Happy New Year in Spanish: 10 Wishes For Feliz Año Nuevo
As the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins, Spanish speakers around the world celebrate with joy and enthusiasm for the new year.
Want to join in the festivities?
Learn these 10 amazing New Year’s wishes in Spanish to impress your friends and family with an alternative for happy new year in Spanish.
Plus, discover some unique traditions from Spanish-speaking countries. Let’s start with a video that was made by Spring Spanish (a project I co-founded) on the topic:
1. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! (Happy New Year in Spanish!)
Effortless Answers
This is the most common and universal way to wish someone a Happy New Year in Spanish.
It’s good for all situations, whether formal or informal.
María: “¡Feliz Año Nuevo, Juan!” (Happy New Year, Juan!)
Juan: “¡Igualmente, María! Que sea un gran año.” (Same to you, María! May it be a great year.)
2. ¡Próspero Año Nuevo! (Prosperous New Year!)
This phrase adds a touch of warmth, wishing not just happiness but prosperity in the coming year. It’s slightly more formal than the basic “Feliz Año Nuevo” (Happy New Year in Spanish).
Carlos: “¡Próspero Año Nuevo, Elena!” (Prosperous New Year, Elena!)
Elena: “Gracias, Carlos. Que tus sueños se hagan realidad este año.” (Thank you, Carlos. May your dreams come true this year.)
3. ¡Feliz (Year)! (Happy (Year)!)
A more modern and casual way to wish someone a happy new year in Spanish, especially popular among younger generations.
You can substitute (Year) with any year you want! Waiting for 2025?
Alex: “¡Feliz 2024, Sofía! ¿Lista para un año increíble?” (Happy 2024, Sofía! Ready for an amazing year?)
Sofía: “¡Totalmente! Que sea el mejor año de nuestras vidas.” (Totally! May it be the best year of our lives.)
4. ¡Que tengas un Año Nuevo lleno de felicidad! (May you have a New Year full of happiness!)
This heartfelt wish expresses a desire for the recipient to experience joy throughout the year.
It’s a personal greeting best for friends and family.
Luisa: “¡Que tengas un Año Nuevo lleno de felicidad, Pedro!” (May you have a New Year full of happiness, Pedro!)
Pedro: “Muchísimas gracias, Luisa. Te deseo lo mismo.” (Thank you very much, Luisa. I wish the same for you.)
5. ¡Bienvenido Año Nuevo! (Welcome New Year!)
This phrase personifies the new year, welcoming it as if it were a guest.
It’s a poetic way to express excitement for the year ahead.
Isabella: “¡Bienvenido Año Nuevo! ¿Qué sorpresas nos traerás, Miguel?” (Welcome New Year! What surprises will you bring us, Miguel?)
Miguel: “Espero que sean todas buenas, Isabella. ¡Estoy listo para descubrirlo!” (I hope they’re all good ones, Isabella. I’m ready to find out!)
6. ¡Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva! (New Year, New Life!)
This popular saying embodies the spirit of new beginnings and fresh starts that come with a new year.
It’s used to express intentions for positive changes.
Daniela: “¡Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva, Javier! ¿Cuáles son tus propósitos?” (New Year, New Life, Javier! What are your resolutions?)
Javier: “¡Exacto! Este año voy a aprender a cocinar. ¿Y tú?” (Exactly! This year I’m going to learn to cook. How about you?)
7. ¡Que el Año Nuevo te traiga mucha felicidad! (May the New Year bring you much happiness!)
This warm wish focuses on the happiness that the new year might bring.
It’s a friendly, positive expression good for most relationships.
Ana: “¡Que el Año Nuevo te traiga mucha felicidad, Roberto!” (May the New Year bring you much happiness, Roberto!)
Roberto: “Gracias, Ana. Espero que a ti te traiga éxito y amor.” (Thank you, Ana. I hope it brings you success and love.)
8. ¡Felicidades en el Año Nuevo! (Congratulations on the New Year!)
This phrase combines congratulations with New Year wishes, making it feel more celebratory.
It’s appropriate for both formal and informal settings.
Carmen: “¡Felicidades en el Año Nuevo, Diego! ¿Cómo lo vas a celebrar?” (Congratulations on the New Year, Diego! How are you going to celebrate?)
Diego: “Con mi familia y amigos, Carmen. ¡Felicidades a ti también!” (With my family and friends, Carmen. Congratulations to you too!)
9. ¡Salud y felicidad en el Año Nuevo! (Health and happiness in the New Year!)
This wish focuses on two of life’s most important aspects: health and happiness. It’s a thoughtful and caring expression, perfect for loved ones.
Lucía: “¡Salud y felicidad en el Año Nuevo, Mateo!” (Health and happiness in the New Year, Mateo!)
Mateo: “Gracias, Lucía. Que tengamos un año lleno de bendiciones.” (Thank you, Lucía. May we have a year full of blessings.)
10. ¡Que este Año Nuevo sea mejor que el anterior! (May this New Year be better than the last!)
This optimistic wish expresses hope for improvement and progress in the coming year. It’s a great way to encourage someone who may have had a challenging previous year.
Valentina: “¡Que este Año Nuevo sea mejor que el anterior, Andrés!” (May this New Year be better than the last, Andrés!)
Andrés: “¡Eso espero, Valentina! Estoy listo para nuevas oportunidades.” (I hope so, Valentina! I’m ready for new opportunities.)
Learn Spanish new year resolutions in Spanish-speaking countries
And what about new year resolutions? Here are some of the most common resolutions you (and people) take every year.
Just make sure to keep up with them!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Hacer más ejercicio | Exercise more |
| Comer más saludable | Eat healthier |
| Ahorrar dinero | Save money |
| Aprender un nuevo idioma | Learn a new language |
| Dejar de fumar | Quit smoking |
| Viajar más | Travel more |
| Reducir el estrés | Reduce stress |
| Pasar más tiempo con la familia | Spend more time with family |
| Organizarse mejor | Get more organized |
| Leer más libros | Read more books |
| Encontrar un nuevo trabajo | Find a new job |
| Aprender una nueva habilidad | Learn a new skill |
New year’s traditions in Spanish-speaking countries
Spanish-speaking countries have unique ways of celebrating the New Year, so it’s really not just saying the appropriate phrase for happy new year in Spanish.
In Spain, it’s traditional to eat twelve grapes at midnight, one with each chime of the clock.
In Mexico, people often wear red underwear for luck in love or yellow for prosperity.
In Colombia, some carry an empty suitcase around the block at midnight, hoping for a year full of travel.
| Country | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Las doce uvas de la suerte | The tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight, one with each chime of the clock. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. |
| México | Ropa interior de colores y barrer la casa | Wearing colorful underwear for luck – red for love, yellow for prosperity, and white for peace. Also, sweeping the house to clear out the old year’s energy. |
| Colombia | Dar la vuelta a la manzana con una maleta vacía y llevar lentejas en los bolsillos | Carrying an empty suitcase around the block at midnight, hoping for a year full of travel. Placing lentils in pockets or purses to attract abundance. |
| Chile | Anillo de oro en la copa y comer lentejas | Placing a gold ring in the champagne glass and making a wish before midnight. Eating a spoonful of lentils at midnight for good luck. |
| Ecuador | Quemar el año viejo | Burning effigies called “año viejo” (old year). These paper or sawdust-filled dummies represent the old year and are burned at midnight to symbolize leaving the past behind. |
| Argentina | Dar el primer paso con el pie derecho | Stepping forward with the right foot at the stroke of midnight to start the year off on the right foot, literally. |
| Cuba | Tirar un cubo de agua por la ventana | Throwing a bucket of water out the window at midnight to symbolize throwing out the old year and welcoming the new one with a clean slate. |
Practice saying happy new year in Spanish
Here’s your chance to practice for the big occasion:
This isn’t everything we have to offer. Read on to learn more about the Conversation Based Chunking method, or request access to our Full Practice Worksheet Library immediately!
Learn common phrases for Spanish new year with Conversation Based Chunking
Conversation Based Chunking is an effective method for learning new vocabulary, phrases, chunks, and ultimately: languages.
Instead of memorizing isolated words, you learn them in the context of real conversations. This approach helps you understand how to use the phrases naturally and remember them more easily.
For example, instead of just memorizing “Feliz Año Nuevo” (happy new year in Spanish) you learn it as part of a conversation, so you always know how to use it it in context.
By learning -these chunks of conversation, you’ll be better prepared to use these New Year’s wishes in real-life situations. So, why don’t you give it a try, and request your first Spanish Chunking Starter Pack. All for FREE!
