Different Ways to Say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” in Other Languages

Holidays of December around the world

December is “the most wonderful time of the year,” as Andy Williams sings. Various festivals provide joy and laughter during this period. Some nations celebrate Christmas with decorated trees and gifts, and others observe Hanukkah with candle lighting, Kwanzaa with meaningful traditions, or Diwali with vibrant festivals. Each celebration adds its own beauty to this wonderful time of year.

No matter where you are or what holiday you celebrate, December is a month for being kind, making friends, and spreading joy. People send their best wishes and spread joy at this time. It’s fun and kind to show respect for other people’s traditions by learning how to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” in more than one language.

Whether you’re traveling, sending cards, or just greeting friends online, knowing how to share holiday wishes in various languages can make someone’s day brighter. It’s a small gesture that reminds us all of the joy and unity that this festive season brings.

“Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” in different languages

Knowing how to say “Merry Christmas” in other languages is a fantastic way to spread seasonal cheer. Here are some practical and creative ways to wish happy holidays in many languages to connect with people around the globe:

• Holiday cards: Sending greeting cards is a timeless tradition during the festival season. If you have friends in Spain, adding a festive phrase like “Feliz Navidad” or “Joyeux Noël” (if your friends are French) can make your card more personal. It’s especially thoughtful for friends, family, or colleagues who speak those languages.
• Business greetings: For companies with international clients, sending emails or messages wishing them happy holidays in their native languages can make your greetings more inclusive and professional. It’s an easy way to toughen relationships.
• Traveling abroad: If you’re traveling during the holidays, learning “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” in their language can help you connect with locals and immerse yourself in their culture.

No matter how you use these words, they’re sure to make your wishes more heartfelt and memorable.

Do you want to learn languages and say more than “Merry Christmas”? Subscribe to LiveXP and learn any language in the most effective way!

Phrases and words to use to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in other languages

Some interesting details about wishing happy holidays in other languages

• Not every language has a direct translation of “Merry Christmas.” For example, in Japan, where Christmas is more of a cultural celebration than a religious holiday, people say “Merii Kurisumasu,” which is a phonetic adaptation of the English phrase. Similarly, in Chinese, the phrase “圣诞快乐” (Shèngdàn Kuàilè) literally means “Happy Holy Birth.”
• Cultural variety in wishing a Merry Christmas: In some countries, holiday greetings include wishes for the New Year. For example, in German, people often say “Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr” (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year). In Russian, “С Рождеством и Новым Годом” (S Rozhdestvom i Novym Godom) combines Christmas and New Year’s wishes into one.
• “Feliz Navidad” is becoming more popular: Thanks to the famous song by José Feliciano, “Feliz Navidad” is one of the most widely recognized Christmas greetings worldwide, even among non-Spanish speakers.
• “Happy Holidays” is used instead of “Merry Christmas.” As the world is diverse, “Happy Holidays” has become a go-to phrase in many places, especially in multicultural societies. It contains other holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s.

Learn and use happy festival wishes

If you’re not a polyglot, memorizing these words and phrases can be a bit tough (if you challenge yourself to learn them, of course). However, the feature of LiveXP called Word Trainer can help you impress your friends and memorize new vocabulary effectively. With a spaced repetition method, you can learn new words much faster by practicing them with specific time intervals. This feature in the LiveXP app is free and can be used from any place and at any time. And if you want to consolidate your knowledge, you can practice any language with a tutor in private lessons online on LiveXP.