In Italy, Christmas is a very important holiday that the country celebrates. To wish your Italian friends and family a Merry Christmas, you can say "Buon Natale!" which means "Merry Christmas!" in Italian.
So how do you say Merry Christmas in Italian?
"Buon Natale"
- The meaning of Buon Natale is "Merry Christmas", and it is the most common way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian.
- "Buon" means good
- "Natale" means Christmas.
- The standard way to wish someone something, you use the word "buon". Like when you wish someone a happy birthday you say: Buon Compleano
- Natale comes from the latin "natalis", which means "birth".
- Dies Natalis originally only meant 'birthday', as seen in the expression Natale di Roma (Rome's Birthday). However, the holiday came to be known as Christmas in Italy very rapidly after its Christian debut!
- So, Buon Natale is literally translated as "Good Christmas".
- This phrase can be used for both family and friends, and it is the most universal way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian.
How do you use the phrase Buon Natale?
You can wish someone a Merry Christmas with the phrase Buon Natale, like you do in English. For example:
- "Ti auguro un Buon Natale!" - I wish you a Merry Christmas!
- You can also use it when sending cards or letters. Or, if you're feeling extra festive and creative, try incorporating the phrase into a festive poem or carol!
- If you want to make a toast during the holiday season, say ‘Buon Natale.’
- If you're giving someone a gift, you can also wish them ‘Buon Natale.’
"Auguri di Buon Natale!"
- This phrase means "Happy Christmas Wishes!", and it's often used to express a more formal or sincere wish than just Buon Natale.
- "Auguri" means wishes, and "di" is a preposition that connects the phrase to the noun: Natale (Christmas).
- So it's literally "Wishes of Good Christmas".
- This phrase can be used for people you know well or are close to, like family members and good
- This phrase is derived from the Latin phrase "augurium" which means “to wish a good omen”.
"Felice Natale!"
- The meaning of this phrase is "Merry Christmas!", and it's the most informal way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian. It can be used for friends and family alike
“Buone Feste!”
- This is a more general phrase which basically means “Happy Holidays !” and it can be used to wish someone well during the festive season, regardless of which holiday they celebrate.
- Buone means ‘good’ and feste means ‘holidays’ or ‘festivals’, hence the phrase Buone Feste.
- It is also commonly used as a greeting throughout the entire month of December!
Auguri
- You can also just use the word Auguri when wishing somone a Merry Christmas .
- It is a general term for wishing someone well.
- You can use it on a birthday, holidays, and even new years.
- Auguri comes from the Latin word Augurium, which means "to wish good omen".
- So, when you say “auguri” to someone, you are essentially wishing them good luck and prosperity.
Other useful words related to Christmas in Italy
| Babbo Natale | = Santa Claus or the Father of Christmas |
| Albero di Natale | = Christmas tree |
| Elfi | = Elves |
| Renne | = reindeer |
| Slitta | =sleigh |
| Decorazioni | = decorations (for the Christmas tree, table, your house, etc) |
| Presepe | = Nativity scene / crib |
| Palline di Natale | = Christmas bubbles |
| Brindisi | = drinking toast |
| Regalo / regalo di Natale | = present / Christmas present / Christmas gift |
| Biglietto d’auguri | = greeting card |
| Vigilia | =Christmas Eve |
| Messa di Mezzanotte | =Midnight mass |
| Notte di Natale | =the night before Christmas (24th/25th December) |
| Pranzo di Natale | = Christmas lunch |
| Giorno di Natale | = Christmas day (25th of December) |
| Santo Stefano | = St Stephen’s day / Boxing Day (26th of December) |
| Befana | = Epiphany |
| Notte di Capodanno | = New Years’ Eve |
How to write a Christmas Card in Italy?
Here is an example:
Cara/o (Nome),
Ti auguro Buon Natale e un Felice Anno Nuovo! Spero che queste feste portino gioia nella tua vita. Divertiti con i tuoi cari e goditi le decorazioni festose.
Con affetto,
(Your Name)
This means:
Dear (Name),
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope these holidays bring joy to your life. Have fun with your loved ones and enjoy the festive decorations.
With love,
(Your Name)
Lastly, don't forget to say “Arrivederci” when saying goodbye to your loved ones during the festivities.
Arrivederci! = Goodbye!
Buone Feste a tutti e Buon Anno!! = Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!
Buon Natale! = Merry Christmas!
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