A new year often comes with new beginnings and resolutions, like learning another language. So why not kick off your journey to learn German by learning to say "Happy New Year" in the language? Just like wishing someone Merry Christmas in German, there are several ways to say "Happy New Year" in the language. In this post, I explain the different ways of how to wish someone all the best in the New Year.
1. Saying "Happy New Year" in German
There are a few different ways to say "Happy New Year" in German, depending on the context and formality of the situation.
Formally:
Frohes neues Jahr!
(Happy New Year!)
This is a neutral, yet polite way to wish someone a Happy New Year and is suitable for most situations.
Informally:
Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
(Have a good slide into the new year!)
This phrase is commonly used in a more casual setting, typically before the New Year actually begins.
Very Informally:
Prosit Neujahr!
(Cheers to the New Year!)
This is typically used during a toast and is a festive way to welcome the New Year.
The most common way to wish someone Happy New Year in German is to say
"Frohes neues Jahr!" (Joyous/Happy New Year!)
This phrase is used both on New Year's Eve ("Silvester" in German) and well into January of the New Year. The grammatical reason why it is "frohes neues Jahr" is because "ich wünsche" (I wish) is implied, which means that the "Happy Near Year" becomes the accusative case in German. And since "Jahr" is neuter and no article is used, the adjective ending has to reflect the gender of year. Its slightly more casual and shorter way of putting it is
"Frohes Neues!" (Happy New One!)
Just as common a phrase but used in the days before New Year's eve is
"Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr" (All the best for the New Year!)
Its literal translation is interesting, though, for it literally translates as "good slide into the new year". It is used to wish someone a smooth start into the New Year rather than a tongue-in-cheek warning that you should be careful not to fall on ice and slide into it. Given the often icy weather conditions in German-speaking countries around that time of year, this would obviously make sense. However, the phrase actually derives from the Yiddish phrase “a git Rosch” (ראש השנה טוב), which means “a good beginning.”
2. Common New Year’s Eve Phrases and Dialogues
New Year’s Eve, or Silvester in German, is celebrated with various customs, including fireworks, parties, and toasts. Below are dialogues and phrases you can use to engage in conversation during this festive time.
Dialogue 1: Greeting Friends on New Year’s Eve
You: Hallo! Hast du schon Pläne für Silvester?**(Hi! Do you have plans for New Year's Eve yet?)_
Friend: Ja, ich gehe zu einer Party bei einem Freund. Und du?**(Yes, I'm going to a party at a friend's place. And you?)
You: Ich werde mit meiner Familie zu Hause feiern. Wir schauen uns die Feuerwerke an und machen Raclette.**(I'll be celebrating at home with my family. We’ll watch the fireworks and have raclette.)
Friend: Das klingt gemütlich. Ich wünsche dir einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!**(That sounds cozy. I wish you a great slide into the new year!)
You: Danke, dir auch einen guten Rutsch!**(Thanks, you too, have a great slide!)
Dialogue 2: Wishing Colleagues a Happy New Year
You: Frohes neues Jahr, Frau Müller! Ich hoffe, Sie hatten schöne Feiertage.**(Happy New Year, Ms. Müller! I hope you had a great holiday season.)
Colleague: Frohes neues Jahr, Herr Meier! Ja, es war sehr entspannend. Und bei Ihnen?**(Happy New Year, Mr. Meier! Yes, it was very relaxing. And you?)
You: Danke, ich hatte auch eine schöne Zeit. Ich wünsche Ihnen ein erfolgreiches und gesundes neues Jahr.**(Thanks, I had a nice time too. I wish you a successful and healthy new year.)
Colleague: Vielen Dank! Das wünsche ich Ihnen auch.**(Thank you! I wish you the same.)
Dialogue 3: Making New Year’s Resolutions
Friend: Hast du schon Vorsätze für das neue Jahr?**(Have you made any New Year's resolutions yet?)
You: Ja, ich möchte mehr Sport treiben und gesünder essen. Wie sieht es bei dir aus?**(Yes, I want to exercise more and eat healthier. How about you?)
Friend: Ich möchte mehr lesen und weniger Zeit am Handy verbringen.**(I want to read more and spend less time on my phone.)
You: Das klingt gut. Viel Erfolg dabei!**(That sounds good. Good luck with that!)
Friend: Danke! Ich hoffe, wir schaffen unsere Vorsätze.**(Thanks! I hope we manage to stick to our resolutions.)
3. Additional Useful Vocabulary and Phrases for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Below is a list of additional vocabulary and phrases that can be useful during New Year’s celebrations:
Das Feuerwerk – Fireworks
Die Silvesterparty – New Year's Eve party
Der Sekt – Sparkling wine (often used for toasts)
Der Countdown – Countdown
Das Bleigießen – A traditional New Year's Eve activity where molten lead is dropped into cold water to predict the future
Das Raclette – A popular dish for New Year’s Eve, where cheese is melted and served with various sides
Die Neujahrsvorsätze – New Year's resolutions
Das Neujahrsessen – New Year's Day meal
Das Glücksschweinchen – A symbol of good luck, often given as a small gift for the New Year
Der Glücksbringer – Good luck charm
Das Böllern – Setting off fireworks
Der Sektkorken – The cork from the sparkling wine, often kept as a good luck charm
Der Mitternachtskuss – The kiss at midnight
4. New Year’s Traditions in German-Speaking Countries
Understanding some of the customs associated with New Year’s celebrations in German-speaking countries can enrich your experience and provide context for the phrases you use.
Bleigießen
One of the most unique New Year’s Eve traditions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is Bleigießen. This practice involves melting a small piece of lead or wax over a flame and then pouring it into cold water. The shape it forms is interpreted as a prediction for the coming year. This tradition is not as widely practiced as it once was, but it remains a fascinating cultural element.
Dialogue: Talking About Bleigießen
You: Hast du schon mal Bleigießen gemacht?**(Have you ever done lead pouring?)
Friend: Ja, letztes Jahr habe ich es ausprobiert. Meine Figur sah aus wie ein Herz, was Liebe bedeuten soll.**(Yes, I tried it last year. My shape looked like a heart, which is supposed to mean love.)
You: Das klingt interessant! Vielleicht probiere ich es dieses Jahr auch mal.**(That sounds interesting! Maybe I'll try it this year too.)
New Year’s Eve Meal: Raclette and Fondue
In many German-speaking households, a traditional New Year's Eve meal includes Raclette or Fondue. Both dishes are interactive and sociable, as they involve sharing food around a communal pot or grill.
Dialogue: Discussing New Year’s Eve Dinner Plans
You: Was plant ihr für das Silvesteressen?**(What are you planning for the New Year's Eve dinner?)
Friend: Wir machen Raclette mit verschiedenen Käsesorten und Beilagen. Es ist immer ein großer Spaß.**(We’re having raclette with different types of cheese and sides. It's always a lot of fun.)
You: Das klingt lecker! Wir machen Fondue. Es ist so gemütlich, wenn alle zusammen am Tisch sitzen.**(That sounds delicious! We're doing fondue. It's so cozy when everyone sits together at the table.)
Friend: Ja, das liebe ich auch an Silvester. Es geht nicht nur um das Essen, sondern um das Zusammensein.**(Yes, that's what I love about New Year's Eve too. It's not just about the food, but about being together.)
5. The First of January: Neujahrstag
New Year's Day, or Neujahrstag, is a public holiday in German-speaking countries. It’s a day for relaxation, reflecting on the past year, and looking forward to the future.
Dialogue: Discussing Plans for New Year’s Day
You: Was hast du am Neujahrstag vor?**(What are your plans for New Year's Day?)
Friend: Wir machen einen ruhigen Tag zu Hause, vielleicht einen Spaziergang, um das neue Jahr zu begrüßen.**(We’re having a quiet day at home, maybe going for a walk to welcome the new year.)
You: Das klingt erholsam. Ich plane, ein gutes Buch zu lesen und die Reste vom Silvesteressen zu genießen.**(That sounds relaxing. I'm planning to read a good book and enjoy the leftovers from New Year's Eve.)
Friend: Perfekt, so fängt das Jahr gut an.**(Perfect, that's a great way to start the 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 SwitzerlandTo extend the blog post on "How to Say Happy New Year in German" by 1,000 words, I'll add short dialogues using useful phrases related to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and include additional vocabulary that can help you navigate the celebrations in a German-speaking environment. Here's the extended version:
So, to everyone reading this, all the best for the New Year (alles Gute für das neue Jahr).
On our German language blog "Auf Deutsch, bitte!", you'll find posts about many other topics in German grammar, ranging from adjective endings, the difference between "in der Nähe von" and neben, sein vs. ihr, mögen vs. gern vs. gefallen, "denn" vs. "dann", "brauchen" vs. "müssen", but you will also learn phrases such as how to say "Merry Christmas" in German, so check out our posts.
