Счастливого Рождества
Schastlivogo Rozhdestva
Merry Xmas in Russian is Счастливого Рождества (Schastlivogo Rozhdestva).
This phrase is a greeting used to wish someone a happy Christmas holiday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is in the genitive case, which literally translates to 'of happy Christmas'. This is a standard way in Russian to express a wish for something.
Which one should you use?
While Счастливого Рождества is used for Christmas, the much more common and widely celebrated holiday greeting in Russia is С Новым годом! (Happy New Year!).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Счастливого Рождества uses the genitive case.
How do you pronounce it?
Schastlivogo Rozhdestva
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'Merry Christmas' in December, many Russians say Счастливого Рождества in January because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar.
- In many Russian homes, the 'New Year tree' is actually a Christmas tree, but the festive decorations and celebrations are primarily focused on the arrival of January 1st.
- In Russia, the greeting Счастливого Рождества is often secondary to the 'New Year' celebrations, which include a secular version of Father Christmas called Дед Мороз or 'Grandfather Frost'.
Examples in context
- С Рождеством! Желаю вам процветания в новом году!Merry Christmas! I wish you prosperity in the New Year!
- Счастливого Рождества тебе и твоей семье!Schastlivogo Rozhdestva tebe i tvoey sem'ye!Merry Christmas to you and your family!
- Я хочу пожелать вам Счастливого Рождества.Ya khochu pozhelat' vam Schastlivogo Rozhdestva.I want to wish you a Merry Christmas.
- Счастливого Рождества, дорогие друзья!Schastlivogo Rozhdestva, dorogiye druz'ya!Merry Christmas, dear friends!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are saying goodbye before the holiday break.
- Ольга OlgaСергей, Счастливого Рождества!Sergey, Schastlivogo Rozhdestva!Sergey, Merry Christmas!
- Сергей SergeyСпасибо, Ольга! И тебя тоже.Spasibo, Ol'ga! I tebya tozhe.Thanks, Olga! You too.
- Ольга OlgaУвидимся в следующем году.Uvidimsya v sleduyushchem godu.See you next year.
- Сергей SergeyДо встречи, хороших праздников!Do vstrechi, khoroshikh prazdnikov!See you, have a great holiday!
