25 Festive Ways To Say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Different Languages

Arabic: عيد ميلاد مجيد (Eid milad majid)

While most Arabic-speaking cultures don’t celebrate Christmas, you can still say “Merry Christmas” in Arabic with the greeting Eid milad majid (“Happy Holiday of Birth”) to people who do. And if you’re not sure, say Eutlat saeida, a more general term for “Happy Holidays!”

Chinese: 圣诞快乐 (Shèngdàn kuàilè)

Many Chinese speakers celebrate Christmas, though not everyone celebrates December 25th as a Christian holiday. It’s more about shopping and gifts, similar to how Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day. Shèngdàn kuàilè is the best way to say “Merry Christmas” in Chinese, or you can say “Happy Holidays” with the greeting Jiérì kuàilè!

Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

Christmas is a winter wonderland in the Netherlands, where Dutch speakers wish each other Vrolijk Kerstfeest and anticipate the arrival of Sinterklaas (based on St. Nicholas) via steamboat from Spain. You can also say Prettige Feestdagen (“Happy Holidays”)if you’re not sure whether someone celebrates the Christmas holiday.

Farsi: کریسمس مبارک (Krismas Mobaarak!)

Most Farsi or Persian speakers live in Iran, an Islamic country where Christmas is not a commonly celebrated holiday. However, many Christian immigrants celebrate Christmas in Iran, as do some Farsi speakers who immigrate to other countries. Say “Merry Christmas” in Farsi with Krismas Mobaarak, or say Ta’tilaat mobaarak (“Happy Holidays”) if you’re not sure which winter holiday they celebrate.

French: Joyeux Noël!

Craving a Bûche de Noël after opening Christmas gifts from the finest Parisian shops? Celebrate Christmas in France this year, where French speakers say Joyeux Noël! when the holiday season begins on December 6. For a more general holiday greeting, you can also say Joyeuses Fêtes (“Happy Holidays”) to the well-wishers you pass on Avenue des Champs- Élysées.

German: Frohe Weihnachten!

Anyone visiting Germany during the Christmas season knows the magic of a German Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market), complete with mulled wine known as Glühwein. Say “Merry Christmas” in German—Frohe Weihnachten—to the German speakers you encounter, or Schöne Feiertage (“Happy Holidays”).

Greek: Καλά Χριστούγεννα! (Kalá Christoúgenna!)

Christmas is both a spiritual and festive holiday in Greece, making it an excellent time to visit (or spend time with Greek friends). Craft karavaki (boat ornaments) and count down to the arrival of Agios Vasilis (St. Basil) on January 1st. While you wait, wish your new friends “Merry Christmas” in Greek by saying Kalá Christoúgenna, or Kalés giortés (“Happy Holidays”) if they don’t celebrate Christmas.

Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka!

Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters are the first ones to tell you that Mele Kalikimaka means “Merry Christmas” in Hawaiian. And if you’ve ever been to Hawaii during Christmas, you know there’s nothing like a sunset luau on the sand to get you in the holiday spirit. For a less Christmas-specific greeting in Hawaiian, try Hauʻoli lā hoʻomaha (“Happy Holidays”)!

Hebrew: חג שמח (Chag Sameach!)

Because Christmas is traditionally a Christian holiday, you won’t hear much about it in Hebrew. Hebrew speakers are more apt to celebrate Hanukkah, where the greeting Chag Sameach (“Happy Holiday”) brings joy and cheer to celebrants. This Hebrew greeting isn’t exclusive to Hanukkah, though, so feel free to use it when wishing someone well on any happy winter holiday.

Hindi: क्रिसमस की बधाई (Krisamas Kee Badhaee!)

Almost half a million people in the world speak Hindi, including people living in India, where Hindi is one of the official languages. Also living in India are 28 million Christians, many of whom celebrate Christmas and speak a Hindi dialect. During December, you may hear greetings of Krisamas Kee Badhaee in Indian neighborhoods, or Chhuttiyon kee shubhakaamanaen (“Happy Holidays”) from those who don’t celebrate the holiday.

Irish: Nollaig Shona!

Is it even Christmas if you haven’t taken a dip in the Irish Sea? In Ireland, it isn’t. Irish Christmasgoers greet each other with calls of Nollaig Shona (or Ablythe Yuletide in Alson-Scots) as soon as the season begins on January 6 with “Women’s Christmas.” Enjoy Christmas markets, holiday feasts, and of course, a frigid (yet renewing!) Christmas swim.

Italian: Buon Natale!

For extravagant nativity scenes and a feast you’ll never forget, spend Christmas in Italy. Say “Merry Christmas” in Italian with the seasonal greeting Buon Natale (or Buone feste! to say “Happy Holidays!”) and partake in Italian Christmas traditions, including 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 more of a secular celebration, complete with American-style fried chicken as a Christmas Eve delicacy. You’ll hear people calling “Merry Christmas” in Japanese (Merī kurisumasu, or Yoi kyūka o for more general holiday greetings), taste strawberry-infused kurisumasu keki (Christmas cake), and exchange gifts with your significant other over a candlelit dinner.

Korean: 메리 크리스마스 (Meli keuliseumaseu)

Because Christianity is one of the most popular religions in Korea, Christmas is a national holiday there. For those who aren’t Christian, it’s a fun, commercial holiday like Valentine’s Day, where couples exchange gifts and express their love. You can say Meli keuliseumaseu to Korean Christmas celebrants, or Jeulgeoun hyuil bonaeseyo (“Happy Holidays”) if you’re not sure whether they celebrate.

Latin: Felix Nativitas!

Who says Latin is a dead language? It’s alive and well in modern Romance languages, and you can keep it going with a Latin Christmas greeting: Felix Nativitas! It harkens back to the very first Christmas celebrations in the Roman Empire under Constantine. You can also say Felix Dies Festos (“Happy Holidays”) to cover the rest of the winter holidays in Latin.

Polish: Wesołych Świąt!

If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a Polish Christmas dinner, expect to see an empty seat for the niespodziewany gość (unexpected guest). This Polish tradition and accompanying feast is just one way to say “Merry Christmas” in Polish, along with the greeting Wesołych Świąt! You can also say Wszystkiego najlepszego (“Happy Holidays”) if someone doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

Portuguese: Feliz Natal!

Your Portuguese Christmas experience may vary, depending on the country where you’re celebrating. A Christmas in Portuguese-speaking Brazil takes place during the summer, where the weather is warm enough to welcome Santa on the beach. Winter in Portugal is a bit colder, bringing celebrants indoors to enjoy Cabrito Assado (roasted lamb). To say “Merry Christmas” in Portuguese, use the greeting ​​Feliz Natal, or the more secular Boas Festas (“Happy Holidays”). 

Russian: С Рождеством (S Rozhdestvom!)

Christmas is considered a high holiday in the Russian Orthodox Church. It takes place on December 25 on the Julian calendar, which is January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Mainly a religious holiday, Christmas in Russia includes a family feast and all-night vigil before church services the next morning. S Rozhdestvom means “Merry Christmas” in Russian—or you can say Schastlivy prazdnikov (“Happy Holidays”) if the person you’re speaking to doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

Spanish: ¡Feliz Navidad!

The classic Christmas carol “Feliz Navidad” confirms that it means “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. And that’s true if you’re celebrating Christmas in Mexico or another Spanish-speaking country. 

But in Spain, the Christmas greeting depends on your region. While staying in Catalonia, you would say Bon Nadal, while visitors to Galicia would say Bo Nadal. Basque speakers greet each other in the holiday season by saying Eguberri on!

Swahili: Krismasi Njema!

Many African cultures celebrate Christmas in different ways. Parades, feasts, donations, and religious services are just a few African Christmas traditions. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, celebrants perform Bible plays to coincide with the first few minutes of Christmas day. Say “Merry Christmas” in Swahili with the phrase Krismasi Njema or Likizo Njema (“Happy Holidays”).

Swedish: God Jul!

Several of your favorite yuletide traditions come from Scandinavian countries like Sweden—including the word “yuletide!” The Swedish Christmas greeting, God Jul, sounds like the English “Good yule” (which makes sense, considering they’re both Germanic languages). 

Tagalog: Maligayang Pasko!

If you love putting up your Christmas decorations early, consider spending the holidays in the Philippines, where Christmas decor goes up around September or October. Filipino homes also feature the parol, a paper lantern that symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. Greet your Filipino friends with the Tagalog phrase Maligayang Pasko, or opt for a more secular greeting like Maligayang bakasyon (“Happy Holidays”)!

Turkish: Mutlu Noeller!

Turkey (the Republic of Türkiye) has a Muslim majority in its population, so Christmas is not commonly celebrated. Most of the holiday focus is on the New Year celebration, and you’ll definitely see those festivities in public! Wish those who celebrate a “Merry Christmas” in Turkish by saying Mutlu Noeller, or try saying Mutlu tatiller to wish someone a happy holiday season.

Vietnamese: Giáng sinh vui vẻ!

Rooted in its history of French colonialism, Christmas in Vietnam includes many French traditions. From holiday parades to Le Réveillon de Noël (Christmas Eve dinner), Christmas is a secular holiday that links Vietnam to the Western World. To say “Merry Christmas” in Vietnamese, say Giáng sinh vui vẻ! You can also greet people with the phrase Ngày nghỉ vui vẻ (“Happy Holidays”).

Celebrating Christmas all over the world

Whether you’re expecting Santa Claus, Agios Vasilis, or Sinterklaas during the Christmas season, you’ll find lots of holiday fun in nearly every country. Start planning your next international trip with a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone, which helps you learn all languages in our catalog.