boldog karácsonyt
[ˈboldoɡ ˌkɒraːt͡ʃoɲt]
boldog karácsonyt is the Hungarian way to say Merry Christmas.
This phrase is used to offer good wishes during the Christmas season. You can use it as a standalone greeting or as part of a full sentence where the verb kívánok (I wish) is used to complete the sentiment.
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of boldog, which means happy and karácsonyt, which is the word for Christmas in the accusative case.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase, the word for Christmas, karácsonyt, ends in -t because it is the direct object of the implied verb kívánok (I wish). While the person being wished is often omitted in casual speech, using the verb kívánok is the standard way to express the wish.
Did you know?
- In a traditional Hungarian household, the greeting boldog karácsonyt is often exchanged only after the first star appears in the night sky on December 24.
- The word karácsony is uniquely Hungarian and does not share a root with the Latin 'nativity' or English 'Christmas' used in other European languages.
- In Hungary, the main Christmas gift exchange takes place on the evening of December 24, rather than on December 25. This is why boldog karácsonyt is most frequently exchanged during the Christmas Eve dinner.
Examples in context
- Boldog Karácsonyt kívánok önnek.I wish you a Merry Christmas.This sentence shows how to use the phrase with the verb kívánok to wish someone a Merry Christmas.Tatoeba #1308833 by Muelisto, translation #62819 by lilygilder
- Tomi mindenkinek boldog karácsonyt kívánt.Tom wished everybody a merry Christmas.This sentence demonstrates the phrase used in the past tense with the verb kívánt.Tatoeba #7675391 by bandeirante, translation #7653906 by CK
- Boldog karácsonyt! kiabálta a Télapó és nevetett."Merry Christmas!", Santa cried and laughed.This sentence shows the phrase being used as an exclamation.Tatoeba #12938141 by maaster, translation #12938153 by maaster
- Kívánok Önnek és családjának egy boldog karácsonyt!I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!
- Sok boldogságot karácsonyra és az új évre!Many joyous moments for Christmas and the New Year!
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tamás and Anna are exchanging wishes before their Christmas dinner.
- TamásBoldog karácsonyt, Anna!Merry Christmas, Anna!
- AnnaKöszönöm, neked is boldog karácsonyt, Tamás!Thank you, merry Christmas to you too, Tamás!
- TamásBoldog karácsonyt kívánok!I wish you a merry Christmas!
- AnnaNagyon köszönöm!Thank you very much!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry Christmas” translations and entries boldog karácsonyt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
