Life Hackery

Christmas is a universal holiday, which means it is celebrated by Christians, and some non-Christians, all over the world. Almost everyone, regardless of race or culture, views the occasion as a time to be merry and to be extra-nice. The funny thing is, for a global celebration, it is actually hampered by the language barrier. You can say Merry Christmas to a person from a different land and there is a chance that he or she might not comprehend your greeting.

Christmas, given that it is the symbolical time when Jesus Christ was born, is one of the most important occasions in the Christian calendar. It’s official greeting, “Merry Christmas!,” can be stated in many different languages, even non-Christian countries have their own ways of saying the greeting. The truth is, nearly every language in the world has a translation. Let’s make the occasion even more universal by breaking that language barrier. Here are 57 different ways you can say Merry Christmas.

North America

• USA and Canada - The “Land of the Free” and the “Land of the Maple Leaf” share their “Merry Christmas” with the rest of the English-speaking nations and communities all over the world.
• Hawaii - Hawaii may not really be a country, but it has its own distinct Christmas greeting, which is “Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!”



• Navajo - American Indians welcome the Christmas spirit by saying “Merry Keshmish!”
• Mexico and the other American Spanish-speaking countries - Since these countries were colonized by Spain for a long time, their primary language is Spanish rather than English. So they greet with a warm “Feliz Navidad” instead of a “Merry Christmas.”

South America

• Brazil - From the grand carnivals of Brazil, people celebrate Christmas with a “Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo.”
• Argentina - Argentine’s meet the 25th of December by saying “Felices Pasquas Y Felices ano Nuevo.”
• Chile - Just like the most part of Latin America, they say “Feliz Navidad.”

Europe

• United Kingdom - The English language originated from this country so naturally they say “Merry Christmas!”
• Wales - The Welsh have their own Christmas greeting - “Nadolig Llawen!”
• France - The French language makes words sound as smooth as silk. Take the case of their Christmas greeting, “Joyeux Noel!” It’s so exquisite. (How about learning counting in French? see how to count in French)



• Italy - Italians are known for their luxury, which is typified in their majestic sounding Christmas greeting - “Buone Feste Natalizie!”
• Spain - Spain, the majestic conqueror of old; their Christmas greeting, “Feliz Navidad,” is almost as popular as the English “Merry Christmas!”
• Germany - Such firmness and splendor can be heard in the way Germans say “Froehliche Weihnachten und ein glueckliches Neues Jahr!”
• Pennsylvania (German) - German mixed with local culture brings out this jolly greeting - “En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!”
• Portugal - A simple greeting is all the Portuguese need to celebrate Christmas. It states “Boas Festas.”
• Hungary - Hungarians meet Santa with a little “Kellemes kara’csonyi u”nnepeket e’s boldog u’j e’vet” for some pleasantries.
• Sweden - The Swedes are a race with pride and a fine Christmas greeting, which is “God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar!”



• Iceland - “Gle[eth]ileg jol gott og fars!,” is a warm greeting from a cool country.
• Serbia - “Hristos se rodi” is a good starter for the Christmas cheer.
• Lithuania - Embrace the Yuletide season the Lithuanian way. “Linksmu Kaledu Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik!”
• Latvia - Sprinkle some Latvian flavor to Christmas by saying “Prieci’gus Ziemsve’tkus un Laimi’gu Jauno Gadu!”
• Ireland - The Irish, being a fun loving populace, knows how to celebrate Christmas the right way. They start it with a simple “Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat” then end things with a bang and a barrel of laughs.
• Bulgaria - If you meet a Bulgarian, just say “Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo!” He or she will then make you feel the warmth of Christmas.
• Norway - There is no excuse for anyone to not greet Norwegians during Christmas. They actually have two versions of the greeting - “God Jul” and “Gledelig Jul.”
• Greece - A land of beauty and culture normally has an elegant Christmas greeting. Such is the case with Greece and its version of “Merry Christmas,” which is “Kala Christouyenna!”



• Slovakia - In Slovakia, a Christmas celebration is not complete without saying “Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok!”
• Poland - Endear the Polish by greeting them “Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie!”
• Malta - Let your tongue play a little when you say “LL Milied Lt-tajjeb!” with glee.
• Finland - “Goal!” is prevalent in Finnish ice hockey as “Hauskaa joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!” is a staple for Finnish Christmas celebrations.
• Yugoslavia - Join the Christmas merriment in Yugoslavia. Tell the people “Cestitamo Bozic!” and they will greet you “Merry Christmas!”
• Gaelic - The Gaels sound eloquent with their Christmas greeting, which goes “Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!”
• Breton - Breton families toss to one another a “Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat” greeting every Christmas.

Asia

• China - There may be five million people in China, but there are only a few ways to say “Merry Christmas!” - “Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan (Mandarin),” and “Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun (Cantonese).
• Japan - From the Land of the Rising Sun, people say “Shinnen omedeto. Merii Kurisumasu” every Christmas.
• Korea - Koreans celebrate Christmas with a wide grin and a “Sung Tan Chuk Ha!”
• Thailand - Buddhism may be the predominant faith in Thailand, but they still acknowledge Christmas as a celebration. In place of “Merry Christmas!,” Thais say “Sawadee Pee Mai!”
• Philippines - When Filipinos are not in the mood to speak in English, “Merry Christmas!” becomes a meek and warm “Maligayang Pasko!”



• Malaysia - Malaysians are known to say “Selamat Hari Natal” to locals and tourists every Christmas.
• Indonesia - You will know it’s Christmas in Indonesia when you start hearing people say “Selamat Hari Natal!”
• India - Indians, despite of their strong attachment to Hinduism, acknowledge Christmas by saying “Baradin ki shubh kamnaaye!”
• Sri Lanka - Just like India, Sri Lankans are strong Hindu believers. Though, that does not stop them from acknowledging a significant event like Christmas. Their official Christmas greeting is “Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa!”
• Sri Lanka (Tamil) - The Tamils are passionate about their beliefs, including how they revere other faiths like Christianity. They acknowledge Christmas with this greeting “Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal!”
• Russia - A powerful nation embraces Christmas with an equally powerful greeting - “Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom!”
• Turkey - Christmas is recognized in Turkey, since Jesus is a known prophet in Islam. The nation’s official greeting is “Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun!”
• Ukraine - The Christmas season is celebrated with greetings of “Srozhdestvom Kristovym” or “Zrizdvom hrystovym” in Ukraine.
• Vietnam - Through the lavish Christmas celebrations, you’ll hear people say “Chuc Mung Giang Sinh” to each other.



• Papua New Guinea - The folks in Papua New Guinea welcome late December with a joyous “Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu!”
• Romania - Sometimes the shortest statements mean pretty significant things. In the case of Romania, their Christmas greeting comes as a short but festive “Craciun Fericit.”
• Iraq - Iraqis don’t say “Merry Christmas,” they instead state ” Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah.”
• Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia is a kingdom, which means lavish celebrations are held there. If you hear someone say “Milad Majid,” you’re probably attending a Christmas feast.
• Samoa - Samoans are peace loving people. Naturally, their Christmas greeting, which is “La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou,” has a serene feel to it.

Africa

• Afrikaander - The significance of Christmas has reached some of Africa’s main tribes. Afrikaanders greet the Christian holiday “Een Plesierige Kerfees!”
• Eritrean Tribe - If a tribesman greets you “Rehus-Beal-Ledeats,” tell him “Merry Christmas to you too.”



• Afrikaans - This African group greets other folks by saying “Geseënde Kersfees.”
• Ethiopia - “Melkin Yelidet Beaal” is the way Ethiopians pay tribute to a flying man wearing a red coat on a sleigh.

Other Languages

• Latin - Latin is a language used during the ancient times. Remarkably, people during that era were already celebrating Christmas. They greeted each other “Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!” every 25th of December.
• Hebrew - “Mo’adim Lesimkha. Chena tova” is “Merry Christmas’” in Hebrew.

A sincere Christmas greeting certainly feels good, but if you hear it stated in your native language, its impact practically doubles. Not only does it highlight the wondrous Christmas cheer, but it also touches on the glory of national pride. As you can see, cliche as it may sound, a “Merry Christmas!” goes a long long way. If you enjoy reading this article, might as well read how to make Christmas idea starters for tips and inspiration.