Feliz Navidad
standard
In Argentina people say Feliz Navidad for "Merry Christmas". Felices Fiestas covers Christmas and New Year together and is very common in messages. It is also called Que tengas una linda Navidad.
Meaning: Christmas greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Feliz Navidad | standard |
| Felices Fiestas | also used |
| Que tengas una linda Navidad | warm |
The main celebration is on the night of December 24th, called Nochebuena, with a midnight toast. Greetings are often sent as Feliz Navidad or Felices Fiestas.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Que tengas una linda Navidad the verb tengas is the tú form of the subjunctive and is used in Argentina too, alongside the vos form tengás in casual speech.
When do people say it?
Because December is summer in Argentina, Christmas dinner can be a cold meal such as vitel toné or a barbecue, and fireworks are common at midnight.
Did you know?
- Christmas falls in midsummer in Argentina, so many families celebrate outdoors and stay up until late.
Examples in context
- ¡Feliz Navidad a todos!Merry Christmas to everyone!
- Les deseo Felices Fiestas.I wish you happy holidays.
- Esta noche es Nochebuena.Tonight is Christmas Eve.
Example conversation
Inés calls her grandparents, Abuela Rosa and Abuelo Pedro, from Rosario at midnight on December 24th.
- Inés¡Feliz Navidad, abuelos!Merry Christmas, grandparents!
- Abuela Rosa¡Feliz Navidad, querida!Merry Christmas, dear!
- Abuelo PedroQue tengan unas lindas fiestas.Have a lovely holiday.
