Are you looking for ways to wish someone a Happy New Year in Italian?
New Year’s Day in Italy is a huge deal, just like everywhere else in the West. The new year is typically ushered in with a huge party attended by friends and family members when copious amounts of food and drink are consumed.
In Italy, however, New Year’s Eve festivities kick off as “the night of San Silvestro,” the final evening of the old calendar year. The celebrations are named after San Silvestro, whose feast day is December 31 in the Gregorian calendar.
In addition, “The Coming Year” – a fantastic pop-music event televised nationally on Italian television – is a favorite among many Italians. Listen to some tunes, and don’t miss the countdown to midnight when the champagne is popped open for a toast as the fireworks explode in the sky.
Although the New Year’s celebration varies by location in Italy, the emphasis is always on a lavish spread of delicious food. First course options could include dishes like lasagna or ragù Bolognese and mains like braised beef or sausage.
Sitting down to a full New Year’s meal can take up to half a day, and by the time you’re done, it is already time to say “Happy New Year!” to everyone at the table.
Here are ways to wish someone a Happy New Year in Italian.
How To Say Happy New Year in Italian
So how do you wish someone a Happy New Year in Italian? Let us count the ways!
1. Buon Anno – Happy New Year
Even though the literal translation of this phrase is “good year” (buon anno), it is by far the most common way to wish someone a Happy New Year in Italian.
2. Felice Anno Nuovo – Happy New Year
It’s also likely that you’ll hear “Felice Anno Nuovo!” (“New Year’s Joy”), which translates literally to “Happy New Year.” It’s more commonly used in writing – as in greeting cards – than in actual conversation.
3. ti / Le / vi auguro un buon anno! – I wish you a Happy New Year!
You can begin the statement with ti / Le / vi auguro (“I hope you…”) if you want to direct the greeting to a specific person or group of people:
• When greeting friends and family you say “Ti auguro un buon anno!” (informal)
• If you are addressing people you don’t know well, such as elders or authority figures, you say “Le auguro un buon anno!” (formal)
• If you greet more than one person or a group, you say “Vi auguro un buon anno!” (plural)
4. Buon anno a te / Lei / voi — Happy New Year to you!
You can also use the greeting “Happy New Year to you!” by putting the words “…a te / Lei / voi” at the end of “Buon Anno.”
• For friends or family, it’s “Buon anno a te!” (informal)
• For people you don’t know well, such as elders or authority figures, you say “Buon anno a Lei!” (formal)
• If you are addressing more than one person or a group, say “Buon anno a voi!” (plural)
How To Respond to “Buon anno!”
A popular answer to “Buon anno!” as well as any of the wishes and greetings mentioned above can be followed with “Anche a te / Lei / voi!” or “Altrettanto!” which translates to “And to you!” or “Same to you,” respectively.
Buon anno, (name here)! – Happy New Year, (name here)!
Responses:
• Altrettanto! – And to you!
• Grazie, altrettanto! – Thank you, same to you!
• Grazie, anche a te! – Thank you, you too! (informal)
• Grazie, anche a Lei! – Thank you, you too! (formal)
New Year Wishes in Italian
• Auguri per un felice 2023 – Best wishes for a happy 2023!
• Buon anno! Auguri per un felice 2022! – Happy New Year! Best wishes for a happy 2023!
• Auguri per un prospero anno nuovo! – Best wishes for a prosperous new year.
• Auguri per un sereno anno nuovo! – Best wishes for a serene new year.
** Although this is a universal well-wish, it might be more meaningful if you know that the recipient has had a challenging year.
• Buon anno a te e tutta la tua famiglia! – Happy new year to you and the whole family!
This is an informal expression used to wish someone a Happy New Year in Italian. The more formal version is “Buon Anno a Lei e tutta la sua famiglia.”
Other Words Related to New Year in Italian
• Vigilia di Capodanno – New Year’s Eve
This is the evening before the clock strikes 12 and the New Year begins. The evening before, close friends and family members get together for a meal or celebration, during which they may partake in various end-of-year traditions.
• Giorno di Capodanno – New Year’s Day
In Italian, the first day of the new year is celebrated as Capodanno. It is derived from the Italian terms capo, which means “head,” and d’anno, which means “year” (of the year).
• Brindisi – toast
This is when people at a gathering raise their glasses to drink with other people in honor of the coming year. It’s a common way to say Happy New Year in Italian without speaking.
• Fuoco d’artificio – fireworks
Often used to herald the New Year, fireworks are also set off in various cultures, including Italian, for banishing evil spirits.