By Nicolas Gambardella
It is that time of the year again. Although the “modern” celebrations are supposed to be of relevance for Christian only, this is really a celebration of the solstice (whether the summer or the winter one depending on the side of the globe you are living in). So let’s wish each other a merry day.
Several web pages list ways of saying Merry Christmas in many languages. However, those pages are generally incomplete, sometimes incorrect (I loved the one that wrote “Martha snores” instead of Merry Christmas in a minority language). Here, I list all the Merry Christmas I could collect, with links to the respective Wikipedia pages. I tried to present them in the original script as well as the latin one, although some are hard to write in Unicode.
Please contact me if you disagree with one of my choices, or if you are aware of a missing entry. The entries I consider validated (using various sources) are in boldface.
Acholi
Uganda
Krismasi mkunjufu
Afrikaans
South Africa, Namibia
Geseënde Kersfees
Ahtna (central)
Alaska
C’ehwggelnen Dzaen
Akan
Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin
Afishapa
Albanian
Albania, Kosovo
Gëzuar Krishtlindjet
Aleut
Native American, Alaska
Kamgan Ukudigaa
Alsatian
France
E güeti Wïnâchte
Alutiiq/Sugpiak
Native American
Nunaniqsaakici Aʀusistuami
Amharic
Ethiopia
Melikam Gena
መልካም ገና
Apachean
Apache, Navajo
Gozhqq Késhmish
Arabic (yet to be developed into different forms)
Eid Milad Majid
عيد ميلاد مجيد
Aragonese
Spain
Feliz nadal
Armenian
Armenia
Shnorhavor Surb Tsnund
Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ
Aromanian
Balkans
Cărciun hărios
Ashanti
Ghana
afehyia pa
Assamese
India (Assam)
meri khristmas
মেৰী খ্রীষ্টমাচ
Asturian
Spain
Bones Navidae
Astur-leonese
Spain
Felís Ñavidá
Aymara
Peru, Bolivia, Chile
Sooma nawira-ra
Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan
Milad bayramınız mübarək
Bambara/Bamanankan
Mali
Ala ka Noeli diya(?)
Basque
France, Spain
Eguberri on
Batak-Karo
Indonesia
Selamat wari Nata
Bavarian
Germany
Šene Veinåhd
Belarusian
Belarus
z Kaljádami
З Калядамі
Bemba
Zambia, Dem Rep Congo, Tanzania, Bostwana
Kristu abe nenu muli ino nshiku nkulu ya Mwezi
Bengali
Bangladesh, India
shubho bôṛodin
শুভ বড়দিন
Srećan Božić Berber (orig alph is neo-Tifinagh)
MENA
Tameghra tameggazt
ⵜⴰⵎⴻⵖⵔⴰ ⵜⴰⵎⴻⴳⴳⴰⵣⵜ
Bikol/Bicolano
Philippines
Maogmang Pasko
Bildts
Netherlands
Noflike Korsttydsdagen
Bislama
Vanuatu
Mi wisim yufala eerywan one gutfala Krismes
Blackfoot
Native American
I’Taamomohkatoyiiksistsikomi
ᖱᒣᖳᒐᒉᑊᖿᒪᔪᖱᖽᐧᒡᒧᐧᖾᒍ
Bosnian
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Srećan Božić
Breton
France
Nedeleg laouen
Bulgarian
Bulgaria
Vesela Koleda
Весела Коледа
Burmese
Myanmar
pyawshwinsaw hkarahchcamaat hpyitparhcay
ပျော်ရွှင်သောခရစ္စမတ်ဖြစ်ပါစေ
Cantonese
China
Seng Dan Fai Lok
聖誕快樂
Cape Verdean
Cap Verde
Boas Festas
Catalan
Andorra, Spain
Bon Nadal
Cebuano
Philippines
Maayong pasko
Celtic
Wales
Nadolig Llawen
Central Dusun (Bunduliwan)
Malaysia
C’ehwggelnen Dzaen
Chabacano/Chavacano
Philippines
Feliz Pascuas
Chamorro
Guam, Marianas
Felis Nåbidåt
Chechen
Chechen republic
Kerlaču şarca
Керлачу шарца
Cherokee
Native American US
ulihelisdi danisdayohihv
ᎤᎵᎮᎵᏍᏗ ᏓᏂᏍᏓᏲᎯᎲ
Chewa/Chichewa/Nyanja
Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
Khrisimasi yabwino
Cheyenne
Native American, US
Hoesenestotse
Choctaw
Native American, US
Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Chuukese
Caroline Islands
Neekirissimas annim
Coastal Kadazan
Malaysia
Kotobian tadau Krismas
Comanche
Native American, US
Tsaa Nʉʉsukatʉ̱ Waa Himarʉ
Coptic
Egypt
Picristos afmansf
Ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲁⲫⲙⲁⲛⲥⲫ
Cornish
United Kingdom
Nadelik Lowen
Cree
Native American, US
Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
ᒥᑐ ᒪᑯᓯ ᑫᓯᑲᓐᓯ
Corsican
France
Bon Natale
Creek/Muscogee
Native American, US
Afvcke Nettvcakorakko
Crimean Tatar
Crimea
Yañı yılıñız hayırlı olsun
Янъы йылынъыз хайырлы олсун
Croatian
Croatia
Sretan Božić
Czech
Czech Republic
Veselé Vánoce
Cuyonon
Philippines
Malipayeng Paskoa
Dagbani
Ghana
Ni ti Burunya Chou
Danish
Denmark, Germany
Glædelig Jul
Dari/Farsi
Afghanistan
Christmas Mubarak
کرسمس مبارک
Dutch
Belgium, Netherlands
Vrolijk Kerstfeest
Elfdalian
Sweden
Guäd Juäld
Edo
Nigeria
Iselogbe
Emilian-romagnol
Italy
Bon Nadèl
English
United Kingdom, USA
Merry Christmas
Erzya
Russia
Od ije dy Roştova marto
Од ие ды Роштова марто
Esperanto
N/A
Feliĉan Kristnaskon
Estonian
Estonia
Häid jõule
Ewe
Ghana, Togo
Blunya na wo
Extremaduran
Spain
Felís Naviá
Faroese
Denmark
Gleðilig Jól
Fijian
Fidji
Marau na Kerisimasi
Filipino
Philippines
Maligayang Pasko
Flemish
Belgium
vroolek kerstfeejst
vroolek kerstfeejst
Finnish
Finland
Hyvää Joulua
French
France, Monaco, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Africa
Joyeux Noël
Frisian,Frysk,West-Frisian
Netherlands
Noflike Krystdagen
Friulian
Italy
Bon Nadâl
Fula/Fulani
Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Togo, Guinea, Sierra Leone
Jabbama be salla Kirismati
Galician
Spain
Bo Nadal
Gallo
France
Bon Nouao
Garhwali
India
जसीलो क्रिसमस र जसीलो नै विरबै
Garifuna
Caribbean
Buiti fedu
Gascon
France
Gaujos Nadau
Georgian
Georgia
šobas gilocavt
შობას გილოცავთ
German
Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland
Fröhliche Weihnachten
Gitxsan
Canada
Hisgusgitxwsim Ha’niisgats Christ ganhl Ama Sii K’uuhl
Gothic
Faha weiha naht
𐍆𐌰𐌷𐌰 𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌷𐌰 𐌽𐌰𐌷𐍄
Greek
Greece, Cyprus
Kalá hristúyenna
Καλά Χριστούγεννα
Greenlandic
Greenland
Juullimi pilluarit
Guaraní
Paraguay
Avyaitete ahï ko Tupa ray árape qyraï Yy Kapyryin rira
Guarayu
Paraguay
Imboeteipri tasecoi Tupa i vave
Guinea-Bissau Creole
Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Gambia
Imboeteipri tasecoi Tupa i vave
Gujarati
India Ānandī nātāla
આનંદી નાતાલ
Gwichʼin
Alaska
Drin tsal zhit shoh ohlii
Haitian
Creole Haiti
Jwaye Nowèl
Hausa
Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Togo
Barka da Kirsimatikuma
Hawaiian
Hawaii
Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew
Israel
Chag molad sameach
חג מולד שמח
Hiligaynon/Ilonggo
Philippines
Malipayon nga Paskwa
Hindi
India
śubh krismas
शुभ क्रिस्मस
Hmong
China
Nyob zoo hnub yug Yesxus
Hungarian
Hungary
Boldog Karácsonyt
Iban
Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei
Selamat Hari Krismas
Ibidio
Nigeria
Idara ukapade isua
Icelandic
Iceland
Gleðileg jól
Igbo
Nigeria
E keresimesi Oma
Ilocano
Philippines
Naragsak Nga Pasku
Indonesian
Indonesia
Selamat Natal
Inupiaq
Alaska
Quvianaq Agaayuniqpak
Inuktitut
Alaska
Kuvianak Inovia
ᑯᕕᐊᓇᒃ ᐃᓄᕕᐊ
Irish
Ireland
Nollaig Shona
Iroquoian
Canada
Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson homungradon nagwutut & Ojenyunyat osrasay
Italian
Italy
Buon Natale
Jamaican
Jamaica
Merri crissmus
Jämtlandic
Sweden
Gojuln
Japanese
Japan
Meri Kurisumasu
メリークリスマス
Javanese
Indonesia
Sugeng Natal
ꦱꦸꦒꦼꦁꦫꦶꦪꦪꦤꦠꦭ꧀ꦭꦤ꧀ꦮꦂꦱꦲꦼꦁꦒꦭ꧀ ꦱ꧀ꦭꦩꦼꦠ꧀ꦤꦠꦭ꧀ꦭꦤ꧀ꦠꦲꦸꦤ꧀ꦲꦚꦂ
Jèrriais
Jersey
Bouan Noué
Judaeo-Spanish/Ladino
Israel
Noel alegre i felis anyo muevo
נויל אליגרי אי פ׳יליס אנייו
Jula/Dyula/Dioula
Burkina Faso
la ye Nowɛli diya
Jingpho
Myanmar
Ngwi pyaw ai X’mas rai u ga
Kalmyk
Russia
Tsagaan Sar ölzätä boltxa
Цаһан Сар өлзәтә болтха
Kannada
India
kris mas habbada shubhaashayagalu
ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು
Kapampangan
Philippines
Masayang Pasku
Kaqchikel
Guatemala
Dios tik’ujie’ avik’in
Karachay-Balkar
Russia, Turkey
Džangy džylyġyz oġurlu bolsun
Джангы джылыгъыз огъурлу болсун
Karelian
Russia
Rastavanke sinun
Раставанке синун
Kashubian
Poland
Wèsołych gódów
Kazakh
Kazakhstan
Rojdestvo quttı bolsın
Рождество құтты болсын
Khmer
Cambodia
rikreay thngai bonyanauel
រីករាយថ្ងៃបុណ្យណូអែល
Khoekhoe
Africa
!Gâi!gâxa !khub!naes tsî ǀkhaehesa ǀasa kurib
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda
Noheri nziza
Komi
Russia
Vyl’ voön da bur Röštvoön
Выль воöн дa бур Рöштвоöн
Konkani
India
Khushal Borit Natala
Korean
Korea
jeulgeoun seongtanjeol
즐거운 성탄절
Koyukon
Alaska
Denaahuto’ Hoolaahn Dedzaahn Sodeelts’eeyh
Kurdish Kumanji
Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria
Kirîsmes pîroz
Kurdish Sorani
Iraq, Iran
jachny krismiset be khoshy bet
ﺟﻪﮊﻧﻰ ﻛﺮﻳﺴﻤﻴﺴﺖ ﺑﻪ خۆشى بێت
Kyrgyz
Kyrgyzstan
Caratkannın tuısımen
Жаратканнын туысымен
Ladin
Italy
Bun Nadèl
Lakota
USA
Wanikiya tonpi wowiyuskin
Lao
Laos
suksan wan kharitsamāt
ສຸກສັນວັນຄຣິດສມາດ
Latin
Italy
Felix dies Nativitatis
Latvian/Lettish
Latvia
Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus
Lingala
DR Congo, Rep Congo, Central African Republic, Angola
Mbotama Malamu
Lithuanian
Lithuania
Linksmų Kalėdų
Lombard
Italy, Switzerland
Bon Nedal
Low saxon
Germany
Frohe Wiehnachten
Lozi
Zambia
Kilisimusi ye munati ni matohonolo a silimo/mwaha o munca
Luganda
Uganda
Seku Kulu
Lule Sámi
Sweden, Norway
Buorre javla
Lushootseed
USA
Haʔɬ pədx̌aʔx̌aʔ
Luxembourgish
Luxembourg
Schéi Krëschtdeeg
Macedonian
North-Macedonia
Sreḱen Božiḱ
Среќен Божиќ
Magahi
India
bada din aayo naya saal mubaarak
बड़ा दिन आयो नया साल मुबारक
Malagasy
Madagascar
Tratry ny Krismasy
Malay
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,Singapore, Thailand
Selamat hari Natal
Malayalam
India
kristumas āśansakaḷ
ക്രിസ്തുമസ് ആശംസകള്
Maltese
Malta
IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Mandarin
China
Shèngdàn kuàilè
圣诞快乐
Meitei/Manipuri
India
Yāi-phə-bə sə-ji-bu che-rāo-bə oi-rə-sə-nu
ꯌꯥꯏꯐꯕ ꯁꯖꯤꯕꯨ ꯆꯩꯔꯥꯑꯣꯕ ꯑꯣꯏꯔꯁꯅꯨ
Manx (Gaelic)
Isle of Man
Nollick Ghennal
Māori
New Zealand
Meri Kirihimete
Marathi
India
Śubha nātāḷa
शुभ नाताळ
Marshallese
Marshall Island
Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin
Masurian
Poland
Wesołéch Gód
Michif
Canada, USA
Gayayr Nwel
Mizo
India, Burma
Krismas Chibai
Moksha
Russia
Roštuva marxta
Роштува мархта
Moldovan
Moldova
Craciunun Fericit
Monégasque
Monaco
Bon Natale
Mongolian
Mongolia
Zul saryn mend hürgeje
Зул сарын мэнд хүргэе
Montenegrin
Montenegro
Hristos se rodi
Христос се роди
Mozarabic
Spain
Buen natal
ون نتل
Nahuatl
Mexico
Cualli netlācatilizpan
Naskapi
Canada
miywaaitaakun mikusaanor
Navajo/Dine
USA
Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish
Ndebele – Northern
Zimbabwe, South Africa
Izilokotho Ezihle Zamaholdeni
Nepali
Nepal, India
Krasmasakō śubhakāmanā
क्रस्मसको शुभकामना
Newari/Nepal Bhasa
Nepal, India
भिं ख्रिस्मस
Niuean
Niue, Cook islands, Tonga
Monuina a aho kilisimasi mo e tau foou
Norman
Jersey
Un bouan Noué
Norwegian
Norway
God Jul
Occitan
France, Monaco, Italy, Spain
Polit Nadal
Ogoni
Nigeria
Eenyie Mea Krist Ne Eenyie Aagbaa
Ojibwe/Chippewa
Canada
Niibaa’ anami’egiizhigad & Aabita Biboo
Okinawan
Japan
merī kurisumasu
メリークリスマス
Old English
United Kingdom
Blīþe Gēol
Oneida
USA
Wanto’wan amp; Hoyan
Onhan
Philippines
Malipayon nga Paskwa
Oriya/Odia
India
Nababarṣara subhechā
ନବବର୍ଷର ସୁଭେଚ୍ଛା
Ossetian
Russia
Cyppurcy Bærægbonæn
Цыппурсы Бӕрӕгбонӕн
Otomi
Mexico
Njohya ar pa ‘mu̲i ne njohya ‘na’yo nje̲ya
Palauan
Palau
Ungil Kurismas
Pangasinan
Philippines
Maabig ya pasko
Papiamento
Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire
Bon Pasco
Pashto
Afghanistan
De Krismas akhtar de bakhtawar
د كرسمس ﺍﺧﺘﺮ ﺩ
Pennsylvania German/Dutch
USA
En frehlicher Grischtdaag
Persian
Afganistan
kerismas mobârak
کریسمس مبارک
Polish
Poland
Wesołych Świąt
Portuguese
Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe
Feliz Natal
Punjabi
India
Mairī krisamasa
ਮੈਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਮਸ
Qʼanjobʼal
Guatemala, Mexico
chi woche swatx’ilal hak’ul yet jun yalji Komami’
Quechua
Peru, Bolivia, Chile
Sumaj kausay kachun Navidad ch’sisipi
Rapa-Nui
Easter Island
Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rarotongan/Cook Islands Māori
Cook Islands
Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou
Romani
Europe
Baxtalo Krećuno
Romansh
Switzerland
Bellas festas da Nadal
Romanian
Romania
Crăciun Fericit
Russian
Russia
S Rozhdestvom
С Рождеством
Rusyn
Eastern Europe
Chrystos roždajesja
Христос рождаєся
Sámi – Northern
Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia
Buorit Juovllat
Sámi – Southern
Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia
Buerie jåvle
Sámi – Lule
Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia
Buorre javla
Samoan
Samoan Islands
Maunia Le Kilisimasi
Sanskrit
India
Kristamasaparvaṇaḥ śubhēcchāḥ
क्रिस्तमसपर्वणः शुभेच्छाः
Sardinian
Italy
Bon nadale
Scots
United Kingdom
Blythe yuil
Scottish Gaelic
United Kingdom
Nollaig chridheil
Seneca
USA
a:o’-e:sad yos-ha:-se:’
Serbian
Serbia
Srećan Božić
Христос се роди
Sesotho/Sotho
Lesotho
Keresemese e monate le mahlohonolo a selemo se setjha
Seychellois
Seychelles
Bonn e Erez Ane (PLACEHOLDER SINCE THAT IS ACTUALLY NEW YEAR)
Shona
Zimbabwe
Muve neKisimusi
Sicilian
Italy
Bon Natali
Silesian
Czech republic
Radosnych Godōw
Sindhi
India
ڪرسمس جون واڌايون ڪرسمس جون واڌايون
Sinhala/Singhalese
Sri Lanka
subha natthalak
සුභ නත්තලක්
Slovak
Slovakia
Veselé vianoce
Slovenian
Slovenian
Vesel Božič
Soga/Lasoga
Uganda
Mwisuka Sekukulu
Somali
Somalia, Djibouti
Kirismas Wacan
Sorbian Lower
Germany
Wjasołe gódy
Sorbian Upper
Germany
Wjesołe hody
Sotho – Northern
South Africa
Mahlogonolo a Keresemose
Spanish
Spain
Feliz Navidad
Sranan Tongo
Suriname
Swit’ Kresneti
Sundanese
Indonesia
Wilujeng Natal
Swahili
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Somalia, Zambia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Heri ya Krismasi
Swazi
South Africa
Khisimusi lomuhle
Swedish
Sweden
God Jul
Swiss German
Switzerland
Schöni Wienachte
Tagalog
Philippines
Maligayang Pasko
Tahitian
Polynesia
‘Ia ‘oa’oa i te Noera ‘e ‘ia maita’i i te mau ‘ōro’a matahiti ‘āpī
Tamil
India, Sri Lanka
Kiṟistumas nalvāḻttukkaḷ
கிறிஸ்துமஸ் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்
Tajik
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Dimoƣcoqī Mavludi Iso
Димоғчоқӣ Мавлуди
Tanaina/Denaʼina
Canada
Natukda Nuuphaa
Tatar
Tatarstan
Raştua bäyräme belän
Раштуа бәйрәме белән
Telugu
India
Santōṣakaramaina krisṭhmas
సంతోషకరమైన క్రిస్ఠ్మస్
Tetum
Timor
Ksolok loron natal nian
Tewa
USA
Hihchandi Núuphaa
Thai
Thailand
S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn khris̄t̒mās̄
สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส
Tigrinya
Eritrea, Ethiopia
Rhus Be’al Ldetn Hadsh Ametn
ርሑስ በዓል ልደትን ሓድሽ ዓመትን።
Tlingit
USA, Canada
Xristos Khuwdziti kax sh kaxtoolxetl
Tokelauan
Tokelau, Swains Island
Manuia te Kilihimahi
Tok Pisin
Papua New Guinea
Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas go long yu
Tongan
Tonga
Kilisimasi fiefia mo ha ta’u fo’ou monū’ia
Tsonga
Mozambique, South Africa
A ku vi Khisimusi lerinene naswona a ku vi lembe lerintshwa lerinene
Tsotsil
Mexico
Xmuyubajuk ti avo’one ti ta k’ine xchu’uk ti ta ach’ jabile
Tswana
Southern Africa
Keresemose e e monate le ngwaga o o itumedisang
Turkish
Turkey, Cyprus
Mutlu Noeller
Turkmen
Turkmenistan
Täze ýylyňyz gutly bolsun
Tutchone
Canada
t’ohudinch’i Hulin Dzenu & Eyum nan ek’an nenatth’at danji te yesohuthin ch’e hadaatle
Tuvaluan
Tuvalu
Manuia te Kilisimasi mo te Tausaga Fou
Twi
Ghana
Afenhyia pa
Udmurt
Russia
Vyl’ Aren, no Tolsur
Выль Арен, но Толсур
Ukrainian
Ukraine
z Rizdvóm
з Різдвом
Urdu
Pakistan, India
krismas mubārak
کرسمَس مبارک
Uyghur
China, Kazakhstan
Rojistıwa bayrımıngızgä mubaräk
روجىستىۋا بايرىمىڭىزگە مۇبارەك
Uzbek
Uzbekistan
Rojdestvo bayramingiz qutlug
Рождество байрамингиз қутлуғ
Venda
South Africa
Ḓuvha ḽa mabebo a Murena ḽavhuḓi
Venetian
Italy
Bon nadale
Veps
Russia
Raštvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke
Vietnamese
Vietnam
Chúc mừng Giáng sinh
Võro
Estonia
Rõõmsit joulupühhi
Votic
Russia
Yvää uutta vootta
Walloon
Belgium
djoyeus Noyé
Waray
Philippines
Maupay nga Pasko
Welsh
United Kingdom
Nadolig llawen
Westrobothnian
Scandinavia
Gow juwl
Wolof
Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania
Mangui lay ndioukeul ci Noël bi
Xhosa
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho
Krismesi emnandi
Yiddish
World
a freylekhn nitl
אַ פֿריילעכן ניטל
Yolngu
Australia
Kritjmatj yiŋgathirri ga dhuŋgarra dhawurruŋga yiŋgathirri
Yoruba
West Africa
Ẹ ku Ayọ Keresimesi
Yucatec Maya
Mexico, Guatemala, Belize
Utzul mank’inal
Yupik
Alaska, Russia
Angliq Alussistuaq
Yup’ik
Alaska
Alussistuaqegtaarmek piamken
Zazaki
Turkey
Serra to ya newî pîroz bo
Zulu
South Africa
Jabulele uKhisimusi