καλές γιορτές
kalés giortés
In Greek, "happy holiday" is expressed as καλές γιορτές (kalés giortés).
καλές γιορτές is the most commonly used phrase to wish someone "Happy Holidays" in Greek, typically used to wish someone a pleasant festive season around Christmas and New Year.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective καλές (good, feminine plural) and the noun γιορτές (holidays/festivities, feminine plural).
Which one should you use?
While καλές γιορτές (plural) is the standard greeting for the holiday season, you can use the singular form καλή γιορτή to wish someone a happy specific holiday or celebration.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form καλή γιορτή can be used to wish someone a happy specific holiday or celebration.
How do you pronounce it?
kalés giortés
When do people say it?
Depending on the context, you might use other greetings: Καλά Χριστούγεννα is used specifically to wish someone "Merry Christmas", while Χρόνια Πολλά literally means "many years" but is a common greeting used during various holidays.
Did you know?
- In Greece, a person's 'name day' is often a bigger celebration than their birthday, making the singular καλή γιορτή common for these specific calendar dates.
- While καλές γιορτές covers the season, Greeks often use Χρόνια Πολλά for birthdays and name days, wishing the person 'many years' of life rather than a 'happy day'.
- If someone wishes you καλές γιορτές, a common and polite way to say 'likewise' or 'the same to you' is to reply with επίσης.
Examples in context
- Καλές Γιορτές, Μαρία!Happy Holidays, Maria!
- Καλές γιορτές σε όλους!Kalés giortés se ólous!Happy holidays to everyone!
- Σου εύχομαι καλές γιορτές.Sou éfchome kalés giortés.I wish you happy holidays.
- Καλές γιορτές και ευτυχίες.Kalés giortés kai eftychíes.Happy holidays and happiness.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are saying goodbye at the office before the winter break.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΓεια σου Κώστα, καλές γιορτές!Geia sou Kósta, kalés giortés!Bye Kostas, happy holidays!
- Κώστας KostasΕυχαριστώ, Αναστασία! Επίσης, καλές γιορτές.Efcharistó, Anastasía! Epísis, kalés giortés.Thank you, Anastasia! Likewise, happy holidays.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΘα τα πούμε μετά τις διακοπές.Tha ta poúme metá tis diakopés.We will talk after the break.
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, τα λέμε τότε!Ne, ta léme tóte!Yes, see you then!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry καλές γιορτές, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
