mutlu yıllar
/mutlu jɯllaɾ/from spelling rules
Happy New Year in Turkish is expressed as mutlu yıllar. Wiktionary also lists yeni yılın kutlu olsun.
Meaning: Happy New Year (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| mutlu yıllar | /mutlu jɯllaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| yeni yılın kutlu olsun | /je.ni jɯ.ɫɯn kut.ɫu oɫˈsun/ |
You can use mutlu yıllar as a standalone greeting or incorporate it into a longer sentence, such as Mutlu yıllar dilerim, which means "I wish you happy years".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mutlu yıllar literally translates to "happy years".
Which one should you use?
mutlu yıllar is the most common, concise way to say Happy New Year. In contrast, yeni yılın kutlu olsun is a more complete sentence meaning "May your new year be blessed".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase yeni yılın kutlu olsun uses the optative mood (olsun) to express a wish or a blessing.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mutlu jɯllaɾ/. The /m/ is like [m]uch, /u/ is like c[oo]l, /j/ is like [y]es, /ɯ/ is somewhat like ribb[o]n and /ɾ/ is like the American English pronunciation of a[t]om.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Turkish contexts, the concept of kut used in kutlu was historically tied to the legitimacy of the Khan or ruler to lead the people.
- While mutlu yıllar is used for the Gregorian calendar, Turkey also tracks the Rumi calendar, an old solar calendar used during the Ottoman era that once shifted the new year to March.
- The word mutlu contains the root umut, which means 'hope'. Therefore, when you say mutlu yıllar, you are quite literally wishing someone 'hopeful years'.
Examples in context
- Yeni yılın kutlu olsun, Tom.Happy New Year, Tom.This sentence shows how to use yeni yılın kutlu olsun when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #5426037 by deyta, translation #5425622 by CK
- Hepinize Mutlu Yıllar dilerim.I wish you all a Happy New Year.This sentence demonstrates using mutlu yıllar within a longer wish for a group.Tatoeba #5717228 by duran, translation #5716200 by Hybrid
- Mutlu Noeller ve Mutlu Yıllar Dilerim.I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.This sentence shows mutlu yıllar being used alongside a Christmas greeting.Tatoeba #5717221 by duran, translation #5716203 by Hybrid
- Mutlu Yıllar! Her yeni yıl sana sağlık, mutluluk ve başarı getirsin.Happy New Year! May every new year bring you health, happiness, and success.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Burak and Selin meet at a New Year's Eve party.
- BurakMutlu yıllar, Selin!Happy New Year, Selin!
- SelinSana da mutlu yıllar, Burak.Happy New Year to you too, Burak.
- BurakYeni yıl sana şans getirsin.May the new year bring you luck.
- SelinTeşekkürler, çok naziksin.Thanks, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy new year” translations and entries yeni yılın kutlu olsun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kutlu, mutlu, yeni, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
