How to Say Merry Christmas in Hungarian

Europe

Nov 3

Written by Kelsey Cecil

Merry Christmas in Hungarian

Boldog karácsonyt

Say it like this: BOHL-dog KAH-rah-chonyt

Big letters show the part to say louder.

Quick answer

In Hungarian, Merry Christmas is Boldog karácsonyt, said like BOHL-dog KAH-rah-chonyt.
Happy New Year is Boldog új évet.
People say it in Hungary, Romania (Transylvania), Slovakia, Serbia (Vojvodina) and more.

What Boldog karácsonyt means

Word for word it is 'boldog' (happy) plus 'karácsonyt' (Christmas). The -t at the end of karácsonyt is a grammar ending that Hungarian adds when the word is the thing being wished.

Other ways to say it in Hungarian

Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket

Say it like this: KEL-leh-mesh KAH-rah-cho-nyee UN-neh-peh-ket

Means 'pleasant Christmas holidays'. A polite, slightly more formal wish, common on cards.

Happy New Year

Boldog új évet

Say it like this: BOHL-dog ooy AY-vet

happy new year

To write in a Christmas card

Boldog karácsonyt és boldog új évet

Say it like this: BOHL-dog KAH-rah-chonyt aysh BOHL-dog ooy AY-vet

Where people speak Hungarian

HungaryRomania (Transylvania)SlovakiaSerbia (Vojvodina)UkraineAustria

Hungarian (magyar) belongs to the Uralic (Finno-Ugric), not related to its Slavic neighbours 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 Hungarian today, then follow his trip.

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Christmas traditions where people speak Hungarian

Szent-este, Holy Evening: Christmas Eve is called Szent-este, which means Holy Evening. Families spend it together, eat fish soup called halászlé or stuffed cabbage, and finish with beigli, a rolled poppy seed or walnut cake.^[1]
Jézuska and the little bell: Hungarian children are told that Jézuska, the little Jesus, brings the tree and the presents. They wait outside the room until they hear a bell ring, and then they run in to see the decorated tree.^[1]
Szaloncukor, tree candy: Szaloncukor is a Hungarian Christmas candy wrapped in shiny foil and hung on the tree. It is usually fondant with a chocolate coating, and the children can eat the candies as the holidays go on.^[2]

🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Hungarian

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 Hungarian?

The most common way to say Merry Christmas in Hungarian is Boldog karácsonyt. It is pronounced "BOHL-dog KAH-rah-chonyt". Hungarians say it to family, friends and neighbours, in person and on cards. On Christmas Eve you may also hear the warmer 'Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket', meaning pleasant Christmas holidays.^[3][1]

How do you pronounce Merry Christmas in Hungarian?

Say it like this: BOHL-dog KAH-rah-chonyt. In Hungarian the stress is always on the first syllable. The letters cs sound like English ch, and the ny at the end sounds like the ny in canyon, so karácsonyt is KAH-rah-chonyt.

What does Merry Christmas mean word for word in Hungarian?

Word for word it is 'boldog' (happy) plus 'karácsonyt' (Christmas). The -t at the end of karácsonyt is a grammar ending that Hungarian adds when the word is the thing being wished. It is a simple, friendly wish that children can learn as two words: happy and Christmas.^[3]

How do you write Merry Christmas in Hungarian?

Write it as Boldog karácsonyt, with a capital B at the start of a sentence. Hungarian does not capitalise karácsonyt in the middle of a sentence. The accent on á is important, because it changes the vowel sound and the word.

How do you say Happy New Year in Hungarian?

Happy New Year in Hungarian is Boldog új évet, pronounced "BOHL-dog ooy AY-vet". It means happy new year. Hungarians often say both wishes together on cards, as Boldog karácsonyt és boldog új évet, which means happy Christmas and happy new year. The word és means and.^[4]

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

Boldog karácsonyt is warm and friendly and works with almost everyone. The longer Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket, meaning pleasant Christmas holidays, is more polite and is often chosen for colleagues, teachers, neighbours or a formal card, while children and close friends usually keep it short and simple.^[1]

When do people say Merry Christmas in Hungarian?

People say it from mid December, often as a goodbye wish at work and school before the break, and above all on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Cards and messages carry it too, usually with a wish for the new year.^[1]

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

Christmas Eve, December 24, is the main celebration in Hungary. It is called Szent-este, the Holy Evening, when families have their special meal and children get their presents. Many people attend Midnight Mass afterwards. Christmas Day is then for visiting relatives.^[1]

What is Szent-este in Hungary?

Christmas Eve is called Szent-este, which means Holy Evening. Families spend it together, eat fish soup called halászlé or stuffed cabbage, and finish with beigli, a rolled poppy seed or walnut cake. Many Hungarian families make the evening calm and full of surprise, with the room closed until the bell is heard.^[1]

How can I teach Merry Christmas in Hungarian to kids?

Let children learn it as two easy words, boldog and karácsonyt. Say the stressed first syllable in a big voice, then clap the rhythm. Then make paper szaloncukor, hang them on a paper tree and say the greeting each time you hang one.

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