Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| Wesołych Świąt | /vɛˈsɔ.wɘx ˈɕfjɔnt/ |
| Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia |
Wesołych Świąt is used as a standalone greeting on cards, in person or in messages, similar to how 'Merry Christmas' is used in English. It is also common to combine this Christmas greeting with a New Year greeting in a single phrase, such as Wesołych Świąt i szczęśliwego Nowego Roku.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Merry Holidays' because Świąt is the genitive plural form of święto (holiday/feast).
Which one should you use?
While Wesołych Świąt is the most common way to say Merry Christmas, Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia is more specific and formal, explicitly mentioning 'the Nativity of the Lord'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the genitive case because it is an elliptical form of Życzę wesołych świąt (I wish [you] merry holidays).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /vɛˈsɔ.wɘx ˈɕfjɔnt/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Poland, the Christmas greeting Wesołych Świąt is often accompanied by the sharing of the opłatek, a thin wafer. People break off a piece of the wafer from one another while exchanging their Christmas wishes.
- In Poland, the Christmas Eve dinner is called Wigilia and is the most important part of the holiday. While Wesołych Świąt is the general greeting, the arrival of the first star in the sky is the traditional signal to start the meal.
- While Wesołych Świąt means 'Merry Holidays', the word święto comes from a root meaning 'holy' or 'sacred'. In ancient Slavic languages, this root was used to describe both religious festivals and things that were spiritually powerful.
Examples in context
- Wesołych Świąt.Merry Christmas.This sentence is a simple way to say 'Merry Christmas' using Wesołych Świąt.Tatoeba #560506 by Bilberry, translation #10485139 by hecko
- Życzę wesołych świąt.I wish you a merry Christmas.This sentence shows how to use the phrase within the full sentence 'I wish you a merry Christmas' using Wesołych Świąt.Tatoeba #553544 by Bilberry, translation #7653919 by CK
- Wesołych świąt i szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!This sentence demonstrates combining the Christmas greeting with a New Year greeting using Wesołych Świąt.Tatoeba #2679998 by Koen, translation #925023 by zvaigzne
- Person A: Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia! Person B: Dziękuję! Wzajemnie!Person A: Merry Christmas! Person B: Thank you! Same to you!
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are saying goodbye at the office before the holiday break.
- MałgorzataKrzysztofie, Wesołych Świąt!Krzysztof, Merry Christmas!
- KrzysztofDziękuję, Małgorzato. Tobie również Wesołych Świąt!Thank you, Małgorzata. Merry Christmas to you too!
- MałgorzataDo zobaczenia po przerwie.See you after the break.
- KrzysztofDo zobaczenia, cześć!See you, bye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry christmas” translations and entries Wesołych Świąt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
