Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| с Рождество́м | s Roždestvóm |
| с Рождество́м Христо́вым | s Roždestvóm Xristóvym |
| Весёлого Рождества́ | Vesjólovo Roždestvá |
| Счастли́вого Рождества́ | Sčastlívovo Roždestvá |
In Russia, с Рождеством is used to celebrate the religious holiday, which is observed on January 7th according to the Julian calendar. The more common idiomatic way to say 'Merry Christmas' in Russian is с Рождеством.
What does it mean word for word?
The standard greeting с Рождеством literally translates to 'with Christmas'.
Which one should you use?
Весёлого Рождества (Merry Christmas) is a direct translation of the English sentiment, whereas с Рождеством is the more common idiomatic way to say 'Merry Christmas' in Russian. С Рождеством Христовым! is a longer form widely used in religious contexts throughout Russia.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding 'Христовым' (Christ's) to the phrase makes it more formal and traditionally religious.
How do you pronounce it?
s Roždestvóm
When do people say it?
In religious contexts throughout Russia, С Рождеством Христовым! is widely used.
Did you know?
- While с Рождество́м is used for the religious holiday, most Russians prioritize the greeting С Новы́м Го́дом (Happy New Year) as the primary winter celebration.
- The greeting с Рождество́м is often accompanied by the custom of eating кутья, a ritual grain pudding made of wheat, honey and poppy seeds.
- The long form С Рождеством Христовым is often paired with the phrase Христос родился (Christ is born) as a traditional call-and-response.
Examples in context
- Привет, Дима! С Рождеством! Как ты проведешь праздники?Hi, Dima! Merry Christmas! How will you spend the holidays?
- Уважаемый г-н Иванов, поздравляю Вас с Рождеством Христовым и желаю Вам и вашей семье радостных праздников.Dear Mr. Ivanov, I congratulate you on Christmas and wish you and your family joyful holidays.
- С Рождество́м тебя!S Rozhdestvom tebya!Merry Christmas to you!
- Всех поздравляю с Рождество́м.Vsekh pozdravlyayu s Rozhdestvom.I congratulate everyone on Christmas.
- Поздравляю вас с Рождество́м!Pozdravlyayu vas s Rozhdestvom!I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Example conversation
Andrey and Ekaterina are meeting at a festive holiday party.
- Андрей AndreyЕкатерина, с Рождество́м!Ekaterina, s Rozhdestvom!Ekaterina, Merry Christmas!
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо, Андрей! И тебя тоже.Spasibo, Andrey! I tebya tozhe.Thank you, Andrey! And to you too.
- Андрей AndreyТы сегодня отлично выглядишь.Ty segodnya otlichno vyglyadish'.You look great today.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо за комплимент!Spasibo za kompliment!Thank you for the compliment!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry Christmas” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
