How to Say Merry Christmas in Albanian

Europe

Nov 3

Written by Kelsey Cecil

Merry Christmas in Albanian

Gëzuar Krishtlindjen

Say it like this: guh-ZOO-ar kreesht-LEEN-dyen

Big letters show the part to say louder.

Quick answer

In Albanian, Merry Christmas is Gëzuar Krishtlindjen, said like guh-ZOO-ar kreesht-LEEN-dyen.
Happy New Year is Gëzuar Vitin e Ri.
People say it in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and more.

What Gëzuar Krishtlindjen means

Word for word it is 'gëzuar' (rejoiced, happy) plus 'Krishtlindjen' (Christmas). Krishtlindje joins Krisht (Christ) and lindje (birth), so it means the birth of Christ.

Other ways to say it in Albanian

Gëzuar Krishtlindjet

Say it like this: guh-ZOO-ar kreesht-LEEN-dyet

Also widely used, with the ending -t. It means the same thing.

Happy New Year

Gëzuar Vitin e Ri

Say it like this: guh-ZOO-ar VEE-teen eh REE

happy new year, word for word 'happy the year the new'

To write in a Christmas card

Gëzuar Krishtlindjet dhe Vitin e Ri

Say it like this: guh-ZOO-ar kreesht-LEEN-dyet dheh VEE-teen eh REE

Where people speak Albanian

AlbaniaKosovoNorth MacedoniaMontenegroGreeceItaly

Albanian (shqip) belongs to the Indo-European, its own branch (Albanian has no close living relatives) language family.

Say it with Rally on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Rally the corgi rides the Christmas Train to more than 100 places and teaches kids how to say Merry Christmas at every stop. Practice Albanian today, then follow his trip.

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Christmas traditions where people speak Albanian

New Year gifts and Babagjyshi: In Albania, presents are often given at New Year rather than Christmas. The gift giver is Babagjyshi i Vitit të Ri, the Old Man of the New Year. This custom grew when Christmas was not allowed under communism.^[1]
Lights in Tirana: In December the main streets of Tirana are covered in white lights. A large tree stands in Skanderbeg Square, and a Christmas market runs there during the festive season with food, drinks and rides for families.^[1]
Christmas Day and church services: December 25, Krishtlindjet, is a public holiday in Albania. Albanians greet each other with Gëzuar Krishtlindjet, and many Orthodox and Catholic families mark the day with church services.^[1]

🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Albanian

Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.

Say Merry Christmas in more languages

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Questions parents ask

How do you say Merry Christmas in Albanian?

The most common way to say Merry Christmas in Albanian is Gëzuar Krishtlindjen, pronounced "guh-ZOO-ar kreesht-LEEN-dyen". You will also hear Gëzuar Krishtlindjet, the plural form, with the same meaning. Many Albanians make more of New Year than of Christmas, so the wish often comes together with a New Year greeting.^[2][1]

How do you pronounce Merry Christmas in Albanian?

Say it like this: guh-ZOO-ar kreesht-LEEN-dyen. The capital letters show the stressed syllable, so say that part a little louder and longer. The letter ë is a relaxed uh sound, and the letters dj in Krishtlindjen sound like a soft dy. Stress usually falls near the end, so say guh-ZOO-ar and kreesht-LEEN-dyen.

What does Merry Christmas mean word for word in Albanian?

Word for word it is 'gëzuar' (rejoiced, happy) plus 'Krishtlindjen' (Christmas). Krishtlindje joins Krisht (Christ) and lindje (birth), so it means the birth of Christ. Gëzuar also means cheers and congratulations, so Albanians use it in many happy moments, such as toasts and holidays.^[2]

How do you write Merry Christmas in Albanian?

Write it as Gëzuar Krishtlindjen. The letter ë, with two dots, is a separate letter in Albanian, and you must keep it. Albanian also uses ç, which sounds like ch. Capitalise Krishtlindjen as the holiday name and keep Gëzuar capitalised at the start.

How do you say Happy New Year in Albanian?

Happy New Year in Albanian is Gëzuar Vitin e Ri, pronounced "guh-ZOO-ar VEE-teen eh REE". It means happy new year, word for word 'happy the year the new'. Albanians say Gëzuar Vitin e Ri for the new year, and New Year's Eve is usually the bigger celebration. Gifts are often exchanged on that night, rather than on December 25.^[3][1]

Is there a formal and a casual way to say Merry Christmas in Albanian?

Gëzuar Krishtlindjen works politely and warmly with anyone, from grandparents to classmates. Albanian does have formal and informal ways to address people, but this greeting is a fixed holiday phrase, so children can say it to everyone without changing a word.^[2]

When do people say Merry Christmas in Albanian?

Albanians say it around December 24 and 25, in person, on cards and in messages. Because New Year is such a big celebration in Albania, many people send a combined wish, such as Gëzuar Krishtlindjet dhe Vitin e Ri, to cover both holidays at once.^[1]

Which day is the main Christmas celebration for Albanian speakers: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Day, December 25, is a public holiday in Albania, called Krishtlindjet. For many families New Year's Eve is the bigger party, when presents are exchanged. Orthodox and Catholic Albanians may also go to church or midnight mass around Christmas.^[1]

What is Babagjyshi i Vitit të Ri?

In Albania, presents are often given at New Year rather than Christmas. The gift giver is Babagjyshi i Vitit të Ri, the Old Man of the New Year. This custom grew when Christmas was not allowed under communism, so New Year became the family holiday for gifts, lights and a decorated tree.^[1]

How can I teach Merry Christmas in Albanian to kids?

Teach Gëzuar as a happy word that also means cheers, and let children clink paper cups to practise it. Then add Krishtlindjen, taking it in pieces: Krisht (Christ) and lindje (birth). The meaning helps with the long word.

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