Ко́леда
Kóledafeminine
Christmas in Bulgarian is Ко́леда (Kóleda). Wiktionary also lists Рождество́ Христо́во (Roždestvó Hristóvo) and Рождество́ (Roždestvó).
Meaning: festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ which in Western Christianity is celebrated on December 25 in most places (name)
Ways to say it
| Bulgarian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ко́леда | Kóleda | feminine |
| Рождество́ Христо́во | Roždestvó Hristóvo | neuter |
| Рождество́ | Roždestvó | neuter |
The word refers to the festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Which one should you use?
Рождество́ Христо́во is the full, formal name used in religious contexts or official liturgical settings, often translated as 'The Nativity of Christ'. Рождество́ is a shorter version of this formal term.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'at Christmas' or 'during Christmas' in a temporal sense, use the preposition на followed by the word Ко́леда. The adjective form used to describe things like 'Christmas tree' or 'Christmas Eve' is Коле́ден.
How do you pronounce it?
Kóleda
Did you know?
- In Bulgaria, Ко́леда is traditionally celebrated on January 7 rather than December 25. This is because the Bulgarian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar for liturgical dates.
- In Bulgarian folklore, the period of Ко́леда is associated with the 'Kukeri' festivals, where people dress in scary costumes and bells to frighten away evil spirits.
- The word Ко́леда is linked to the ancient Slavic tradition of 'koleda', which involved ritual songs and dancing to welcome the new sun. These traditions predated the Christian holiday but were merged into it.
Examples in context
- Желая ви приятна Коледа и щастлива Нова годинаI wish you a pleasant Christmas and a happy New Year
- От името на фирмата, нека Коледата ви бъде изпълнена с радостOn behalf of the company, may your Christmas be filled with joy
- Честита Коледа на всички!Merry Christmas everyone!
- Как се готвите за Коледа тази година?How are you preparing for Christmas this year?
- Да прекараш Коледа с близките си е най-хубавотоSpending Christmas with your loved ones is the best thing
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Christmas” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
