Merry Christmas in Slovenian
Vesel božič
Say it like this: VEH-sel BOH-zhich
Big letters show the part to say louder.
Quick answer
- In Slovenian, Merry Christmas is Vesel božič, said like VEH-sel BOH-zhich.
- Happy New Year is Srečno novo leto.
- People say it in Slovenia, Italy (Trieste region), Austria (Carinthia), Hungary and more.
What Vesel božič means
Word for word it is 'vesel' (merry, cheerful) plus 'božič' (Christmas). Slovenian does not capitalise božič in the middle of a sentence.
Other ways to say it in Slovenian
Happy New Year
Srečno novo leto
Say it like this: SRECH-no NOH-vo LEH-to
good luck in the new year, word for word 'lucky new year'
To write in a Christmas card
Vesel božič in srečno novo leto
Say it like this: VEH-sel BOH-zhich een SRECH-no NOH-vo LEH-to
Where people speak Slovenian
SloveniaItaly (Trieste region)Austria (Carinthia)HungaryCroatia
Slovenian (slovenščina) belongs to the Indo-European, South Slavic 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 Slovenian today, then follow his trip.
Follow Rally on Christmas Eve →Christmas traditions where people speak Slovenian
- The Three Good Men: Slovenian children can be visited by three gift bringers in winter. Sveti Miklavž comes on December 5, Božiček on Christmas Eve and Dedek Mraz, Grandfather Frost, on New Year's Eve.[1]
- Sprouting wheat: In December, around the feasts of St Barbara and St Lucy, Slovenians plant wheat grass seeds. The seeds sprout by Christmas and are used as a table decoration. The green shoots stand for prosperity.[1]
- Potica, the rolled cake: Potica is a rolled cake with a swirled filling of honey, nuts, raisins or poppy seeds. Different parts of Slovenia have their own fillings, and the cake is a favourite part of the Christmas meal.[1]
🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Slovenian
Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.
Say Merry Christmas in more languages
- BosnianSretan Božić
- BulgarianВесела Коледа
- CroatianSretan Božić
- MacedonianСреќен Божиќ
- SerbianСрећан Божић
- AlbanianGëzuar Krishtlindjen
- DutchVrolijk kerstfeest
- SwedishGod jul
Questions parents ask
How do you say Merry Christmas in Slovenian?
The most common way to say Merry Christmas in Slovenian is Vesel božič. It is pronounced "VEH-sel BOH-zhich". Slovenians say Vesel božič to family, friends and neighbours, and write it on cards. The word vesel is also used in birthday and other happy wishes.[2]
How do you pronounce Merry Christmas in Slovenian?
Say it like this: VEH-sel BOH-zhich. The capital letters show the stressed syllable, so say that part a little louder and longer. The letter č sounds like ch in church and ž sounds like the s in measure. Stress usually falls near the start of the word, so say VEH-sel BOH-zhich.
What does Merry Christmas mean word for word in Slovenian?
Word for word it is 'vesel' (merry, cheerful) plus 'božič' (Christmas). Slovenian does not capitalise božič in the middle of a sentence. The vowel e in vesel is a short sound, so children can say it like the e in bed.[2]
How do you write Merry Christmas in Slovenian?
Write it as Vesel božič. Slovenian uses the hook marks on č, š and ž, and they change the sounds, so keep them. Only the first word is capitalised in a greeting, because Slovenian does not capitalise holiday names like English does.
How do you say Happy New Year in Slovenian?
Happy New Year in Slovenian is Srečno novo leto, pronounced "SRECH-no NOH-vo LEH-to". It means good luck in the new year, word for word 'lucky new year'. Slovenians usually wish Srečno novo leto, meaning happy or lucky new year. On New Year's Eve children may hope for a visit from Dedek Mraz, Grandfather Frost.[3][1]
Is there a formal and a casual way to say Merry Christmas in Slovenian?
Vesel božič is the standard greeting for everyone, from friends to teachers. You can add warmer words on cards, such as a longer wish for peace and health, but the short form is always polite and correct.[2]
When do people say Merry Christmas in Slovenian?
Slovenians say it in December, especially on and around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, on cards, in messages, and at school before the break. They often add a wish for the new year at the same time.[1]
Which day is the main Christmas celebration for Slovenian speakers: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
The main meal is on the evening of Christmas Eve, December 24, when families gather. Christmas Day, December 25, is a public holiday for visiting relatives and going to church. Roast pork is a popular main dish, with potica for dessert.[1]
Who are the three winter gift bringers in Slovenia?
Slovenian children can be visited by three gift bringers in winter, sometimes called the Three Good Men. Sveti Miklavž comes on December 5, Božiček on Christmas Eve and Dedek Mraz, Grandfather Frost, on New Year's Eve. Each one has his own look and his own night, so the winter feels like a long string of small celebrations.[1]
How can I teach Merry Christmas in Slovenian to kids?
Teach Vesel božič as a two-beat chant, vesel, božič. Then plant wheat grass with children in early December and say the greeting when the sprouts appear. This links the words to a real Slovenian custom.
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.
- Christmas in Slovenia, WhyChristmas.com
- Merry Christmas (translations), Wiktionary
- Happy New Year (translations), Wiktionary