Merry Christmas in Greek (+6 Extra Vacation Greetings)

Need to take part on the festive enjoyable and need your Greek mates a Merry Christmas? Step one could be to discover ways to say “Merry Christmas” in Greek! Brief reply: it’s Καλά Χριστούγεννα (Kalá Christoúgenna). Lengthy reply: why cease there? As a substitute, study extra festive phrases, vacation phrases, and associated vocabulary!

Here’s a fast abstract of the festive phrases we’ll cowl:

Καλά Χριστούγεννα: “Merry Christmas” in Greek

Καλά (Kalá) means “good” or “merry,” and Χριστούγεννα (Christoúgenna) means “Christmas.” You usually say this on Christmas Eve, moderately than on the precise Christmas Day.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα is pronounced Kalá Christoúgenna, with the ch sounding like a “h,” and the g sounding like a “y” sound. It’s the go-to phrase to say “Merry Christmas” in Greek.

Don’t neglect that the accent marks point out phrase stress in Greek — so that you’d say ka-LA chris-TOU-genna.

Breaking Down the Phrase Χριστούγεννα (Christoúgenna)

The origin of the Greek phrase for Christmas, Χριστούγεννα (Christoúgenna), is fairly attention-grabbing to take a look at:

• Χριστός (Christós) means “Christ”
• Γέννα (génna) means “delivery”

So, Χριστούγεννα actually means “Christ’s delivery.” Fairly easy, proper?

Different Festive Greetings in Greek

Positive, you’ll hear Καλά Χριστούγεννα (“Merry Christmas”) on a regular basis, however you’ll additionally come throughout different festive phrases, just like the equivalents of “Comfortable Holidays,” “Comfortable Christmas,” and “Comfortable New 12 months.”

Listed below are 6 extra festive Greek greetings for Christmas and afterward.

1. Καλές Γιορτές! (Kalés Yiortés!): “Comfortable Holidays!”
2. Ευτυχισμένα Χριστούγεννα! (Eftychisména Christoúgenna!): “Comfortable Christmas!”
3. Χαρούμενα Χριστούγεννα! (Charoúmena Christoúgenna!): ”Merry/Joyful Christmas!”
4. Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος! (Kalá Christoúgenna kai Eftychisméno to Néo Étos!): “Merry Christmas and Comfortable New 12 months!”
5. Καλή Χρονιά! (Kalí Chroniá): “Comfortable New 12 months!”
6. Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Pollá): “Many Years”

Observe: Χρόνια Πολλά actually interprets to “Many Years” in English. It’s a multipurpose greeting, used for varied celebrations and desires. It’s basically a want for somebody to have many extra years of life, well being, and happiness. You too can say it on:

• Birthdays: Χρόνια Πολλά is a standard birthday want.
• Christmas Day: After Christmas Eve, together with on Christmas Day, you’d say Χρόνια Πολλά as an alternative of Καλά Χριστούγεννα.
• Identify Days: In Greece, title days (the feast day of the saint after whom an individual is called) are essential. You possibly can have a good time somebody’s title day with Χρόνια Πολλά, however a extra particular title day greeting could be Να χαίρεσαι το όνομά σου (Na chaíresai to ónomá sou) — “Might you rejoice in your title” or “could you take pleasure in your title.”

Greek Christmas Traditions

Do you know that Greeks normally alternate presents on New 12 months’s Eve moderately than Christmas Day?

Listed below are another traditions:

1. Kalanda (Κάλαντα): On Christmas Eve and New 12 months’s Eve, youngsters go to their neighbors to sing kalanda, or Christmas carols. Sadly, that is turning into much less frequent in large cities.
2. Christmas Boats: Adorning boats for Christmas is an previous Greek custom, particularly in coastal areas and islands. Up to now, wives and kids of sailors used to decorate picket boats to welcome males residence. At the moment, many Greek cities and houses nonetheless show illuminated boat fashions, however lots of people additionally adorn bushes.
3. Christopsomo (Χριστόψωμο): That means “Christ’s Bread,” Christopsomo is a candy bread embellished with a cross. By the way in which, frequent Greek phrase alert: ψωμί (psomί) means “bread” in Greek.
4. Vasilopita (Βασιλόπιτα): This New 12 months’s cake has a hidden coin inside. Whoever finds the coin of their slice is claimed to have good luck for the 12 months.
5. Breaking a pomegranate on New 12 months’s Day: Simply after midnight or on New 12 months’s Day, Greeks break a pomegranate by throwing it. This act is believed to deliver good luck and prosperity for the approaching 12 months.

Greek Christmas Phrases and Vocabulary

To essentially get into the Greek Christmas spirit, listed below are some extra seasonal phrases:

FAQs

How does Greece say “Merry Christmas”?

Christmas in Greek is Καλά Χριστούγεννα (Kalá Christoúgenna). It’s the mixture of two phrases: Καλά, that means “good,” and Christoúgenna, “Christmas.”

What’s the conventional Greek Christmas greeting?

You’ll say Καλά Χριστούγεννα (Kalá Christoúgenna), “Merry Christmas” on Christmas Eve or anytime earlier than Christmas. On Christmas Day, you’d say Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Pollá).

What do Greek Orthodox say on Christmas?

Earlier than Christmas, together with on Christmas Eve, Greeks say Καλά Χριστούγεννα (Kalá Christoúgenna). On Christmas Day, they are saying Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Pollá).

What’s the Greek phrase for Christmas?

The Greek phrase for Christmas is Χριστούγεννα (Christoúgenna). It’s the mixture of the phrases Χριστός (Christós), “Christ” and γέννα (génna), “delivery.”

Able to Have fun in Greek!

You’re now able to have a good time a number of particular days in Greek — from Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve to birthdays and title days! Decide probably the most appropriate phrase from our checklist, or just use Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Pollá), which inserts many events.

Check out our different Greek articles and studying sources to enhance your vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural data!

Yaren Fadiloglulari

Freelance Content material Author & Journalist

Initially from Cyprus, Yaren is a freelance author for a lot of digital publications, journey and schooling manufacturers, and start-ups.

Speaks: English, Turkish, French, and Spanish

View all posts by Yaren Fadiloglulari