Καλό μήνα!
Kaló mína!
The Greek phrase for "happy new month" is Καλό μήνα! (Kaló mína!)
Καλό μήνα! is a greeting used to wish someone a good month at the start of a new calendar month. You may also encounter the phrase Καλή αρχή στον μήνα, which means "A good start to the month".
How do you pronounce it?
Kaló mína!
Did you know?
- The word μήνας is a cognate of the English word 'moon'. Both words derive from a root that connects the passage of a month to the phases of the moon.
- The term Καλή αρχή! is actually more common than the literal 'new month' greeting. This phrase is used so broadly that it can apply to any new endeavor, not just the first day of a calendar month.
- Responding to Καλό μήνα! with Επίσης, meaning 'likewise', is considered more polite and socially natural than simply saying 'thank you'.
Example conversation
Kostas and Eleni meet at the office on the first day of the month.
- Κώστας KostasΓεια σου Ελένη, καλό μήνα!Geia sou Eleni, kalo mina!Hello Eleni, happy new month!
- Ελένη EleniΕυχαριστώ Κώστα, και το ίδιο σε σένα!Efcharisto Kosta, kai to idio se sena!Thank you Kostas, and the same to you!
- Κώστας KostasΕλπίζω να είναι ένας καλός μήνας.Elpizo na einai enas kalos minas.I hope it will be a good month.
- Ελένη EleniΌχι, σίγουρα θα είναι υπέροχος!Ochi, sigoura tha einai iperochos!No, it will definitely be wonderful!
