Boas festas!
standard, Brazil
The usual Brazilian wish for the holiday season is Boas festas!, literally "good parties". It covers the time from Christmas to New Year. It is also called Boas festas e feliz Ano Novo! and Felizes festas!
Meaning: seasonal greeting for Christmas and New Year (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Boas festas! | standard, Brazil |
| Boas festas e feliz Ano Novo! | full wish |
| Felizes festas! | less common |
Boas festas! is said in December and often used in cards, emails and when saying goodbye to colleagues before the end-of-year break.
Which one should you use?
To be more specific, people say Feliz Natal e um próspero Ano Novo! (Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year). Unlike "happy holidays", the phrase is not a way to avoid naming a holiday, it simply refers to the festive season.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The December holidays fall in the Brazilian summer, so boas festas is often said with beach plans or heat in mind.
Did you know?
- The word festas in this phrase is plural because it refers to several celebrations, Christmas and New Year, being counted together.
Examples in context
- Boas festas para você e sua família!Happy holidays to you and your family!
- Boas festas e um próspero Ano Novo!Happy holidays and a prosperous New Year!
- Tenha boas festas!Have a good holiday season!
Example conversation
Priscila says goodbye to her colleague Fernando on the last workday of December in São Paulo.
- PriscilaFernando, boas festas!Fernando, happy holidays!
- FernandoBoas festas pra você também!Happy holidays to you too!
- PriscilaNos vemos em janeiro.See you in January.
