If you’re planning a trip to a French-speaking country or simply want to expand your language skills, learning how to say holidays in French is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to express various holidays, as well as provide tips, examples, and even touch upon regional variations. So, let’s dive in and discover how to express holiday greetings and phrases in French!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Holidays in French
1. Noël – Christmas
Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday in France. It is common to greet people by saying “Joyeux Noël!” which translates to “Merry Christmas!” A more formal way to express this sentiment is “Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Noël !” meaning “I wish you a Merry Christmas!”
2. Le Jour de l’An – New Year’s Day
To express New Year’s Day, you can say “Bonne année !” which means “Happy New Year!” For a more formal tone, you can use “Je vous souhaite une Bonne année !” which is equivalent to “I wish you a Happy New Year!”
3. Pâques – Easter
Easter is known as “Pâques” in French. You can greet someone by saying “Joyeuses Pâques !” which translates to “Happy Easter!” A formal expression for this holiday would be “Je vous souhaite de Joyeuses Pâques !” meaning “I wish you a Happy Easter!”
Informal Ways to Say Holidays in French
1. La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day
When referring to All Saints’ Day in an informal manner, you can simply say “Bonne fête de la Toussaint !” which means “Happy All Saints’ Day!” This expression can be used among relatives, friends, or acquaintances in a casual setting.
2. La Fête du Travail – Labor Day
Labor Day can be expressed informally by saying “Bonne fête du Travail !” which translates to “Happy Labor Day!” This phrase is commonly used in social gatherings or among colleagues.
3. La Saint-Valentin – Valentine’s Day
To refer to Valentine’s Day in an informal way, you can simply say “Bonne Saint-Valentin !” meaning “Happy Valentine’s Day!” This expression is commonly used among friends and loved ones.
Tips and Examples
1. Use the phrase “Je vous souhaite” to convey a formal greeting. For example, “Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Noël !” translates to “I wish you a Merry Christmas!” This phrase adds a polite touch to your holiday greetings.
2. In informal settings, you can omit the “Je vous souhaite” part and directly say the holiday greeting. For example, “Bonne année !” simply means “Happy New Year!”
3. Don’t forget the exclamation mark at the end of holiday greetings. It adds enthusiasm and warmth to your wishes. For instance, “Joyeuses Pâques !” means “Happy Easter!”
4. If you’re unsure whether to use the formal or informal expression, it’s generally better to lean towards the formal side, especially when interacting with people you don’t know well.
Example: Imagine you’re at a formal dinner party during Christmas. You can say, “Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Noël !” to the hosts to wish them a Merry Christmas. This will demonstrate your respect and consideration for the occasion.
5. Regional variations in holiday greetings may exist, but they are not significant. However, in some parts of francophone Canada, people may also use “Fête de Noël” instead of “Noël” to refer to Christmas, but this variation is not widely adopted in France.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have a comprehensive understanding of how to say holidays in French, both formally and informally. Remember to use the phrases “Je vous souhaite” for a formal tone, and omit it for a more casual setting. Whether it’s Noël, le Jour de l’An, or Pâques, you can confidently greet and wish others in French. So, embrace the language, spread holiday cheer, and have incredible conversations during your French-speaking adventures!
