Feliz año nuevo
everyday, Colombia
In Colombia you say Feliz año nuevo at midnight on 31 December. The fuller wish Próspero año nuevo appears on cards and in formal messages. It is also called Feliz año.
Meaning: new year greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Feliz año nuevo | everyday, Colombia |
| Próspero año nuevo | formal, written cards |
| Feliz año | short, casual |
Colombians often hug and say Feliz año as soon as the clock strikes twelve, and keep greeting relatives and neighbors for the first hours of the year.
When do people say it?
Many Colombians follow agüeros, small luck rituals. A well known one is walking around the block with a suitcase to bring travel in the new year, and another is eating twelve grapes at midnight.
Did you know?
- The suitcase walk is one of the Colombian agüeros, the word for good luck omens and rituals tied to the new year.
Examples in context
- ¡Feliz año nuevo, familia!Happy new year, family!
- Les deseo un próspero año nuevo.I wish you a prosperous new year.
- ¡Feliz año, vecino!Happy new year, neighbor!
Example conversation
At midnight on 31 December in Medellín, Camila hugs her uncle Jorge.
- Camila¡Feliz año nuevo, tío!Happy new year, uncle!
- JorgeFeliz año, mija. Que sea un año bonito.Happy new year, dear. May it be a lovely year.
- CamilaIgualmente. Ahora sí, a comer las uvas.Same to you. Now, time for the grapes.
