Welcoming the New Year is a joyous occasion filled with hope, positivity, and new beginnings. If you are planning to extend your greetings to someone in Sri Lanka, it’s always a delightful gesture to say “Happy New Year” in their native language. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways of expressing this sentiment, along with a few tips and examples to make your wishes heartfelt and memorable.
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Formal Ways to Say Happy New Year
Formal greetings are ideal for professional settings or when you want to maintain a respectful tone. Sri Lanka has several languages, and Sinhala is the most widely spoken. Here’s how you can wish someone a Happy New Year formally in Sinhala:
Sinhala: සුභ අළුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා!
English Translation: “Subha aluth awuruddak vewa!”
Here’s an example of how you can incorporate this phrase in a sentence:
May this New Year bring you abundant joy and success. Subha aluth awuruddak vewa!
If you prefer to wish someone a Happy New Year formally in Tamil, which is another widely spoken language in Sri Lanka, you can say the following:
Tamil: இனிய புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
English Translation: “Iniya puthaandu vaazhthukkal!”
Feel free to use this sample sentence to accompany your wishes:
Wishing you a wonderful New Year filled with prosperity and happiness. Iniya puthaandu vaazhthukkal!
Informal Ways to Say Happy New Year
Informal greetings are perfect when wishing friends, family, or individuals with whom you share a close relationship. Sri Lankan culture fosters warm and friendly interactions, making informal expressions a great choice. Here are a few informal ways to say Happy New Year in Sri Lanka:
- “අලුත් අවුරුදු කේවා!” (Aluth awurudu kewa!)
English Translation: “Happy New Year!”
Usage: This is the most common phrase used to wish people a Happy New Year in an informal setting. Feel free to use it with friends, family, or colleagues you share a close bond with. - “ඔයාට සුභ අලුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා!” (Oyata subha aluth awuruddak vewa!)
English Translation: “Wishing you a Happy New Year!”
Usage: This phrase allows you to express your heartfelt wishes for the New Year to someone you are close to. - “ඔයාට වඩා හොඳම අවුරුද්දක් වේවා!” (Oyata wadaa hondama awuruddak vewa!)
English Translation: “Wishing you the best New Year!”
Usage: Use this phrase to convey your wishes for a fantastic and successful year ahead to a dear friend or family member.
Remember, these informal phrases can be customized based on your relationship with the recipient and the level of familiarity you share.
Tips and Examples to Make Your New Year Greetings Memorable
If you want to add a personal touch to your New Year greetings, consider the following tips and examples:
- Use the recipient’s name: Including the person’s name in your greeting shows that you value their individuality. For example, “Wishing you, John, a joyful New Year filled with love and laughter.”
- Reflect on the past year: Mentioning something positive from the previous year shows thoughtfulness. For instance, “Thank you for your support and friendship in the past year. Here’s to many more wonderful memories in the New Year.”
- Focus on hopes and aspirations: Express your wishes for the future, such as good health, success, and happiness. For example, “May the coming year bring you great success in your career and abundant happiness in all aspects of life.”
Conclusion
Wishing someone a Happy New Year in Sri Lanka is a heartwarming gesture that showcases your respect and fondness for the country’s cultural intricacies. Whether you choose the formal Sinhala or Tamil phrases or opt for the more casual expressions, your genuine wishes for happiness and prosperity will surely be appreciated. Remember to personalize your greetings and let your warm sentiments shine through as you welcome the New Year together with your loved ones.
