If you plan to spend the Winter holidays in Romania, you might want to impress your friends or locals with some knowledge of the Romanian language (and no, swear words don’t count!).
Today, I’m here to help you learn how to say Merry Christmas in Romanian, wish someone a Happy New Year, and explore other winter-themed words and greetings.
In a previous article, I taught you how to say I love you in Romanian, how to greet someone in Romanian, and how to say Happy Easter in Romanian.
So today, let’s dive into winter greetings and holiday-related phrases in Romanian!
How to say “Merry Christmas” in Romanian
In Romanian, you say “Merry Christmas” as “Crăciun Fericit!”
Don’t be intimidated by the unique letters! It’s easier to pronounce than you might think.
While it may be a bit tricky for many foreigners, don’t stress about perfect pronunciation. Romanians will appreciate your effort and will understand you.
As for pronunciation, it sounds like “crah-choon feh-re-cheet.” Yes, you can do it!
If someone wishes you “Crăciun Fericit” and you want to reply with “Merry Christmas to you too”, say “Crăciun fericit și ție” (crah-choon feh-re-cheet she Tsee-eh). However, simply saying “Crăciun Fericit” is perfectly fine and much easier.
If you enjoy winter sports, don’t forget to check out my article on the Best Ski Resorts in Romania.
How to say “Happy New Year” in Romanian
To wish someone a Happy New Year in Romanian, say: Un an nou fericit! This phrase is longer but probably easier to pronounce. Say it like this: Oon Ahn No Feh-re-cheet.
You can also add a birthday greeting: La mulți ani! (which translates to “Many years to you!”). Here’s how to pronounce it: Lah Mool-ts Ah-nee.
If you really want to impress your Romanian friends, you can say: Un an nou fericit și la mulți ani! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try another tongue-twister!
If you prefer a more neutral greeting, you can always say “Sărbători fericite,” which means “Happy Holidays.” Pronounce it like this: Suhr-buh-toh-ree Feh-ree-chee-teh.
Unlike in some places where you might avoid mentioning Christmas to be considerate, this greeting embraces the entire winter holiday season.
Most Romanians celebrate Christmas, and it’s unlikely that anyone would be offended if you wish them a Merry Christmas. However, it’s good to have options.
Speaking of options, the Christmas market scene is thriving here, so be sure to visit as many as you can. Check out my article on the best Christmas markets in Romania for more information.
Here are some additional winter and holiday-themed words in Romanian to further impress your friends:
– snow: zăpadă
– It’s snowing: ninge
– Santa Claus: Moș Crăciun
– Mulled Wine: vin fiert (can’t enjoy winter without it)
– I’m getting tipsy: mă amețesc (for those festive moments)
– I’m cold: îmi este frig
– I’m happy: sunt fericit
– Christmas: Crăciun (you probably knew this one!)
– I love Christmas: iubesc Crăciunul
– Christmas carols: colinde de Crăciun
– Christmas tree: brad de Crăciun
These are some essential Christmas words. Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll happily translate them for you.
Lastly, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! In Romania, we often wish each other a Merry Christmas instead of opting for the more generic “Happy Holidays.”
Things to Know About Christmas in Romania (Gift-Giving Etiquette)
Christmas holds great significance in Romania, so it’s typical to bring gifts not only for family and loved ones but also for close friends and colleagues.
For colleagues, keep it simple and symbolic—there’s no need to be extravagant. For family and significant others, however, gifts are usually more meaningful, as Christmas is celebrated as the biggest holiday of the year.
Santa Claus traditionally arrives on the evening of December 24th (before the kids go to bed), but in some families, gifts are found on the morning of December 25th, similar to the US tradition.
We don’t have a strong tradition of sending Christmas cards (though they are appreciated), nor do we leave milk and cookies for Santa.
Additionally, Christmas stockings are not common in Romania, so expect gifts to come in boxes or bags instead.
Ultimately, how you choose to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the winter holidays is what matters most. It’s easy to adapt to local customs, and the key is to approach them with an open heart.
For more details, you can read about Romania’s traditions here or learn what to expect during the winter season in Romania.
Now that you know how to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Romanian, you’re all set to impress everyone!
If you need help with any other words, just let me know, and I’ll be happy to assist!
Having lived in Romania for almost 4 decades, I am here to share everything I know about this beautiful country. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, a passion for traveling, and a commitment to writing about Romania since 2013, I currently reside in Constanța.
