In this article, we’ll teach you the basic phrases on how to say happy new year in French. Let’s get started!
Happy new year in French
Welcome to our guide on how to say Happy New Year in French! As the New Year approaches, it’s always a good idea to know how to greet others in their native language.
Whether you’re planning to travel to a French-speaking country or want to impress your Francophone friends, learning “Happy New Year” in French is a useful phrase to have in your arsenal.
In this article, we’ll teach you the basic phrase and provide some variations and alternatives you can use to ring in the New Year with your French-speaking friends and family. So, let’s get started!
The basic phrase: “Bonne Année”
The French phrase for saying “Happy New Year” is “Bonne Année“. This phrase is easy to remember and understand and is commonly used throughout the French-speaking world.
To pronounce “Bonne Année“, start by saying “bun” with your lips rounded, like you’re trying to make a small “o” sound. Next, say “ah” like you’re sighing in relief. Finally, say “nay” with a raised pitch as if you’re asking a question. The phrase should be pronounced as “bun-ah nay“.
To use “Bonne Année” in a sentence, you can say “Bonne Année!” to someone, which means “Happy New Year!”. You can add the person’s name at the end, like “Bonne Année, Marie!” (Happy New Year, Marie!). If you’re writing a New Year’s card or letter, you can start the message with “Bonne Année” and add a personal note after it.
Overall, “Bonne Année” is a simple and classic way to say “Happy New Year” in French. Whether you’re speaking to a close friend or a formal acquaintance, this phrase is appropriate to use in any setting.
Alternative phrases
While “Bonne Année” is the most commonly used phrase for saying “Happy New Year” in French, there are a few other alternatives that you can use to greet others during the New Year.
Here are some alternative phrases to consider:
- “Joyeux Nouvel An“: This phrase means “Happy New Year” and is similar to “Bonne Année“. To pronounce it, say “zhwah-yuh noo-vuhl ahn“. This phrase is a bit more formal and formal than “Bonne Année” and is often used in written messages or formal settings.
- “Meilleurs Vœux pour la Nouvelle Année“: This phrase means “Best Wishes for the New Year” and is a more formal way to greet someone on New Year’s Day. To pronounce it, say “may-yuhr vuh poo-ruh lah noo-vuhl an-yuh“. This phrase is often used in business or professional settings.
- “Bonne et Heureuse Année“: This phrase means “Happy and Prosperous New Year” and is a more elaborate way to wish someone a happy New Year. To pronounce it, say “bun-uh ay-ter-ooz an-yuh“. This phrase is more formal than “Bonne Année” and is often used in written messages or formal settings.
Using one of these alternative phrases is a great way to add variety to your New Year’s greetings and show appreciation for the person you’re speaking to. Just be sure to use the appropriate level of formality based on the context and your relationship with the person.
Greetings for the new year in French-speaking countries
In French-speaking countries, people typically greet each other with “Happy New Year” phrases on New Year’s Day, which is celebrated on January 1st.
There are a few different traditions and customs that are followed in French-speaking countries to mark the start of the new year.
New Year’s Eve (la veille de Nouvel An) is a time for celebration and festivities in France. Many gather with friends and family to attend parties or watch fireworks.
It’s common to exchange New Year’s greetings with others, and people often say “Bonne Année” or “Joyeux Nouvel An” to each other as the clock strikes midnight.
In other French-speaking countries, such as Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland, New Year’s Eve traditions are similar to those in France. People may attend parties or go out to celebrate, and it’s common to exchange New Year’s greetings with others.
In these countries, people may also use the French phrases “Bonne Année” or “Joyeux Nouvel An” to greet each other on New Year’s Day. French-speaking countries have several traditions and customs for celebrating the New Year.
Greeting others with “Happy New Year” phrases, such as “Bonne Année” or “Joyeux Nouvel An”, is a common way to mark the start of the new year and wish others well.
Final words
As you begin the new year, it’s important to remember that learning a new language can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
Saying “Happy New Year” in French is a simple and effective way to greet others during the New Year. The basic phrase for this greeting is “Bonne Année“, which is easy to remember and understand.
Additionally, there are several alternative phrases that you can use to add some variety to your New Year’s greetings, such as “Joyeux Nouvel An“, “Meilleurs Vœux pour la Nouvelle Année” and “Bonne et Heureuse Année“.
No matter which phrase you choose, it’s important to remember to use the appropriate formality based on the context and your relationship with the person.
Whether you’re speaking to a close friend or a formal acquaintance, these “Happy New Year” phrases are a great way to ring in the New Year with your French-speaking friends and family.
So why wait? Start practicing these phrases today and prepare to wish others a “Bonne Année” on New Year’s Day!
