Ways to say it
| Hungarian | IPA |
|---|---|
| boldog új évet | [ˈboldoɡ ˈuːj ˈeːvɛt] (narrow) |
| boldog új évet kívánok | |
| boldog új évet kívánunk |
This phrase is used to offer well wishes for the coming year. While boldog új évet is the standard greeting, you can also use the more extended version boldog új évet kívánok to sound more formal or sincere, which is common in written cards and speeches. For a more elaborate formal wish, you may use Sikerekben gazdag Boldog Új Évet kívánok! to wish someone success and prosperity in the coming year.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of boldog (happy), új (new) and évet (year in the accusative case).
Which one should you use?
Boldog új évet is a shortened, elliptical version of the full sentence, similar to saying "Happy New Year!" instead of "I wish you a happy new year!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The full sentence uses the verb kívánok (I wish) to make the greeting grammatically complete. If a group of people is making the wish together, use the first-person plural form boldog új évet kívánunk.
Did you know?
- The word új meaning 'new' is a distant relative of the Finnish word uusi and the Estonian word uus.
- Hungarians often continue to exchange boldog új évet well into January, sometimes even until the end of the month.
- The word boldog conveys a sense of deep, lasting happiness or blessedness, rather than just a temporary feeling of joy.
Examples in context
- Boldog új évet kívánok!I wish you a Happy New Year!This sentence shows how to use the full sentence with the form boldog új évet.Tatoeba #12950374 by maaster, translation #12950375 by maaster
- Mindnyájatoknak kellemes Karácsonyt és boldog új évet kívánok.I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.This sentence shows how to include the greeting within a larger message for the form boldog új évet.Tatoeba #1510371 by Muelisto, translation #32251 by mailohilohi
- Boldog új évet!Happy New Year!This sentence demonstrates the short form of the greeting for the form boldog új évet.Tatoeba #666761 by Muelisto, translation #361350 by blay_paul
- Boldog Új Évet kívánok! Legyen sikeres az elkövetkező év!Happy New Year! May the coming year be successful.
- Szép Új Évet! Remélem, hogy ez az év tele lesz boldogsággal!Have a beautiful New Year! I hope this year will be filled with happiness.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Zoltán meet for the first time in January.
- AnnaSzia Zoltán! Boldog új évet!Hi Zoltán! Happy New Year!
- ZoltánSzia Anna! Köszönöm, neked is boldog új évet!Hi Anna! Thank you, happy new year to you too!
- AnnaHogy telt a szilveszter?How was New Year's Eve?
- ZoltánNagyon jól, köszönöm!Very well, thank you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy new year” translations and entries boldog új évet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boldog, kívánok, kívánunk, évet, új, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
