godt nytår
/ɡɔt nytɔr/word by word
godt nytår is the Danish way to say Happy New Year.
godt nytår is used to wish someone a Happy New Year. When using the phrase as a standalone exclamation, it is common to capitalize the first word: Godt nytår!
Meaning: Happy New Year (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'good new year'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective godt is in the neuter form to agree with the neuter noun nytår.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɔt nytɔr/
Did you know?
- A common tradition accompanying godt nytår involves the smashing of plates against the doors of friends and neighbors to bring good luck for the coming year.
- During the countdown to midnight, Danes often yell Godt nytår! while simultaneously popping loud-sounding firecrackers, a tradition much louder than in many other European countries.
- If you want to wish someone a 'Happy New Year' in a very formal letter, you might see the phrase et lykkeligt nytår, which uses the word for 'happiness' instead of 'good'.
Examples in context
- Jeg ønsker jer godt nytår.I wish you a Happy New Year.This sentence is useful for wishing a group a Happy New Year using godt nytår.Tatoeba #13678647 by danepo, translation #30091 by Eldad
- Glædelig jul og godt nytår!Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!This sentence is useful for combining a Christmas greeting with a Happy New Year using godt nytår.Tatoeba #3712445 by danepo, translation #925023 by zvaigzne
- Glædelig jul og godt nytår til alle!Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to everyone.This sentence is useful for wishing everyone a Happy New Year using godt nytår.Tatoeba #3712752 by danepo, translation #683475 by Shishir
- Jeg vil fejre med vennerne. Godt nytår til dig og din familie!I'll be celebrating with friends. Happy New Year to you and your family!
- Ja, lad os gøre det! Rigtig godt nytår!Yes, let's do it! Happy New Year!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mads and Freja meet at a party at midnight.
- MadsGodt nytår, Freja!Happy New Year, Freja!
- FrejaTak, Mads, og godt nytår til dig også.Thanks, Mads, and happy New Year to you too.
- MadsSkal vi skåle?Shall we toast?
- FrejaJa, skål!Yes, cheers!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy new year” translations and entries godt nytår, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (godt, nytår) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
