How to Say Merry Christmas in Spanish - (2024)

If you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish, there are several traditional ways to do it. One of the most common and popular phrases is “¡Feliz Navidad!” which translates to “Merry Christmas!” This phrase is widely recognized and used throughout the Spanish-speaking world, so it’s a safe bet for wishing someone a happy holiday season.

Another common way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish is to say “¡Felices Fiestas!” which means “Happy Holidays!” This phrase is more general and can be used to wish someone a happy holiday season regardless of their specific religious beliefs or traditions.

Traditional Spanish Christmas Greetings

If you want to wish someone a Happy New Year in Spanish, you can say “¡Próspero Año Nuevo!” which means “Prosperous New Year!” This phrase is often used in conjunction with the Christmas holiday to wish someone a happy and prosperous new year.

In addition to these traditional phrases, there are many other ways to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in Spanish. Some other popular phrases include:

• ¡Feliz Navidad! – This is the most common way to say “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. It literally translates to “Happy Nativity.”
• Te deseo una Feliz Navidad – which means “I wish you a Merry Christmas”
• ¡Felices Fiestas! – This is a more general greeting that translates to “Happy Holidays.” It can be used during the Christmas season as well as other holidays.
• ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! – This means “Happy New Year” and can be used to wish someone a prosperous new year.
• Mis mejores deseos para esta Navidad – This translates to “My best wishes for this Christmas” and is a warm way to express your holiday greetings.
• Que pases lindo esta Navidad – This means “I hope you have a nice Christmas” and is a friendly way to wish someone a happy holiday.
• Que tengas una Navidad llena de amor y felicidad – This translates to “I hope you have a Christmas full of love and happiness” and is a heartfelt way to wish someone a Merry Christmas.
• Mis mejores deseos para ti y tu familia – This means “My best wishes for you and your family” and is a kind way to express your holiday greetings.

There are many different ways to wish someone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in Spanish. Whether you use one of the traditional phrases or come up with your own, the most important thing is to convey your warm wishes and holiday spirit to those around you.

Spanish Christmas Vocabulary

If you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish, it is important to know some common phrases and words related to the holiday season. Here are some essential phrases and vocabulary that will come in handy during the Christmas season.

Common Phrases and Words

If you have Spanish-speaking friends or family, it’s always a nice gesture to wish them a Merry Christmas in Spanish. Here are some common Christmas wishes and expressions in Spanish that you can use:

• Feliz Navidad: This is the most common way to say “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. It literally means “Happy Nativity” and is used to wish someone a happy holiday season.
• ¡Felices Fiestas!: This phrase means “Happy Holidays” and is used to convey good wishes for the entire holiday season, not just Christmas.
• Papá Noel: This is the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. He is the one who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
• Regalos: This word means “gifts” and is an important part of the Christmas season. People exchange gifts with family and friends during the holiday season.
• Villancicos: These are Christmas carols in Spanish. They are an important part of the Christmas tradition in Spanish-speaking countries.

Christmas Objects and Symbols

• Árbol de Navidad: This is the Christmas tree. It is a common decoration during the holiday season.
• La Estrella: This is the star that is placed at the top of the Christmas tree.
• El Bastón de Caramelo: This is the candy cane. It is a popular Christmas treat.
• El Pavo: This is the turkey. It is a common dish served during Christmas dinner.
• Belén: This is the nativity scene. It is a common decoration during the Christmas season.
• Tarjeta de Navidad: This is a Christmas card. It is a way to send good wishes to family and friends during the holiday season.
• Las Castañas: These are chestnuts. They are a popular treat during the Christmas season.
• Turrón: This is a type of nougat candy. It is a traditional Christmas treat in Spain.
• “Nochebuena” refers to Christmas Eve, a significant occasion for family gatherings and festive celebrations in many Spanish-speaking cultures.
• “Cascabeles” are jingles or sleigh bells, often associated with the sound of Santa’s sleigh during Christmas time.
• “El Día de Reyes” translates to Three Kings’ Day, which is celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men to visit the baby Jesus.
• “La corona de Navidad” means the Christmas wreath, a traditional decoration symbolizing eternity and everlasting life, often adorned with candles.
• “Los adornos” simply means decorations, specifically in the context of Christmas, referring to the ornaments and embellishments used to adorn Christmas trees and homes.
• “El muérdago” is mistletoe, a plant hung during the Christmas season under which people are customarily expected to kiss.
• “El mazapán” refers to marzipan, a sweet confection often shaped into Christmas figures and enjoyed as a traditional holiday treat.
• “El calendario de adviento” is the Advent calendar, a special calendar used to count down the days in the Advent season leading up to Christmas, often containing chocolates or small gifts behind each numbered door.

Learning Spanish vocabulary related to Christmas is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and connect with Spanish-speaking friends and family. With these common phrases and words, you’ll be able to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish with confidence. You can download the free PDF here!

Christmas Wishes and Expressions in Spanish

Remember that in Spanish, it’s common to use the informal “tú” when speaking to friends and family, and the formal “usted” when speaking to someone you don’t know well or who is older than you. You can also add adjectives like “caluroso” (warm) or “afectuoso” (affectionate) to make your greetings even more personal.

There are many ways to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish, and the above expressions are just a few examples. Whatever you choose to say, make sure it comes from the heart and is sincere.

Celebrating Christmas with Spanish Speakers

If you are planning to celebrate Christmas with Spanish speakers, it’s important to know how to wish them Merry Christmas in Spanish. Depending on the situation, there are different ways to greet someone.

Greetings for Family and Friends

When wishing Merry Christmas to family and friends, you can use the following phrases:

• ¡Feliz Navidad! (Merry Christmas!)
• ¡Feliz Nochebuena! (Merry Christmas Eve!)
• ¡Felices vacaciones! (Happy holidays!)
• ¡Que pases una feliz Navidad! (Have a merry Christmas!)

It’s common to celebrate Christmas with family and friends in Spanish-speaking cultures. During this time, people gather together to enjoy a meal, exchange gifts, and decorate their homes with Christmas ornaments.

Professional and Formal Situations

In professional or formal situations, it’s important to use a more formal greeting. You can use the following phrases:

• Le deseo una Feliz Navidad. (I wish you a Merry Christmas.)
• Espero que pase una Feliz Navidad. (I hope you have a Merry Christmas.)
• Brindo por una Feliz Navidad. (I toast to a Merry Christmas.)

It’s important to be respectful and professional when communicating with colleagues or business partners. While Christmas is not a universal holiday, it’s still important to acknowledge and respect the traditions of others.

Download a Christmas card in Spanish to send to friends, family or classmates in your Spanish class! (JPG format)

Knowing how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish is an important part of celebrating the holiday with Spanish speakers. Whether you’re with family and friends or in a professional setting, using the appropriate greeting can help you connect with others and show your respect for their culture and traditions.

How do you respond to Feliz Navidad?

When someone wishes you “Feliz Navidad,” there are a few ways you can respond. Here are some common responses:

• ¡Gracias! (Thank you!)
• ¡Igualmente! (Likewise!)
• ¡Felices fiestas! (Happy holidays!)
• ¡Que tengas una feliz Navidad también! (May you have a Merry Christmas too!)

It’s important to note that the response you choose may depend on the context and your relationship with the person who wishes you a Merry Christmas. For example, if it’s a close friend or family member, you might respond with something more personal like “¡Igualmente! ¡Que la pases muy bien!” (Likewise! Have a great time!).

If you’re not sure what to say, don’t worry too much. Simply saying “¡Gracias!” is always a polite and appropriate response.

Responding to “Feliz Navidad” is a great opportunity to spread holiday cheer and connect with others. So don’t be afraid to share your own holiday wishes and express your gratitude for those who wish you a Merry Christmas in Spanish.

Wishing someone a happy holidays in Spanish is a great way to show your appreciation and spread some cheer during the holiday season. Use these phrases to make the most of your holiday greetings in Spanish.

Sing Christmas songs in Spanish here!