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Whether you’re celebrating at home or spending the season abroad, it can be fun to learn how to say “Happy Holidays” in other languages. Maybe you’re studying abroad in Germany (a country famous for its charming Christmas markets!) and want to greet locals in their native language, or you’re planning on interning abroad in South Korea next semester and want to impress your family. No matter the reason, here are 18 ways to spread holiday cheer in languages from around the world.
Discover how to say “Happy Holidays” in 18 different languages!
1. Afrikaans
Geseënde vakansies
(geh-see-en-duh vuh-kahn-sees)
2. Chinese (Mandarin)
节日快乐 / Jiérì kuàilè
(jee-eh ruh kwai luh)
3. Croatian
Sretni blagdani
(sret-nee blahg-dah-nee)
4. Czech
Šťastné svátky
(shtyast-neh svaht-kee)
5. Danish
Glade feriedage
(glah-thuh feh-ree-uh-day-uh)
6. French
Joyeuses fêtes
(zhwa-yeuz fet)
7. German
Schöne ferien
(shuh-neh feh-reen)
8. Italian
Buone feste
(bwoh-neh fest-eh)
9. Japanese
楽しい休暇をお過ごしください / Tanoshī kyūka o o sugoshi kudasai
(tah-no-shee kyoo-kah oh oo-soh-goh-shee koo-dah-sigh)
10. Korean
즐거운 휴일 보내세요 / Jeulgeoun hyuil bonaeseyo
(juhl-guh-oon hyoo-il boh-neh-seh-yoh)
11. Polish
Wesołych świąt
(Veh-soh-wikh shfyont)
12. Portuguese
Boas festas
(boh-ahs fest-ahs)
13. Spanish
Felices fiestas
(feh-lee-sehs fee-es-tas)
14. Swedish
Trevlig helg
(trev-leeg helg)
15. Swahili
Likizo njema
(lee-kee-zoh n-jeh-mah)
16. Thai
สุขสันต์วันหยุด / S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn h̄yud
(sook-san wan yood)
17. Turkish
Mutlu tatiller
(moot-loo tah-teel-lehsh)
18. Ukrainian
щасливих свят (shchaslyvykh svyat)
(sh-chahs-lee-vikh svee-yat)
Bring new languages into your holiday traditions with these international holiday greetings!
If you’re planning to study or intern abroad, try incorporating a little of your host country’s language into your conversation with family and friends this holiday season. It’s a fun way to practice the language, and it always makes an impression. If you’re already abroad, show the locals you care by wishing them a happy holiday in their own language—they’ll likely appreciate your effort, regardless of your fluency.
Whether you’re celebrating the winter holiday season at home or abroad, we wish you a happy holiday from AIFS Abroad.
