Ways to say it
| Dutch |
|---|
| vrolijk kerstfeest |
| prettig kerstfeest |
These phrases are used to offer good wishes during the Christmas season. You may also encounter the shorter, more casual spoken version Fijne kerst! For a broader greeting, Fijne Feestdagen! means "Happy Holidays!" Other common variations include using Fijne (meaning "nice" or "enjoyable") or simply Kerst (the Dutch word for "Christmas").
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase vrolijk kerstfeest literally translates to "cheerful Christmas feast".
Which one should you use?
vrolijk kerstfeest is an enthusiastic way to wish someone a merry Christmas. In contrast, prettig kerstfeest translates to "pleasant Christmas feast" and is slightly more formal, making it more common in written greeting cards.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase within a sentence to wish someone a merry Christmas, such as "I wish you a merry Christmas", you must include the indefinite article een (a) before the phrase: een vrolijk kerstfeest.
Did you know?
- While prettig now means 'pleasant' in a holiday greeting, it evolved from an Old Dutch word meaning 'boastful' or 'cunning'.
- The word kerst itself is a shortened form of the name of Christ, much like how 'Xmas' functions in English.
- The Dutch language uses the word feest in kerstfeest to emphasize the festival or banquet aspect of the holiday rather than just the date.
Examples in context
- Vrolijk kerstfeest voor u ook.Merry Christmas to you, too.This sentence is useful for responding to someone else's holiday wishes.Tatoeba #9499948 by Micsmithel, translation #5736627 by CM
- Ik wens u een vrolijk kerstfeest.I wish you a merry Christmas.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase when expressing a wish to someone.Tatoeba #9491303 by Micsmithel, translation #7653919 by CK
- Vrolijk kerstfeest voor u en uw familie.Merry Christmas to you and your family.This sentence shows how to include family members in your Christmas wishes.Tatoeba #9525930 by Micsmithel, translation #5679146 by CK
- Fijne Kerst! Hoe vier jij Kerst?Merry Christmas! How do you celebrate Christmas?
- Prettige Kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
- Hartelijk dank. Ik wens jou ook een fijne Kerst en een gelukkig Nieuwjaar!Thank you very much. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well!
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa and Daan are saying goodbye after a Christmas party.
- LisaVrolijk kerstfeest, Daan!Merry Christmas, Daan!
- DaanDank je, Lisa. Jij ook!Thank you, Lisa. You too!
- LisaGeniet van de feestdagen.Enjoy the holidays.
- DaanDat ga ik doen. Tot ziens!I will. See you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry Christmas” translations and entries vrolijk kerstfeest, prettig kerstfeest, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kerstfeest, prettig, vrolijk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
