새해
saehae[sʰɛɦɛ]
The Korean phrase for "new year" is 새해 (saehae).
새해 is used to refer to the year following the current year. If you are specifically referring to the Lunar New Year holiday, you should use 설날 instead.
Meaning: year following the current year (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 새해 is composed of 새, meaning "new" and 해, meaning "year".
Which one should you use?
While 새해 refers to the new year itself, 설날 is the term used specifically for the Lunar New Year holiday.
How do you pronounce it?
saehae
When do people say it?
The phrase 새해 복 많이 받으세요 is the standard, polite way to say "Happy New Year" in Korean, while the casual version 복 많이 받아 is used with people you are close to.
Did you know?
- Korean speakers use two different calendars, meaning they may celebrate 새해 twice: once on January 1st and again on 설날.
- In Korea, the greeting 새해 복 많이 받으세요 is phrased as a command meaning 'Please receive many blessings', rather than a wish for happiness.
- During the Lunar New Year, children often receive 'pocket money' called 세뱃돈, which is a direct result of the formal greetings exchanged during the holiday.
Examples in context
- 새해 복 많이 받아.Happy New Year!This sentence is useful for seeing how to wish someone a happy new year using 새해.Tatoeba #8418566 by Eunhee, translation #361350 by blay_paul
- 새해 복 많이 받으세요!May you receive many blessings in the New Year!
- 설날에는 가족과 함께 행복한 시간을 보내세요!Spend a happy time with your family during Lunar New Year!
- 새해 복 많이 받아!Get lots of blessings in the New Year!
- 올해도 복 많이 받아!Receive many blessings this year too!
- 새해에는 건강하길 바라요.saehaeneun geonganghagil barayo.I hope you are healthy in the new year.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their resolutions at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon새해에는 무엇을 하고 싶어요?saehaeneun mueoseul hago sipeoyo?What do you want to do in the new year?
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨는요?dohyeon ssi-neunyo?How about you, Dohyun?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 운동을 시작할 거예요.jeoneun undongeul sijakhal geoyeyo.I am going to start exercising.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 좋은 생각이에요!jeongmal joeun saenggagieyo!That is a really great idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “new year” translations and entries 새해, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
