man in santa claus costume

Seasons Greetings: How to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in 20 global languages

More than 2 billion people celebrate Christmas, making it one of the biggest holidays in the world. 

While traditions may differ from culture to culture, wishing someone a Merry Christmas is something that you can easily communicate across all languages.

So, if you’re wanting to impress your friends or family this Christmas, or you’re even lucky enough to be spending Christmas abroad, the team at Preply have revealed how to say Merry Christmas in 20 languages from around the world.

LanguageTranslationHow to pronounce
SpanishFeliz NavidadFeliz Navidad
FrenchJoyeux NoëlJoyeux Noël
GermanFrohe WeihnachtenFrohe Weihnachten
ItalianBuon NataleBuon Natale
SwedishGod julGod jul
NorwegianGod julGod jul
Chinese 聖誕快樂Shèngdàn jié kuàilè
JapaneseメリークリスマスMerīkurisumasu
Korean메리 크리스마스meli keuliseumaseu
Croatiansretan Božićsretan Božić
GreekΧαρούμενα ΧριστούγενναKalá Christoúgenna
PolishWesołych Świąt!Wesołych Świąt!
PortugueseFeliz NatalFeliz Natal
RomanianCrăciun fericitCrăciun fericit
RussianСчастливого Рождества!Schastlivogo Rozhdestva!
Ukrainianщасливого РіздваShchaslyvoho Rizdva
FinnishHauskaa jouluaHauskaa joulua
DanishGlædelig JulGlædelig Jul
DutchVrolijk KerstfeestVrolijk Kerstfeest
CzechVeselé VánoceVeselé Vánoce

Credit: Preply

Christmas Facts from Around the World:

  • In France, Father Christmas is called Père Noël. In the eastern region of France, he is accompanied by Le Pere Fouettard, a man dressed in black.
  • In Spain, many people go to Midnight Mass or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’ (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is said to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.
  • Christmas Eve is the main day when Germans exchange presents with their families.
  • In Italy, On Christmas Eve it’s common for red meat to be excluded from any food prepared and eaten. This is often exchanged for a light seafood meal. 
  • In Mexico, presents might also be brought by ‘El Niñito Dios’ (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus)
  • A traditional Norwegian Christmas Tree decoration are paper baskets called ‘Julekurver’ which are made in the shape of a heart.
  • In New Zealand and Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays. Many people like to spend time at the beach for the holiday. 

Leave a Reply