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Russian words and phrases at Christmas and New Year

The most anticipated and loved holiday in Russia is

НОВЫЙ ГОД [novi god] -New Years Eve.

To wish somebody a happy New Year, say

С НОВЫМ ГОДОМ! [s novym godam!] Happy new year!

As the Cremlin Clock strikes 12-no joke, every household will have a live broadcast from the Red Square- you’ll hear Russians shouting

С НОВЫМ ГОДОМ! С НОВЫМ СЧАСТЬЕМ! [s novym godam! S novym shchastyem!] Happy new year! Happy new happiness!

As the Soviet legacy is slowly becoming a thing of the past, Russians are warming more and more towards

РОЖДЕСТВО [razhdiestvoh] Christmas,

which Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on the 7th of January!

ВЕСЁЛОГО РОЖДЕСТВА! [vyesyolava razhduestva!] Merry Christmas!

The Russians are not too bothered about Christmas gifts, but we wouldn’t advise you to pay urn up at a New Year’s Eve party if you don’t have

НОВОГОДНИЙ ПОДАРОК [navagodniy pahdahrahk] New Years present.

Did you know that Russian Santa Claus is actually called Father Frost? That’s

ДЕД МОРОЗ [dyed mahros] in Russian.

And, he is not accompanied by the Reindeer. He has a granddaughter called

СНЕГУРОЧКА [snyegoorachka] Snowgirl

to help him.

Just like we do over here, Russians looove some snow over the Christmas holidays.

СНЕГ [snyeg] snow❄️❄️❄️

And of course, they never forget about Christmas tree, which is

ЁЛКА [yolkah].

НОВОГОДНИЕ РАСПРОДАЖИ [navagodneeyeh raspradahzhi]

are now part and parcel of Christmas festivities. They usually start after NYE and are hence called New Year sales.