How to Say Happy New Year in Spanish

If you’re looking to wish someone a happy new year in Spanish, there are a number of traditional phrases you can use. Here are some common greetings that you can use with friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances.

There are a number of traditional greetings you can use when wishing someone a happy new year in Spanish. Whether you’re speaking with friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances, these phrases can help you convey your well-wishes for the upcoming year.

Traditional New Year’s Greetings in Spanish

• Common Phrases for Friends and Family

When it comes to wishing friends and family members a happy new year in Spanish, there are a number of phrases you can use. One of the most common phrases is “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!” which translates to “Happy New Year!” You can also use the phrase “Te deseo un próspero año nuevo” which means “I wish you a prosperous new year.” Other common phrases include “Mis mejores deseos en este año” which means “My best wishes for this year” and “Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo” which means “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

• Formal Greetings for Coworkers and Acquaintances

If you’re looking to wish a coworker or acquaintance a happy new year in Spanish, it’s important to use a more formal greeting. One common phrase is “Próspero Año Nuevo” which translates to “Prosperous New Year.” You can also use the phrase “Muchas felicidades” which means “Many congratulations.”

It’s important to note that when wishing someone a happy new year in Spanish, it’s common to include the word “feliz” which means “happy” or “joyful.” This word is often used to convey a positive and upbeat tone.

Cultural Traditions and Celebrations

New Year’s Spanish traditions in Spanish speaking countries

The Spanish-speaking world is known for its vibrant New Year’s celebrations. Each country has its unique way of welcoming the new year, with traditions that have been passed down through generations. One of the most popular traditions is the eating of 12 grapes at midnight, known as “comer uvas” or “las doce uvas de la suerte.” This tradition is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. The grapes must be eaten quickly, one for each chime of the clock, as the bell tolls to mark the start of the new year.

Another popular tradition is the burning of “monigotes” or “año viejo” (burn dolls or old year), which is practiced in several Latin American countries. These dolls are made of paper, cloth, or other materials and are stuffed with firecrackers. They are then burned at midnight to symbolize the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. This tradition is believed to bring good luck, and it is also a way to get rid of negative energy from the past year.

Spain’s Unique Customs

Spain has its unique customs when it comes to celebrating the New Year. One of the most famous is the “Víspera de Año Nuevo” or New Year’s Eve. People gather in public squares to celebrate the arrival of the new year. The most famous celebration takes place in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where thousands of people gather to watch the clock strike midnight and eat the 12 grapes. Afterward, there are fireworks and street parties that go on until the early hours of the morning.

Another unique tradition in Spain is the “Nochevieja” or “old night.” This is the night before New Year’s Day, and it is celebrated with family and friends. People gather for a big dinner, which usually includes seafood, roast lamb, and other traditional dishes. Afterward, they watch the countdown on TV and eat the grapes at midnight. This is followed by more celebrations, including dancing and more food.

Latin American Festivities

Latin America is known for its colorful and lively New Year’s celebrations. In Mexico, people celebrate with fireworks, music, and street parties. They also eat the 12 grapes and make a wish for each grape they eat. In Ecuador, people burn “Años Viejos” (old years), which are effigies made of old clothes, newspapers, and other materials. These effigies represent the negative things from the past year, and burning them is believed to bring good luck.

In Puerto Rico, people celebrate with a big feast that includes roast pork, rice and beans, and other traditional dishes. They also sing and dance to salsa music and watch fireworks. In Venezuela, people celebrate with a big party that goes on until the early hours of the morning. They also eat the 12 grapes and make a wish for each grape they eat.

Symbolism and Wishes for Prosperity

When wishing someone a happy new year in Spanish, it is common to express wishes for health, love, and money. Some common phrases include:

• “Que tengas mucha salud, amor y dinero en el nuevo año” (May you have lots of health, love, and money in the new year).
• “Que el nuevo año te traiga prosperidad y felicidad” (May the new year bring you prosperity and happiness).
• “Que se cumplan todos tus deseos en el nuevo año” (May all your wishes come true in the new year).

Colors and Symbols of Luck

In addition to expressing wishes for health, love, and money, there are also many colors and symbols associated with good luck in Spanish culture. Some of these include:

• Yellow: This color is associated with good luck and prosperity. It is common to wear yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve to bring good luck in the coming year.
• Green: This color is associated with wealth and abundance. Eating lentils on New Year’s Eve is believed to bring financial prosperity in the coming year.
• Lentils: As mentioned above, eating lentils on New Year’s Eve is a common tradition in Spanish culture. The round shape of the lentils is said to represent coins, and eating them is believed to bring financial abundance.
• Underwear: As mentioned above, wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve is believed to bring good luck in the coming year. However, it is also common to wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve to bring love and passion in the coming year.

Overall, there are many ways to express wishes for prosperity and good fortune when wishing someone a happy new year in Spanish. Whether you are hoping for health, love, or money, or incorporating lucky colors and symbols into your celebrations, there are many traditions and customs to choose from.

Download The New Year Spanish Vocabulary PDF here!

New Year Spanish Vocabulary and Phrases

If you’re celebrating the New Year in a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to know some key vocabulary words. Here are a few words to help you get started:

Spanish	English
Año Nuevo	New Year
Celebración	Celebration
Fuegos artificiales	Fireworks
Brindis	Toast
Hacer un brindis	To Toast
Medianoche	Midnight
Resolución	Resolution
¡Salud!	Cheers
Reloj	Clock
Cuenta regresiva	Countdown
Fiesta	Party
Doce (12) en punto	Twelve o’clock
Al filo de la medianoche	Stroke of midnight

What word do Spanish people use for New Year’s Eve?

In Spanish, New Year’s Eve is known as “Nochevieja.” This literally translates to “Old Night,” which is a reference to the fact that the night before the New Year is coming to an end.

New Year’s Greetings in Spanish Pronunciation

If you want to wish someone a Happy New Year in Spanish, there are a few phrases you can use. Here’s how to pronounce them:

• Feliz Año Nuevo (fay-LEES ahn-yoh NWEH-voh): This is the most common way to say “Happy New Year” in Spanish.
• Próspero Año Nuevo (PROS-peh-roh ahn-yoh NWEH-voh): This phrase means “Prosperous New Year” and is also commonly used.
• ¡Feliz Año! (fay-LEES ahn-yoh): This is a shorter version of “Feliz Año Nuevo” and can be used as a greeting.
• ¡Salud! (sah-LOOD): This means “Cheers!” and is often said when making a toast.

Remember that the pronunciation of Spanish can be tricky, so don’t be afraid to practice these phrases before using them in conversation.

New Year’s Resolutions and Toasts in Spanish

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, the Spanish language has a few different ways to express the idea of setting goals for the new year. One common phrase is “propósitos de año nuevo,” which translates to “New Year’s resolutions.” If you want to share your resolutions with someone in Spanish, you could say something like:

• “Este año nuevo, quiero…” (“This new year, I want to…”)
• “Mi propósito para el año nuevo es…” (“My resolution for the new year is…”)
• “Me gustaría…” (“I would like to…”)

Remember that verbs in Spanish change depending on the subject, so make sure to conjugate them correctly. For example, “quiero” means “I want,” but if you want to say “you want,” you would say “quieres.”

Making a Toast at Midnight

If you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve with Spanish-speaking friends or family, you might want to make a toast at midnight to ring in the new year. In Spanish, the word for “toast” is “brindis.” Here are a few phrases you could use to make a toast:

• “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!” (“Happy New Year!”)
• “¡Por un año lleno de salud, amor y felicidad!” (“Here’s to a year full of health, love, and happiness!”)
• “¡Que se cumplan todos tus deseos en el nuevo año!” (“May all your wishes come true in the new year!”)

Traditionally, it’s common to toast with a glass of champagne or sparkling wine at midnight. In Spanish, champagne is called “champán” or “champaña,” and sparkling wine is called “vino espumoso.” Make sure to clink glasses with everyone at the table and take a sip at the same time to bring good luck for the new year.

Remember that New Year’s Eve is a time for renewal and celebration, so don’t be afraid to express your hopes and dreams for the coming year. With a little bit of Spanish vocabulary and a lot of enthusiasm, you can ring in the new year in style.

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