How to Say Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year in Norwegian

If you’re planning to spend your winter holidays in Norway, it wouldn’t hurt to learn how to say Merry Christmas in Norwegian, as well as how to wish somebody A Happy New Year. And this is what we’re going to learn in today’s article!

But wait! Before you memorize these holiday-themed phrases, let me tell you something interesting: in Norway, the holidays aren’t just a season. Oh no, it’s a whole vibe that kicks off in early December and stretches well into January, with goodies like pepperkakehus (gingerbread houses), the mandatory Julenisse (Santa Claus) and much more.

But you can learn about these in my previous article explaining how Christmas is celebrated in Norway.

But now, you’re here to learn how to impress your Norwegian friends (or maybe that special Norwegian lady you met) by showing them that you know how to wish them both Merry Christmas, as well as A Happy New Year in Norwegian. So let’s begin!

How to say Merry Christmas in Norwegian?

God Jul!

It’s simple, it’s festive, and it sounds like “gou-yuul“. Two words that pack all the holiday cheer you’ll need!

It’s pronounced slightly differently than how they say it in Denmark and Sweden, but honestly, nobody’s keeping score. The important thing is that Norwegians will understand you, even if your accent is more “tourist” than “local.”

Now, here’s a little insider tip: in Norway, saying God Jul is the go-to festive wish. Norwegians adore Christmas – so much so that everything in December magically gets a “Jul-” prefix. Julestjerne (Christmas star), julebrus (Christmas soda), julebord (Christmas party)… you get the idea. Use God Jul liberally, and you’re guaranteed to spread smiles.

Don’t be anxious about it and not getting it right! Norwegians will understand what you mean perfectly no matter if you don’t get an A+ with your pronunciation.

The truth is that you would normally be understood by everybody in Norway if you wished them a Merry Christmas in English, because the English language is so widely spoken here… but you do want those bonus points for trying, right?

Also, if you feel the need to be 100% politically correct or unsure about offending someone (highly unlikely in Norway’s Christmas-loving culture), you can opt for a more generic “Happy holidays”: God ferie! It’s not quite as fun, but it works.

How to say Happy New Year in Norwegian?

Gott Nytt År!

Saying Happy New Year in Norwegian is as fun as popping a champagne cork. It’s pronounced goodt-nitt-urr, with a little flair. You might stumble the first few times, but worry not – no one expects perfection. Norwegians will just be thrilled you’re making the effort.

Feeling ambitious? Combine Merry Christmas and Happy New Year into one super-greeting: God Jul og Gott Nytt År! Pronounced: gou-yuul og goodt-nitt-orr. It’s a mouthful, but practice it enough, and you’ll sound like a pro.

And if you want to expand your language skills even more, learn how to say Merry Christmas in Finnish or in Icelandic.

Extra Holiday Phrases in Norwegian to Show Off Your Skills

Why stop at just two greetings? Here are some bonus Norwegian phrases that’ll make you the star of any Christmas gathering:

• Ha en flott juleferie! – Have a great winter vacation! (Pronounced hah ehn float yoo-leh-feh-ree-eh)
• De beste ønsker for det nye året! – Best wishes for the new year! (Pronounced deh beh-steh uh-nsk-er for deh nee-eh oar-eh.)
• Varme ønsker! – Warm wishes! (Pronounced var-meh uh-nsk-er.)
• Sees neste år! – See you next year! (Pronounced seh-ess nes-teh oar.)

You can even sprinkle in these festive words to really shine:

• Jul – Christmas (Pronounced yuul, like “yule”).
• Juletre – Christmas tree (Pronounced yoo-leh-treh.)
• Snø – Snow – Pronounced snuh (short and crisp).
• Julenisse – Santa Claus (Pronounced yoo-leh-nee-seh.)
• Pepperkaker – Gingerbread cookies (Pronounced peh-pehr-kah-ker.)
• Slede – Sleigh. (Pronounced shleh-deh.)
• Gave – Gift. (Pronounced gah-veh.)
• Juledag – Christmas Day (Pronounced yoo-leh-dahg).

Oh, and here’s a fun fact for your next holiday trivia night: Norwegians even have a phrase for “Christmas everything” (jule-alt). Because why not?

As I said, the Norwegian Culture is amazing especially during this time of the year, when everybody gets into the Christmas mood.

Conclusion

Now you know how to wish somebody a Merry Christmas in Norwegian, as well as A Happy New Year.

As I said, if you really feel uncomfortable with your pronunciation – although you shouldn’t, as you will be appreciated for trying – people in Norway will understand the English greetings so you can go with those instead.

With all these in mind, I wish you: God Jul og Gott Nytt År! (Which means, in case you forgot: Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year).