How to Say Happy New Year

Last Updated: December 26, 2021 References

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, which means–you guessed it–plenty of quality time with your friends and family. When the clock strikes midnight, how do you plan on breaking in the new year with your loved ones? “Happy New Year!” gets the message across, but it can get a little blasé when you say it over and over again. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to change up this classic greeting and keep your relatives, friends, and acquaintances on their toes. We’ve put together a bunch of alternatives you can use, along with some foreign greetings, too.

1

“Cheers to the new year!”

Transform your greeting into a toast. Even if you don’t have a drink in hand, “cheers” is an iconic way to ring in the new year.^{[1]
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2

“Have a prosperous new year!”

Give your best wishes with this snappy greeting. It’s great to say in just about any setting, whether you’re celebrating with friends or hanging out at an office party.^{[2]
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3

“Wishing you a great year ahead!”

This greeting works for just about any occasion.^{[3]
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Research source} You can tell this to your boss, co-workers, neighbors, friends, relatives, and even strangers—after all, everyone deserves a bit of holiday cheer!

4

“May all your wishes come true this year!”

Let the other person know that you’re rooting for them in the coming year.^{[4]
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Research source} To keep the conversation going, you might even ask them what they hope to achieve in the upcoming new year.

5

“Wishing you a huge slice of happiness this new year!”

This greeting works for friends, family, and co-workers alike. Let the people in your life know how much you appreciate them, and that you want only the best for them in the coming year.^{[5]
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6

“Best of luck with your resolutions this year!”

Share this encouraging greeting with everyone in your life. Chances are, most of your friends, family, and co-workers all have goals and resolutions for the upcoming year, like exercising more, eating better, or traveling the world. Let them know that you support them, and that you believe this will be their best year yet.

7

“Let your dreams take flight!”

This cheerful greeting will brighten just about anyone’s new year. Remind your friends, loved ones, and any other people in your life that you believe in them and are wishing them the best.

8

“I can’t wait to see what you accomplish this year!”

It’s a new year, and anything can happen. This greeting reminds your loved ones that you’ll be cheering them on during the coming months.

9

“Let’s live it up tonight—we have the rest of the year to live it down!”

Encourage your fellow partygoers to make the most of the celebration. Don’t worry about January 1st until the calendar officially switches over!

10

“Let’s pop bottles, bestie.”

What better way to ring in the new year than with a glass of bubbly?^{[6]
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Research source} Get your bottle ready as the clock starts counting down, and drop this line before letting the champagne flow.

11

“Each year I spend with you is the best one yet!”

Share this touching greeting with your significant other or spouse.^{[7]
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Research source} Remind them how important they are to you, and how you can’t wait to make lots of great memories with them in the coming year.

12

“I feel like anything is possible this year since I have you.”

Turn your holiday greeting into a sentimental message for your beau. Remind them how much you love them, and how you’re grateful to have another 365 days to learn and grow with them.

13

“It’s already the new year? Time flies when we’re together.”

Make your significant other laugh with this cheesy but meaningful greeting. Explain how excited you are to usher in the day with them, and how you can’t wait to see what the new year has to offer.

14

“Let’s stick together no matter where this new year takes us.”

Start off your new year right with this touching promise. Let your partner know how much they mean to you, and how excited you are to be with them during this special occasion.

15

“Time to turn over a new leaf!”

Motivate your friends and family with this important reminder.^{[8]
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Research source} Saying “Happy New Year” is great, but it’s just as important to remember what the holiday represents. This greeting is an excellent way to remind others about the many opportunities that the new year brings.

16

“Out with the old, in with the new!”

Throw the past year into the history books with this clever phrase. This casual greeting is best-suited for friends and family, but you can really say it to whoever you want.^{[9]
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17

“Wishing you 12 months of success!”

Encourage your friends and loved ones with this cheerful message. You can even take your greeting a step further by saying “I hope you have 52 weeks of good fortune, 365 days of good times, 8,760 hours of blessings, 525,600 minutes of happiness, and 31,536,000 seconds of good memories.”^{[10]
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18

“Life is short, so let’s give it our all this year!”

Keep things real with this friendly greeting. The new year offers huge opportunities, so make sure your friends and loved ones make the most of them!

19

“Here’s to the future!”

This is a great way to toast with friends and loved ones.^{[11]
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Research source} Clink your glasses together, and then chat about what you hope the next year will bring.

20

“May the new year be a fresh start for you!”

Support the people in your life with this uplifting message. Maybe the past year didn’t go quite as planned, but that doesn’t mean that next year is doomed to be the same. Reassure your friends and loved ones that anything is possible.

21

“Another great year with some great people in my life.”

This is an awesome greeting to share with your loved ones.^{[12]
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Research source} Try breaking out this greeting at the next family gathering or party to give everyone the warm and fuzzies.

22

“I said this 365 days ago, but happy new year!”

This is an excellent way to start off your new year with a few chuckles.^{[13]
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Research source} If you’re ringing in the new year right after a leap year, replace the “365” with “366.”

23

“Here’s to another year further away from 2020!”

There’s no denying it—2020 was one of the worst years ever. That makes each passing new year all the more special, as you and your loved ones can focus on putting those dreary days behind you.

24

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book.”

This iconic Brad Paisley tweet makes for a great new year greeting. In true Paisley spirit, end your message by saying, “Let’s make it a good one!”^{[14]
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25

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right!”

Repurpose Oprah Winfrey’s motivational words into an unforgettable message.^{[15]
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Research source} Remind your friends and loved ones that the new year is the best time to put your best foot forward as you learn and grow from years past.

26

“365 days means 365 new chances!”

No one knows who originally coined this quote, but it still makes for a great greeting.^{[16]
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Research source} Encourage the people in your life to live every day to the fullest, and remind them that the new year is full of potential.

27

“Here’s to another year of laughs!”

Drop this line to a friend, family member, or co-worker who always makes you smile.^{[17]
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Research source} To lighten the mood even more, crack a joke after you share this greeting.

28

“With you at the helm, next year will be incredible!”

Leave these kind words with your boss before heading off for your holiday break. Let them know that you appreciate all of their hard work around the office, and that you’re excited for whatever the new year has to offer.

29

“Thanks for all the encouragement his year.”

Let your boss or supervisor know that they made an impact in your life. You can even finish off your greeting with a touching message, like “I hope you and your family have a great holiday season and a joyous new year!”

30

“We might not be together, but I’m celebrating with you in spirit.”

Share this meaningful greeting with a long-distance friend, relative, or partner. Feel free to send your message at whatever time zone makes sense for you and your loved one.

31

Ring in the new year with a foreign greeting.

This is a great way to impress everyone once the clock strikes 12. “Bonne année” is a traditional French new year greeting, while Spanish-speaking folks typically say “Feliz año nuevo.” You could also take the German route with “Frohes neues jahr,” or opt for the Italian greeting of “Buon anno.”^{[18]
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Research source} Here are a few other options you might try:
- Mandarin Chinese: Xīn nián kuài lè! (shin nee-an kwai le)^{[19]
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- Japanese: あけましたおめでとうございます! (akemashite omedetou gozaimasu)^{[20]
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- Vietnamese: Chúc mừng năm mới! (chuhk mung nam eye)^{[21]
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- Tagalog: Manigong Bagong Taon! (mah-ni-gung bah-gung tah-on)^{[22]
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- Russian: С Новым Годом! (s nò-vym gò-dam)^{[23]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do you say "happy new year" in Korean?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

There are a few different ways! Korean has multiple speech levels that hinge on who you're speaking within a conversation. In a formal setting, like talking to your boss, you might say "새해 복 많이 받으십시오," which is pronounced "saehae bok mani badeusipsio." If you were saying "happy new year" to someone you pass on the street you might say "새해 복 많이 받으세요" (saehae bok mani badeuseyo) or "행복한 새해 되세요" (haengbokan saehae doeseyo). For an informal greeting to a close friend, you'd say "새해 복 많이 받아 " (saehae bok mani bada).
Question

How do you say "happy new year" in Arabic?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The traditional new year greeting in Arabic is "وَعام سَعيد," which is phonetically pronounced "wa3ām sa3īd." You can also say "كُلّ عام وَأَنْتُم بِخَيْر (kull 3ām waĀantum biḰayr)" which means "may you be well with each passing year." If you aren't familiar with Arabic pronunciations, it might help to look for an audio file or video clip of a native speaker saying these phrases.
Question

When should I say Happy New Year?

Community Answer

At midnight on December 31st (or to those in time zones that have already passed midnight) and during the day of January 1st.