It’s that time of year again when you can hear the same three Christmas songs everywhere, the air smells faintly of cinnamon, and you suddenly remember that your Croatian friends (or that special someone) would probably love to hear you say, “Merry Christmas” in their language.
I’m here to help you learn how to say that, as well as wish somebody a Happy New Year, plus a few extra winter/holiday greetings and phrases thrown in for good measure.
Croatian isn’t exactly the easiest language, with all those consonants in a row that seem impossible to pronounce. Don’t worry, though! I’ve got you covered!
So, let’s jump right in to learn how to say “Merry Christmas” in Croatian but also how to sprinkle in a few other holiday phrases that might just win you a free round of rakija or, at the very least, some smiles of appreciation.
Trust me – Croatians love it when you try, even if you completely butcher the pronunciation. The effort alone will make you a holiday hero.
How to say Merry Christmas in Croatian
In Croatian, you’ve got two main options when it comes to wishing somebody “Merry Christmas,” and the good news is that both are short and sweet and with just the right amount of consonants. Here’s how to say it:
- Sretan Božić (pronounced Sreh-tahn Bo-jeech)
- Čestit Božić (pronounced Ches-teet Bo-jeech)
Sretan Božić is the more common choice in Croatia, and it’s what most people will say. However, some believe that Čestit Božić has a more traditional, old-school Croatian vibe.
I won’t go into debates now regarding which is more “Croat” than the other. Pick any that sounds easier to say – you’ll still be appreciated for trying.
If you’re worried about running into someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas or you want to be more “politically correct,” you can play it safe with Sretni Blagdani (pronounced Sreh-tnee Blahg-dah-nee), which means “Happy Holidays.”
However, going with any of the first two recommendations is what I think you should do: people in Croatia love Christmas and their Christmas greetings, so keeping it formal doesn’t make any sense. I’m yet to meet a single Croatian who doesn’t celebrate Christmas, and I’ve been here for over a decade now.
How to say Happy New Year in Croatian
Once Christmas has passed (and you’ve eaten way too many slices of sarma, fritule, and other traditional Croatian foods), it’s time to ring in the New Year. This means that you will have to try your Croatian language skills once more with a new set of words.
Fortunately, there are no tongue twisters here, so you should have no trouble making yourself understood. Here’s how to say Happy New Year in Croatian:
Sretna Nova Godina! (pronounced Sreh-tna No-va Go-dee-na)
If you want to say both (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year), you just have to combine them and say:
Sretan Bozic i Nova Godina! or Cestit Bozic i sretna Nova Godina!
This combo is perfect if you’re sending a card/text message or greeting someone during that awkward in-between week when everyone’s just waiting for New Year’s Eve.
Other winter-holiday related words in Croatian language
Some other words and phrases related to the holidays will be listed below, but be warned that in some cases you will get a mouthful and probably have a tough time getting them right.
But if you want to take it up a notch (and perhaps challenge yourself), and impress your Croatian friends, here are a few more Croatian words and phrases for the holiday season.
Warning: some of these might make your tongue feel like it’s doing yoga.
Croatian Holiday Words to Impress
| English | Croatian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas tree | Božićno drvce | Bo-jeech-no Drv-tseh |
| Snow | Snijeg | Snee-yeg |
| It’s snowing | Pada snijeg | Pah-dah Snee-yeg |
| Santa Claus | Djed Mraz | Dyehd Mrahz |
| Christmas carols | Božićne pjesme | Bo-jeech-neh Pyehs-meh |
| Winter | Zima | Zee-ma |
| Cold | Hladno | Hlahd-no |
| New Year’s Eve | Stara godina | Stah-rah Go-dee-na |
| Christmas | Bozic | Bo-jeech |
| Fireworks | Vatromet | Vah-troh-meht |
If you can manage Božićno drvce without stumbling, you officially deserve a medal – or at least a hearty high-five from your Croatian pals. But even if you don’t, as I keep saying: people in Croatia will still appreciate the fact that you’re trying!
A Little About Christmas in Croatia
Now that you know some greetings and phrases, let’s get a bit of context and learn why it’s such a big deal that you’re trying: because Christmas in Croatia is a big deal too, with the traditions here mixing faith, family, and plenty of food.
Croatians often attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and the holiday basically begins on December 1st (even though stores lately try to start it in early November) and it stretches from Advent all the way to Epiphany (January 6).
Another thing that Croatians love is their Christmas trees and decorations. However, in some regions, it’s traditional to decorate with wheatgrass grown during Advent as a symbol of new life.
Conclusion
You have all you need to spread some Croatian holiday cheer! You know how to wish somebody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Croatian, as well as a few other words and expressions. You’re a pro!
Is there anything in particular that you’d like to know how to say? Comment down below and I will help you as soon as possible.
Sretan Božić i Nova Godina!