How do you say Happy New Year in French?
The most common way to say “happy new year” in French is Bonne année !. Here are the main options, when to use each, and how to pronounce them.
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Bonne année !
bun ah-NAY
What people actually say, from New Year’s Eve through January.
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Bonne et heureuse année !
bun ay uh-RUHZ ah-NAY
A fuller, traditional wish.
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Meilleurs vœux !
may-YUR VUH
“Best wishes” — on cards and in messages in January.
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Bonne année et bonne santé !
bun ah-NAY ay bun sahn-TAY
“Happy New Year and good health” — the classic pairing.
Use it in a sentence
- Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!Bonne année à toi et à tes proches !
- Best wishes for 2027.Meilleurs vœux pour 2027.
- What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le réveillon ?
- See you next year!On se voit l’année prochaine !
Good to know
Joyeux Nouvel An is understood, but Bonne année is far more common.
It is normal to keep wishing people bonne année the first time you see them, right up to the end of January.
New Year’s Eve is la Saint-Sylvestre, and the late dinner or party that night is le réveillon.
In France, a space goes before ! and ?.