How to Say Happy New Year in German: Phrases, Greetings & Vocabulary

The New Year is a time for fresh starts and festive greetings. In German, there are several common ways to say “Happy New Year,” each with its own nuance. The most straightforward is “Frohes neues Jahr!” (frohs NOY-es yah-r) – literally “Joyous New Year” – which Germans use from midnight on New Year’s Eve (Silvester) and well into January. Below, we cover the key German New Year phrases with translations, pronunciation tips, and cultural context. Whether you need formal or casual greetings, toasts, or vocabulary like Silvester, Feuerwerk, and Vorsätze, this guide has you covered.

How do you say "Happy New Year" in German

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Formal and Informal New Year Greetings

Germans use different greetings depending on formality and timing. Here are the most common phrases:

• Frohes neues Jahr! (frohs NOY-es yah-r) – “Happy New Year!” This is the go-to wish for any occasion, formal or informal. You can say it at midnight, on January 1st, or when greeting someone in early January.

• Ein glückliches neues Jahr! (ayn glueck-lich-es noy-es yah-r) – “A happy (lucky) new year!” Slightly more formal or heartfelt, this variant adds glücklich (fortunate) to wish someone luck in the year ahead.

• Alles Gute im neuen Jahr! (AH-les GOO-te im NOY-en yah-r) – “All the best in the new year!” A friendly, all-purpose wish for success and well-being.

• Gesundes neues Jahr! (guh-ZOON-des noy-es yah-r) – “Healthy new year!” A popular variant emphasising health, as Germans often toast to health above all.

These phrases are polite and suit nearly any relationship – from business colleagues to acquaintances. For example, a formal exchange might be:

A: “Frohes neues Jahr, Frau Müller!” (Happy New Year, Ms. Müller!) B: “Vielen Dank, Herr Meier. Ich wünsche Ihnen auch ein gesundes neues Jahr.” (Thank you, Mr. Meier. I wish you a healthy new year too.)

In more casual settings among friends or family, shorter and playful greetings are common:

• Frohes Neues! (frohs NOY-es) – “Happy New One!” A clipped form of “Frohes neues Jahr” used informally, often in the days before midnight.

• Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr! (GOO-ten roosh ins NOY-e yah-r) – “Have a good slide into the new year!” Said before midnight to wish someone a smooth start. It literally means “good slide” and comes from the Yiddish “a gut Rosch” (a good beginning). (“Rutsch nicht aus!” – “don’t slip!” – is a playful reminder about icy winter streets.)

• Prosit Neujahr! (PROS-it noy-yahr) – “Cheers to the New Year!” A traditional toast at the stroke of midnight. Prosit comes from Latin “may it be good,” and you often say this while clinking glasses of Sekt or champagne.

• Gutes Neues! (GOO-tes noy-es) – A very informal short form of “Frohes Neues”, used casually among young people or close friends.

Pronunciation Tip: “Frohes” sounds like FROH-ess, “neues” like NOY-ess, and “Jahr” like YAHR (similar to “yard” without the “d”). In “Guten Rutsch”, u is like “oo” in “good,” and sch is like “sh” in “shoe.”

When and How to Use These Greetings

Before Midnight: In the days leading up to Dec 31, people wish friends “Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!” as a fun way of saying “see you next year.” It’s akin to saying “enjoy the New Year’s countdown”. You do not say “Happy Silvester,” because Germans don’t greet people on the evening itself – only after the new year begins.

At Midnight: When the clock strikes twelve, everyone shouts “Frohes neues Jahr!” and raises a toast with “Prosit Neujahr!”. Fireworks (Feuerwerk) light up the sky as people kiss (der Mitternachtskuss) and hug. In Switzerland or Austria, you might also hear local variations like “Es guets Neus” (Swiss) or “Schens Neichs Joa” (Austrian dialect).

New Year’s Day and After: On Jan 1 (der Neujahrstag), Germans rest, visit family, or go for walks. When meeting someone for the first time in the new year (at home, work, or in person), the standard greeting is still “Frohes neues Jahr!” or “Ein gutes neues Jahr!” Some people also say “Alles Gute im neuen Jahr!”. It’s common to exchange cards or messages with these phrases. For example, a colleague might arrive at the office on Jan 2 and say, “Frohes neues Jahr, Sarah – ich hoffe, Sie hatten schöne Feiertage!” (Happy New Year, Sarah – I hope you had a nice holiday).

Common Responses

When someone wishes you a happy New Year, you can respond like this:

• “Danke, gleichfalls!” (dahn-keh, glykh-FAHLSS) – “Thanks, likewise!” A quick way to return the wish.

• “Danke, dir auch!” – (informal “you” version) “Thanks, you too!”

• “Vielen Dank! Das wünsche ich Ihnen auch.” – “Thank you very much! I wish you the same.” (formal)

• “Danke, auch dir einen guten Rutsch!” – “Thanks, you have a good slide too!” (casual, replying to Guten Rutsch).

For example:

A: “Frohes neues Jahr!” B: “Danke, gleichfalls!”

A: “Ich wünsche dir einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!” B: “Danke! Dir auch einen guten Rutsch!”

A: “Frohes neues Jahr, Frau Müller!” B: “Vielen Dank, Herr Meier. Das wünsche ich Ihnen auch.”

Using these responses shows politeness and warmth.

New Year Vocabulary in German

Learning key vocabulary helps you chat about New Year celebrations. Here are some useful German words for the season:

• Silvester – New Year’s Eve (Dec 31). (Note: You don’t say “Happy Silvester,” only Frohes neues Jahr.)

• Neujahrstag – New Year’s Day (Jan 1).

• das Feuerwerk – fireworks. (Germans set off lots of Böller – firecrackers – at midnight.)

• die Feier – celebration or party.

• der Sekt – sparkling wine or champagne (for the midnight toast.

• das Raclette – a Swiss-style melting-cheese meal, often enjoyed on Silvester.

• die Neujahrsvorsätze – New Year’s resolutions. E.g., “Meine Vorsätze sind gesund essen und mehr Sport.”

• Glücksbringer – good luck charm. Common gifts are Glücksschweinchen (little lucky pigs) or four-leaf clover trinkets.

• der Mitternachtskuss – midnight kiss (traditionally given at 12:00)olesentuition.co.uk.

These words often appear in holiday conversations. For example: “Wir schauen um Mitternacht das Feuerwerk an und stoßen mit Sekt an.” (We watch the fireworks at midnight and toast with sparkling wine.)

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Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, online or in London, our native tutors will guide you through real-life vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (all year round, not just at New Year!). Our courses cover everything from basic greetings to complex conversation. Start the New Year by boosting your German skills – Frohes Lernen! (Happy learning!).

With these greetings and tips, you’re ready to celebrate Neujahr like a native speaker. Frohes neues Jahr! (Happy New Year!) 🎉

Conclusion

New Year’s in German-speaking countries is filled with rich traditions, festive celebrations, and meaningful exchanges of well-wishes. Whether you’re attending a Silvesterparty, enjoying Raclette with family, or simply exchanging a heartfelt “Frohes neues Jahr,” this guide has equipped you with the essential phrases and cultural insights to make the most of your celebrations. With these dialogues and vocabulary, you’ll be well-prepared to engage in conversations and participate in the customs that make New Year’s so special in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

So, to everyone reading this, all the best for the New Year (alles Gute für das neue Jahr).