з Різдво́м
z Rizdvóm
Merry Christmas in Ukrainian is з Різдво́м (z Rizdvóm). If unsure, use з Різдво́м. Wiktionary also lists з Різдво́м Христо́вим (z Rizdvóm Xrystóvym).
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| з Різдво́м | z Rizdvóm |
| з Різдво́м Христо́вим | z Rizdvóm Xrystóvym |
In Ukrainian, the phrase is used as a greeting by saying 'With Christmas!' rather than using an adjective like 'merry'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase starts with the preposition з, which means "with".
Which one should you use?
The standard form is з Різдво́м, while the longer form з Різдво́м Христо́вим adds the adjective Христовим (Christ's) to the noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In western Ukraine, the greeting З Різдвом Христовим тобі! is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The longer form з Різдвом Христовим adds the adjective Христовим (Christ's) to the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
z Rizdvóm
When do people say it?
A traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner is known as Святвечір, and Ukrainian carols are called колядки.
Did you know?
- In some traditional rural areas, the greeting is linked to the ritual of 'колядування', where people go door-to-door to exchange wishes for a good harvest.
- The greeting з Різдво́м is often paired with the traditional Christmas Eve feast, Святвечір, which consists of twelve meatless dishes.
- The word Різдво comes from a root meaning 'birth', making the phrase a literal celebration of the birth of Christ rather than a 'merry' state of mind.
Example sentences for Ukrainian are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry christmas” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
