Ways to say it
| Emirati Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| سنة سعيدة | sana sa'ida | |
| عام جديد سعيد | aam jadeed sa'eed | formal |
| كل سنة وانتو طيبين | kil sana w intu tayybeen | to a group |
To a family or group of friends, say كل سنة وانتو طيبين (kil sana w intu tayybeen), 'every year and you are well'. عام جديد سعيد (aam jadeed sa'eed) is more formal and fits cards and speeches.
What does it mean word for word?
سنة and عام both mean 'year'. كل سنة وانتو طيبين uses the same pattern Arabic speakers use for birthdays and holidays, wishing good health through every repeat of an occasion.
Which one should you use?
سنة سعيدة is short and works anywhere. كل سنة وانتو طيبين feels warmer and suits people you know well. عام جديد سعيد fits a formal message.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All three are polite. عام جديد سعيد is the choice for a formal card, while the other two belong to everyday speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Dubai's New Year fireworks sit alongside the older Gulf custom of marking the Islamic new year, رأس السنة الهجرية, which falls on a different date each year.
How does it change in a sentence?
طيبين is the plural of طيب, 'well', used because the greeting addresses a group rather than one person.
How do you pronounce it?
سعيدة ends in a soft sound written as a ة, lightly said, almost dropped in fast speech.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use عيد سعيد for New Year. That phrase is reserved for the Islamic festivals of Eid and will confuse listeners if used on January 1st.
When do people say it?
Dubai welcomes the new year with large public firework displays, and many Emirati families combine the Western new year with a family gathering even though it is not a religious holiday for them.
Did you know?
- Dubai hosts some of the largest New Year's Eve fireworks shows in the world, centred on the Burj Khalifa.
- كل سنة وانتو طيبين uses the same phrase pattern Gulf Arabs use for birthdays and Eid, only the occasion changes.
Examples in context
- سنة سعيدة، نتمنى لك كل خير.sana sa'ida, nitmanna lak kil khair.Happy new year, we wish you all the best.
- كل سنة وانتو طيبين يا جماعة.kil sana w intu tayybeen ya jama'a.Happy new year, everyone.
- عام جديد سعيد ومليان نجاح.aam jadeed sa'eed w malyan najah.A happy new year full of success.
Example conversation
Ahmed calls his friend Noura to wish her a happy new year from Dubai.
- Ahmedسنة سعيدة يا نورة!sana sa'ida ya Noura!Happy new year, Noura!
- Nouraسنة سعيدة عليك، شو خططك هالسنة؟sana sa'ida 'alaik, shu khutatak has-sana?Happy new year to you, what are your plans this year?
- Ahmedإن شاء الله خير. كل سنة وانتِ طيبة.in sha' Allah khair. kil sana w inti tayyba.God willing, all good. Every year and you are well.
- Nouraالله يسمع منك.Allah yisma' minnak.May God hear you.
