Happy New Year in Russian || 19 Phrases and Traditions You Need To Know
Learn How to Say Happy New Year in Russian Like a Native
Ready to celebrate Новый год (New Year)? There are plenty of ways to spread wishes to your Russian friends.
Here’s a quick and easy to follow guide on how to say “Happy New Year” in Russian.
Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be able to join in the festivities in no time.
Be sure to give yourself a little extra practice, so you can properly ring in the new year! Happy New Year, everyone!
С новым годом!
s nuh-vihm guh-dohm
Happy New Year in Russian || The Standard Ways
Happy New Year in Russian || A List
Happy New Year in Russian || New Year Traditions
Happy New Year in Russian || New Year Activities
Happy New Year in Russian || Bonus Quiz
Happy New Year in Russian || FAQs
Happy New Year in Russian || The Standard Ways
To say “Happy New Year” in Russian, you’ll need to know the phrase С новым годом (pronounced “s nuh-vihm guh-dohm”).
This is the standard way of wishing someone a happy new year in Russian.
DID YOU KNOW || You can also use variations on this phrase such as счастливого нового года (schas-lee-vah-vuh nuh-vah guh-dah), or ярких светлых праздников (yar-kih svyet-lee praz-dee-kov).
When it’s time to actually say “Happy New Year” in Russian, you can use the phrase С новым годом.
You can also add other more festive words to your greeting like счастья (schastya), meaning happiness and prosperity, or удачи (ooh-dah-chee), which means good luck.
You could even throw in a few kisses with a phrase such as Аллегру (ahl-lyeh-gru) which is roughly translated to “good luck and cheers”.
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Happy New Year in Russian || A List
No matter how you say it, wishing someone a Happy New Year in Russian is a great way to celebrate the holidays.
So get ready for some fun festivities and don’t forget to wish your friends and family С новым годом!
| Russian | English |
|---|---|
| Счастливого нового года | Happy New Year |
| Удачи | Good Luck |
| Ярких светлых праздников | Bright Holidays |
| С Новым Годом | Happy New Year |
| Счастья | Prosperity |
| Радости и здоровья | Joy and Health |
| Приятных светлых праздников! | Have a Great Holiday |
| Счастья и удачи | Good Luck and Happiness |
| Всем удачного Нового Года! | Happy New Year to Everyone |
| Радостных хлопот | Joyful Moments |
| Наслаждайтесь праздником! | Enjoy the Holiday |
| Аллегру | Good Luck / Cheers |
Happy New Year in Russian || Traditions
We aren’t just teaching you how to say Happy New Year in Russian… there’s still plenty more to share!
Now it’s time to teach you some of the most popular customs that Russians observe during this festive season.
From decorating homes to enjoying special meals and treats, you’ll get a taste of what it’s like to celebrate New Year’s in Russia.
Decorating the Home
One of the most popular New Year’s traditions in Russia is decorating the home.
Russians love to adorn their homes with festive decorations such as garlands, wreaths, and ornaments.
DID YOU KNOW || In Russia we also have a tradition of hanging a special star-shaped ornament called a Zvezda (Звезда) on their Christmas tree. This symbolizes good luck for the upcoming year.
Preparing Festive Food
Another great Russian New Year tradition is preparing festive meals and treats.
Russians often prepare an abundance of food for their holiday feasts including traditional dishes such as:
- Olivier Salad
- Herring under Fur Coat
- Borscht Soup
We also enjoy sweet treats like honey cake, gingerbread cookies, and various types of fruit pies.
Fireworks
Russians love to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with fireworks and sparklers.
Fireworks are traditionally set off at midnight on December 31st as a way to welcome the new year.
This is often accompanied by singing songs and making wishes for the upcoming year.
How do you celebrate the new year in your home country? Why not tell us in the comments below.
BONUS || Love learning languages? Why not learn how to say Happy New Year in Mandarin too?
Happy New Year in Russian || Activities
In Russia, New Year’s is a big deal. The whole country shuts down for almost a week to celebrate.
Families get together, friends exchange gifts, and everyone stays up until midnight to watch the fireworks.
Here are some activities that you can do if you’re spending New Year’s in Russia.
Drink Champagne & Listen to Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”
Spending an evening at home can be just as exciting as going out on the town.
Instead of standing in line for a movie or wading through crowds for dinner, try something different!
Spend an evening with champagne and Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” instead.
Open a bottle and let the sweet bubbling liquid refresh you while the music sets the perfect mood.
With those two soul-lifting elements, you’ll instantly feel yourself relaxed and drift away into a tranquil night of self-care.
You may not make it to the theatre this season, but at least take yourself away to your own private world where you can be transported by these sounds and flavours.
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Go Ice Skating in Red Square
Red Square in Moscow is the ultimate destination for ice-skating fans.
If you’re looking for an old-fashioned Russian experience, this is definitely the place to be!
While it may not be as grand as other iconic skating rinks such as Rockefeller Centre or The Hague, Red Square offers its own unique flavour that’s definitely worth experiencing.
You can glide across the square surrounded by beautiful landmarks and monuments, soaking up the winter ambiance of this historically significant area.
Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of St. Basil’s Cathedral in all its iconic glory as you go for a spin on the ice!
Visit St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum
If you’re looking for a real treat for your day, consider spending some time indulging in a little culture at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
This incredible art museum has been around since 1764 and is brimming with masterpieces from every corner of the world — it’s truly one of a kind!
There are thousands of pieces to admire, so be sure to set aside plenty of time to explore.
BONUS || Admission is free on certain days — it doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
If you’ve ever wanted to observe breathtaking works by world-renowned artists up close, this is the place you’ve been looking for!
BUY TICKETS || Click here
Spend New Year’s Day at a Troika Race
Spending New Year’s Day at a troika race would be an exciting way to start off the year.
This traditional Russian sport involves three horses harnessed in a single line being driven by one person, usually a coachman, who stands on a sled that is pulled behind them.
As the horses speed across snow-covered fields and hillsides, spectators can watch this colourful display of skill and horsemanship.
What better way to start the new year than observing this fast-paced and vibrant competition?
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try it out for yourself?
So there you have it, some ideas for how to ring in the new year Russian-style. Will you be trying any of them?
We’d love to hear about your plans in the comments below.
And, of course, С Новым Годом!
BONUS || Quiz
Before you go make sure to take this 3 minutes quiz to see if you’ve really learned how to say happy new year in Russian.
Happy New Year in Russian || FAQs
How to say Happy New Year in Russian?
To say “Happy New Year” in Russian, the phrase С новым годом (pronounced “s nuh-vihm guh-dohm”) is the most commonly used.
What are some common ways to wish a Happy New Year in Russian?
Aside from С новым годом, you can also use variations on this phrase such as счастливого нового года (schas-lee-vah-vuh nuh-vah guh-dah), or ярких светлых праздников (yar-kih svyet-lee praz-dee-kov).
What are some useful words to wish someone a Happy New Year in Russian?
You can also add other more festive words to your greeting like счастья (schastya), meaning happiness and prosperity, or удачи (ooh-dah-chee), which means good luck.
You could even throw in a few kisses with a phrase such as Аллегру (ahl-lyeh-gru) which is roughly translated to “good luck and cheers”.
What is a common New Years tradition in Russia?
One of the most popular New Year’s traditions in Russia is decorating the home.
Russians love to adorn their homes with festive decorations such as garlands, wreaths, and ornaments.
DID YOU KNOW || In Russia we also have a tradition of hanging a special star-shaped ornament called a Zvezda (Звезда) on their Christmas tree. This symbolizes good luck for the upcoming year.
What food is eaten during Russian New Year?
Russians often prepare an abundance of food for their holiday feasts including traditional dishes such as:
— Olivier Salad
— Herring under Fur Coat
— Borscht Soup
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