Merry Christmas in Kinyarwanda
Noheli nziza
Say it like this: noh-HEH-lee n-ZEE-zah
Big letters show the part to say louder.
Quick answer
- In Kinyarwanda, Merry Christmas is Noheli nziza, said like noh-HEH-lee n-ZEE-zah.
- Happy New Year is Umwaka mushya muhire.
- People say it in Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania.
What Noheli nziza means
'Noheli' (Christmas, from French Noël) + 'nziza' (good, nice). Together it means good Christmas.
Other ways to say it in Kinyarwanda
Noheri nziza
Say it like this: noh-HEH-ree n-ZEE-zah
The same words spelled with r. The Rwandan embassy's Christmas message uses this spelling.
Happy New Year
Umwaka mushya muhire
Say it like this: oo-MWAH-kah MOO-shyah moo-HEE-reh
a happy new year
To write in a Christmas card
Noheri nziza n’umwaka mushya muhire
Say it like this: noh-HEH-ree n-ZEE-zah noo-MWAH-kah MOO-shyah moo-HEE-reh
Where people speak Kinyarwanda
RwandaUgandaDemocratic Republic of the CongoTanzania
Kinyarwanda (Ikinyarwanda) belongs to the Niger-Congo (Bantu) 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 Kinyarwanda today, then follow his trip.
Follow Rally on Christmas Eve →Christmas traditions where people speak Kinyarwanda
- A meat feast after saving all year: Christmas is Rwanda's most celebrated day. People shop for meat, Irish potatoes, beans and bananas, and rural families may save all year to eat meat at Christmas.[4]
- Children served first: Visitors are welcome at homes at Christmas. When children come home, parents serve them first, and the same kindness is shown to well-wishers who visit.[4]
- Meals for children in need: Charities and individuals host Christmas banquets for children, especially orphans and street children. Some people also schedule weddings or gift a cow, a symbol of prosperity, at Christmas.[4]
🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Kinyarwanda
Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.
Say Merry Christmas in more languages
- LingalaMbotama malamu
- SwahiliKrismasi njema
- XhosaKrismesi emnandi
- ZuluUkhisimusi omuhle
- Tigrinyaርሑስ በዓል ልደት
- Twi (Akan)Afehyia pa
- YorubaẸ kú ọdún Kérésìmesì
- HausaBarka da Kirsimati
Questions parents ask
How do you say Merry Christmas in Kinyarwanda?
You can say "Noheli nziza". Nziza means good or nice, and the same word is used in Rwanda Nziza, the title of the national anthem. Noheli is the Kinyarwanda name for Christmas, and the Rwandan embassy spells the greeting Noheri nziza in its message.[1]
How do you pronounce "Noheli nziza"?
Say it like this: noh-HEH-lee n-ZEE-zah. The capital letters show the part to stress. Say nz as one smooth sound, as in the middle of the English word lens, before the vowel. Stress the second last syllable of Noheli.
What does "Noheli nziza" mean?
It means good Christmas. Noheli is the Kinyarwanda name for Christmas, borrowed from French Noël, and nziza means good. Together they make a simple greeting that Rwandans use in speech, on cards and in messages.[1][3]
How do you write Merry Christmas in Kinyarwanda?
Kinyarwanda uses the Latin alphabet. It is written Noheli nziza in many places, and Noheri nziza in the Rwandan embassy message, because Kinyarwanda treats the l and r sounds as one letter, r. Both spellings are understood, so either one is fine on a class card.[2][3]
How do you say Happy New Year in Kinyarwanda?
Happy New Year is "Umwaka mushya muhire", said like oo-MWAH-kah MOO-shyah moo-HEE-reh. It means a happy new year. The Rwandan Ambassador's message joined both wishes: Noheri nziza n’umwaka mushya muhire. You can write both greetings together on a card to wish friends a happy end of the year.[2]
Is there a formal and a casual way to say Merry Christmas in Kinyarwanda?
Noheli nziza is warm and fits everyone. In Rwanda a polite greeting and a smile matter, and a handshake or a few extra words with elders is a respectful touch. With friends, a shorter greeting is fine.[3]
When do people say Merry Christmas in Kinyarwanda?
People say it on Christmas Eve, after church on Christmas Day, and when visiting family. It is also sent in messages. Most Rwandans are Christian, and Christmas is described as the country's most celebrated day, so the greeting is heard everywhere.[4]
Is the main Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for Kinyarwanda speakers?
Christmas Day, December 25, is the main day. Church services give thanks, and families enjoy a meal, with children served first. Some Rwandans put more emphasis on New Year's Day. The greeting is used on both days and in the week between.[3][4]
What is a Christmas tradition for Kinyarwanda speaking families?
Families gather for a Christmas meal that often includes meat, which rural families may save all year for. Parents serve children first, and charities host banquets for orphans and other children. Some people gift a cow for Christmas.[4]
How can I teach Kinyarwanda Christmas words to kids?
Start small. Teach Noheli first, since it sounds like Noël in French. Then add nziza as one smooth sound, nz. Say the greeting together a few times, then write it on a card. A Kinyarwanda speaker can record the real sound for the children.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonSources
We check every greeting against dictionaries, language institutes and cultural sources.
- Here are 25 African ways of saying Merry Christmas, Face2Face Africa
- Ambassador's message for the Rwandan community, Embassy of Rwanda in the Netherlands
- How Christmas is celebrated around East Africa, The New Times
- Celebrating Christmas the Rwandan way, KT Press
