The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and warm wishes. If you’re planning to greet your Russian friends or colleagues with the phrase “Happy Holidays,” you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of expressing this sentiment in Russian. We will also provide tips, examples, and even touch upon regional variations, if necessary.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Greeting: Счастливых праздников!
When you want to extend your wishes for a joyful holiday season in a formal setting, the most common phrase used in Russian is “Счастливых праздников!” (SCHASTlivykh prazdnikov). This phrase is widely understood and can be used to wish happiness and joy during any holiday season.
Example: As you gather with your Russian colleagues, don’t forget to wish them “Счастливых праздников!” to express your warm wishes for the holidays.
2. Informal Greeting: Поздравляю с праздниками!
In more informal or casual settings, Russians often use the phrase “Поздравляю с праздниками!” (PaZDRAvlya-yu s prazdNIka-mi) to wish others a happy holiday season. This phrase is commonly used among friends, family, and close acquaintances.
Example: When greeting a close Russian friend, you can say “Поздравляю с праздниками!” to convey your warm wishes for the festive season.
3. Regional Variations: New Year’s Wishes
In Russia, the New Year holiday holds immense significance. It is often celebrated with great zeal, similar to the way Christmas is celebrated in other countries. Therefore, it is also common to hear specific New Year greetings during the holiday season. Here are a few regional variations:
a. С Новым Годом! (S NOvym GOdom)
The most widespread and universal New Year greeting in Russia is “С Новым Годом!” This phrase translates to “Happy New Year!” and is used to wish others joy, prosperity, and good luck in the upcoming year.
b. С Новым Годом и Рождеством! (S NOvym GOdom ee razhDYEs-tvom)
Adding “и Рождеством” (“ee razhDYEs-tvom”) to the New Year greeting means “and Christmas.” This is used to wish a Merry Christmas along with a Happy New Year, making it more suitable when both celebrations are combined.
c. С прошедшими праздниками! (S proSHYEDShee-mi prazDNIka-mi)
After the New Year celebrations have passed, Russians often wish each other “С прошедшими праздниками!” which means “Happy holidays that have passed.” This expression is used to extend good wishes after the holiday season is over and to reflect on the joyous moments shared.
4. Tips and Etiquette
Now that you know various ways to wish “Happy Holidays” in Russian, here are a few tips and points of etiquette to keep in mind:
a. Use Proper Pronunciation
Pay attention to the stress and intonation of the words while pronouncing the phrases. This will make your greetings sound more natural and show your effort to communicate effectively.
b. Add Personal Touch
When greeting close friends or family, consider adding their names or other personal elements to the phrase to make it more heartfelt and special.
c. Time Matters
Russians often celebrate the New Year over an extended period, with festivities continuing until mid-January. Therefore, it is appropriate to extend your greetings throughout this timeframe, so as not to miss anyone.
d. Learn Holiday-Related Vocabulary
Expanding your vocabulary to include holiday-related words such as “Christmas” (Рождество – raZHDes-tvo) or “New Year” (Новый Год – NOvy goD) will allow you to have more meaningful and personalized conversations during the holiday season.
Conclusion
Whether you opt for the formal “Счастливых праздников!” or the informal “Поздравляю с праздниками!”, your warm holiday greetings in Russian will surely be appreciated. Remember to tailor your phrases based on your relationship with the recipient, and if you’re in Russia during the New Year, consider adding the regional variations mentioned earlier. Happy holidays!
