeting Jiérì kuàilè!

Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

Christmas is a winter wonderland within the Netherlands, the place Dutch audio system want one another Vrolijk Kerstfeest and anticipate the arrival of Sinterklaas (primarily based on St. Nicholas) by way of steamboat from Spain. You may also say Prettige Feestdagen (“Glad Holidays”)when you’re unsure whether or not somebody celebrates the Christmas vacation.

Farsi: کریسمس مبارک (Krismas Mobaarak!)

Most Farsi or Persian audio system stay in Iran, an Islamic nation the place Christmas isn’t a generally celebrated vacation. Nevertheless, many Christian immigrants have fun Christmas in Iran, as do some Farsi audio system who immigrate to different international locations. Say “Merry Christmas” in Farsi with Krismas Mobaarak, or say Ta’tilaat mobaarak (“Glad Holidays”) when you’re unsure which winter vacation they have fun.

French: Joyeux Noël!

Craving a Bûche de Noël after opening Christmas items from the best Parisian outlets? Have a good time Christmas in France this yr, the place French audio system say Joyeux Noël! when the vacation season begins on December 6. For a extra basic vacation greeting, it’s also possible to say Joyeuses Fêtes (“Glad Holidays”) to the well-wishers you move on Avenue des Champs- Élysées.

German: Frohe Weihnachten!

Anybody visiting Germany throughout the Christmas season is aware of the magic of a German Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market), full with mulled wine often known as Glühwein. Say “Merry Christmas” in German—Frohe Weihnachten—to the German audio system you encounter, or Schöne Feiertage (“Glad Holidays”).

Greek: Καλά Χριστούγεννα! (Kalá Christoúgenna!)

Christmas is each a religious and festive vacation in Greece, making it a superb time to go to (or spend time with Greek buddies). Craft karavaki (boat ornaments) and depend all the way down to the arrival of Agios Vasilis (St. Basil) on January 1st. Whilst you wait, want your new buddies “Merry Christmas” in Greek by saying Kalá Christoúgenna, or Kalés giortés (“Glad Holidays”) in the event that they don’t have fun Christmas.

Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka!

Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters are the primary ones to let you know that Mele Kalikimaka means “Merry Christmas” in Hawaiian. And when you’ve ever been to Hawaii throughout Christmas, you understand there’s nothing like a sundown luau on the sand to get you within the vacation spirit. For a much less Christmas-specific greeting in Hawaiian, strive Hauʻoli lā hoʻomaha (“Glad Holidays”)!

Hebrew: חג שמח (Chag Sameach!)

As a result of Christmas is historically a Christian vacation, you received’t hear a lot about it in Hebrew. Hebrew audio system are extra apt to have fun Hanukkah, the place the greeting Chag Sameach (“Glad Vacation”) brings pleasure and cheer to celebrants. This Hebrew greeting isn’t unique to Hanukkah, although, so be happy to make use of it when wishing somebody nicely on any joyful winter vacation.

Hindi: क्रिसमस की बधाई (Krisamas Kee Badhaee!)

Nearly half one million folks on the planet communicate Hindi, together with folks residing in India, the place Hindi is without doubt one of the official languages. Additionally residing in India are 28 million Christians, a lot of whom have fun Christmas and communicate a Hindi dialect. Throughout December, chances are you’ll hear greetings of Krisamas Kee Badhaee in Indian neighborhoods, or Chhuttiyon kee shubhakaamanaen (“Glad Holidays”) from those that don’t have fun the vacation.

Irish: Nollaig Shona!

Is it even Christmas when you haven’t taken a dip within the Irish Sea? In Eire, it isn’t. Irish Christmasgoers greet one another with calls of Nollaig Shona (or Ablythe Yuletide in Alson-Scots) as quickly because the season begins on January 6 with “Girls’s Christmas.” Take pleasure in Christmas markets, vacation feasts, and naturally, a frigid (but renewing!) Christmas swim.

Italian: Buon Natale!

For extravagant nativity scenes and a feast you’ll always remember, spend Christmas in Italy. Say “Merry Christmas” in Italian with the seasonal greeting Buon Natale (or Buone feste! to say “Glad Holidays!”) and partake in Italian Christmas traditions, together with parades for the Immacolata Concezione and the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve.

Japanese: メリークリスマス (Merī kurisumasu)

In Japan, Christmas is extra of a secular celebration, full with American-style fried hen as a Christmas Eve delicacy. You’ll hear folks calling “Merry Christmas” in Japanese (Merī kurisumasu, or Yoi kyūka o for extra basic vacation greetings), style strawberry-infused kurisumasu keki (Christmas cake), and trade items along with your vital different over a candlelit dinner.

Korean: 메리 크리스마스 (Meli keuliseumaseu)

As a result of Christianity is without doubt one of the hottest religions in Korea, Christmas is a nationwide vacation there. For individuals who aren’t Christian, it’s a enjoyable, business vacation like Valentine’s Day, the place {couples} trade items and categorical their love. You possibly can say Meli keuliseumaseu to Korean Christmas celebrants, or Jeulgeoun hyuil bonaeseyo (“Glad Holidays”) when you’re unsure whether or not they have fun.

Latin: Felix Nativitas!

Who says Latin is a lifeless language? It’s alive and nicely in trendy Romance languages, and you may hold it going with a Latin Christmas greeting: Felix Nativitas! It harkens again to the very first Christmas celebrations within the Roman Empire beneath Constantine. You may also say Felix Dies Festos (“Glad Holidays”) to cowl the remainder of the winter holidays in Latin.

Polish: Wesołych Świąt!

For those who’re fortunate sufficient to take pleasure in a Polish Christmas dinner, anticipate to see an empty seat for the niespodziewany gość (surprising visitor). This Polish custom and accompanying feast is only one option to say “Merry Christmas” in Polish, together with the greeting Wesołych Świąt! You may also say Wszystkiego najlepszego (“Glad Holidays”) if somebody doesn’t have fun Christmas.

Portuguese: Feliz Natal!

Your Portuguese Christmas expertise could differ, relying on the nation the place you’re celebrating. A Christmas in Portuguese-speaking Brazil takes place throughout the summer season, the place the climate is heat sufficient to welcome Santa on the seaside. Winter in Portugal is a bit colder, bringing celebrants indoors to take pleasure in Cabrito Assado (roasted lamb). To say “Merry Christmas” in Portuguese, use the greeting ​​Feliz Natal, or the extra secular Boas Festas (“Glad Holidays”). 

Russian: С Рождеством (S Rozhdestvom!)

Christmas is taken into account a excessive vacation within the Russian Orthodox Church. It takes place on December 25 on the Julian calendar, which is January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Primarily a non secular vacation, Christmas in Russia features a household feast and all-night vigil earlier than church providers the subsequent morning. S Rozhdestvom means “Merry Christmas” in Russian—or you’ll be able to say Schastlivy prazdnikov (“Glad Holidays”) if the particular person you’re talking to doesn’t have fun Christmas.

Spanish: ¡Feliz Navidad!

The basic Christmas carol “Feliz Navidad” confirms that it means “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. And that’s true when you’re celebrating Christmas in Mexico or one other Spanish-speaking nation. 

However in Spain, the Christmas greeting is dependent upon your area. Whereas staying in Catalonia, you’ll say Bon Nadal, whereas guests to Galicia would say Bo Nadal. Basque audio system greet one another within the vacation season by saying Eguberri on!

Swahili: Krismasi Njema!

Many African cultures have fun Christmas in numerous methods. Parades, feasts, donations, and spiritual providers are only a few African Christmas traditions. Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, celebrants carry out Bible performs to coincide with the primary couple of minutes of Christmas day. Say “Merry Christmas” in Swahili with the phrase Krismasi Njema or Likizo Njema (“Glad Holidays”).

Swedish: God Jul!

A number of of your favourite yuletide traditions come from Scandinavian international locations like Sweden—together with the phrase “yuletide!” The Swedish Christmas greeting, God Jul, sounds just like the English “Good yuletide” (which is sensible, contemplating they’re each Germanic languages). 

Tagalog: Maligayang Pasko!

For those who love placing up your Christmas decorations early, take into account spending the vacations within the Philippines, the place Christmas decor goes up round September or October. Filipino houses additionally function the parol, a paper lantern that symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. Greet your Filipino buddies with the Tagalog phrase Maligayang Pasko, or go for a extra secular greeting like Maligayang bakasyon (“Glad Holidays”)!

Turkish: Mutlu Noeller!

Turkey (the Republic of Türkiye) has a Muslim majority in its inhabitants, so Christmas isn’t generally celebrated. Many of the vacation focus is on the New 12 months celebration, and also you’ll undoubtedly see these festivities in public! Want those that have fun a “Merry Christmas” in Turkish by saying Mutlu Noeller, or strive saying Mutlu tatiller to want somebody a contented vacation season.

Vietnamese: Giáng sinh vui vẻ!

Rooted in its historical past of French colonialism, Christmas in Vietnam consists of many French traditions. From vacation parades to Le Réveillon de Noël (Christmas Eve dinner), Christmas is a secular vacation that hyperlinks Vietnam to the Western World. To say “Merry Christmas” in Vietnamese, say Giáng sinh vui vẻ! You may also greet folks with the phrase Ngày nghỉ vui vẻ (“Glad Holidays”).

Celebrating Christmas all around the world

Whether or not you’re anticipating Santa Claus, Agios Vasilis, or Sinterklaas throughout the Christmas season, you’ll discover a number of vacation enjoyable in practically each nation. Begin planning your subsequent worldwide journey with a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone, which helps you study all languages in our catalog.