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How to say ‘Happy New Year!’

It may sound strange to an English speaker to wish someone “With New Year!” but it makes more sense to know that the word ‘Поздравляю…’ (Congratulations…) is missing but understood. Likewise in these other phrases of goodwill:

To wish someone a happy holiday:

С новым годом, с новым счастьем! - Happy New Year and all the best!

С рождеством! – Merry Christmas!

С восьмым марта! –Happy International Women’s day!

Or congratulate on a special date:

С первым снегом! – Congratulations on first snow!

С началом учебного года! – Congratulations on the beginning of the academic year!

С первым днём весны! – Congratulations on the first day of spring! (which is the 1st March)

Or a personal event:

С днём рождения! – on your birthday (Happy Birthday)

С новорожденным! – on the birth of your child

С новосельем! – on your move.

С возвращением! – on your return (after holiday etc.)

С лёгким паром! – on light steam! i.e. after a banya, or sometimes even a shower.

Many of the above are followed by a stream of general good wishes:

Желаю… ( I wish you… + genitive)

…счастья - happiness

…любви - love

…здоровья - health

…денег – wealth

…успеха - success

…всего того, чего ты сам себе желаешь! – everything that you wish for yourself

Previous phrases on www.ruslingua.com