How Many Languages Can You Say Merry Christmas In?

By: Brittany Rowland
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Many Languages Can You Say Merry Christmas In?
Image: altrendo images/Stockbyte/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Christmas is celebrated around the world in a multitude of ways. For that reason, you can find a "Merry Christmas" greeting in virtually every language! So no matter what continent you happen to be on when December 25th rolls around, you can always greet the locals with a cheerful "Frohe Weihnachten," "Sheng Dan Kuai Le" or "Mele Kalikimaka"!

And as varied as the Christmas greetings are, so are the Christmas traditions. Some countries that are traditionally Christian emphasize the religious nature of the holiday, attending church services and decorating their towns with nativity scenes. Many countries also have long-standing Christmas traditions, many of them revolving around Santa Claus (who gets a new name in almost every country, too). Children may hang stockings on Christmas Eve, or they may leave their shoes out in hopes that St. Nick will fill them with presents. Even some countries with few Christians, like Japan, acknowledge Christmas in a secular sense and enjoy the decorations and the gift-giving traditions.

If you think you know all there is to know about Christmas, now is the time to prove it! See how many of these languages you can say "Merry Christmas" in. We promise not to rat you out to Santa if you can't get them all right!


Christmas market night fairy ambiance in front of the Hamburg Rathaus Markt
Laura Battiato/Moment/Getty Images
How do people say "Merry Christmas" in German?
Vesela Koleda
Eedookh Breekha
Frohe Weihnachten
Ruhus Beal Lidet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Germany, Christmas trees have a long tradition dating back to the Middle Ages! Families typically put up their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve. And popular carols include "O Tannenbaum" and "Stille Nacht."

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Santa Claus in Canoe Flashing Shaka
Photo by Meredith Narrowe/Moment/Getty Images
Aloha! If you're visiting the 50th state in December, can you say "Merry Christmas" in Hawaiian?
Juullimi Pilluarit
Jwaye Nowe
Frohe Weihnachten
Mele Kalikimaka
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This one is easy if you can remember the song "Mele Kalikimaka" popularized by Bing Crosby in 1950. Missionaries brought Christmas traditions to Hawaii in the early 1800s, and today celebrations include surfing!

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Christmas Lights, National Flags and Tramway in Istanbul, Turkey
Pavliha/E+/Getty Images
How would you say "Merry Christmas" to someone in Turkish?
Mutlu Noeller
Buon Natale
God Jul
Feliz Navidad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, it doesn't recognize Christmas as an official holiday. Still, some stores decorate with Christmas trees and Santas. People save their celebrating for New Year's Eve.

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St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland
John Lawson, Belhaven/Moment/Getty Images
If you're going to Scotland, can you say "Merry Christmas" in Scots?
Buorit Juovllat
Crăciun Fericit
Blithe Yule
Wesołych Świąt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christmas became an official holiday in Scotland in 1958, and starting in the 1980s, it became more widely celebrated. Today, people enjoy Christmas markets, shopping, Christmas displays and ice skating.

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Marché de Noël (Christmas Village) in Montreux, Switzerland
L. Toshio Kishiyama/Moment Open/Getty Images
On your next trip to Switzerland over the holidays, you can wish people "Merry Christmas" in what way?
Nadolig Llawen
Kirismas Wacan
Schöni Wiehnachte
Buon Natale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Families in Switzerland typically buy and decorate their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve, often lighting the trees with real candles! They light the trees again on New Year's Eve for good luck.

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Dalat Cathedral,Vietnam at Christmas night
Thang Tat Nguyen/Moment/Getty Images
You hear someone say "Chúc mừng Giáng Sinh." They're wishing you "Merry Christmas" in what tongue?
Thai
Ukrainian
French
Vietnamese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Christmas isn't a public holiday in Vietnam, crowds of young people gather in Ho Chi Minh City on Christmas Eve to view the Christmas decorations in stores. Christians attend Midnight Mass, too.

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Bethlehem_Christmas
Wiki Commons by Freedom's Falcon
Someone tells you "Eid Milad Majid." Do you know which language they're saying "Merry Christmas" in?
Cantonese
Arabic
Italian
Spanish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Arabic, "Eid Milad Majid" literally means "Glorious Birth Feast." In Egypt, Christians are the minority, but they still enjoy Christmas traditions. Kids, for instance, leave "kahk," sweet biscuits, for Baba Noël.

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Christmas in Kenya
CGTN Africa
"Merry Christmas" in Swahili is what?
Joyeux Noël
Nadelik Lowen
Krismasi Njema
Feliĉan Kristnaskon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Kenya, where Swahili is spoken, people traditionally attend church at midnight on Christmas Eve and then party the rest of the night! They decorate their houses and churches with balloons, flowers and ribbons.

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Christmas Kiss Eiffel Tower
davidf/E+/Getty Images
The next time you're visiting Paris for the holidays, do you know how to say "Merry Christmas" in French?
Joyeux Noël
Vrolijk Kerstfeest
Vesela Koleda
Sheng Dan Kuai Le
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Children in France await the arrival of Père Noël (Father Christmas), who brings them gifts. Families also traditionally enjoy a bûche de Noël, or a chocolate sponge cake. Bon appetit!

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Chirstmas tree in Venice Square, Rome, Italy
Enzo D./Moment/Getty Images
Ready for a Christmas in Italy? First, can you say "Merry Christmas" in Italian?
Selamat Natal
Krismas Chibai
Buon Natale
Gleðileg jól
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

St. Francis of Assisi helped make the Nativity scene a popular Christmas tradition in Italy. Italian families usually set up their Nativity cribs on Dec. 8 and save baby Jesus for Christmas Eve.

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Christmas in Manila, Philippines
techneca media viaYouTube
"Maligayang Pasko" is how you say "Merry Christmas" in what language?
Tagalog
Spanish
Mandarin
Norwegian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tagalog is one of the languages spoken in the Philippines. Because about 80% of Filipinos are Catholic, Christmas is a major holiday in the country. The parol, which represents the Star of Bethlehem, is a popular decoration.

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Christmas tree at Praça de Luis de Camões, Lisbon, Portugal
J.M.F. Almeida/Moment/Getty Images
When in Portugal, can you say "Merry Christmas" as the Portuguese do?
Bon Pascu
Meri Kirihimete
Crăciun Fericit
Feliz Natal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Portugal, Pai Natal (Father Christmas) leaves gifts for children on Christmas Eve, either placing them under the tree or in shoes left by the hearth. At Mass, everyone lines up to kiss a picture of baby Jesus.

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Merry Christmas Tirana, Albania
dronealbania.al via YouTube
If you were in Albania, how would you tell people "Merry Christmas"?
Gëzuar Krishtlindjen
Le be le keresemese e monate
Seng Dan Fai Lok
Bon Natale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Albania was an atheist state under Communism, a number of people still celebrate Christmas. Christians in Albania attend Christmas Eve Mass, and children receive presents from Babagjyshi i Vitit te Ri.

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Illuminated Christmas Tree and Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo
Cityscape/Getty Images
In Japan, "Merry Christmas" is said how?
Meri Kurisumasu
Tratra ny Noely
Nollick Ghennal
Gozhqq Keshmish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People celebrate Christmas in Japan, but in a secular way. Christmas Eve is particularly popular with young Japanese couples, who give each other gifts and go out for a romantic evening!

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Christmas tree at night in front of St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary
Ed Rhodes/robertharding/Getty Images
Do you know how to say "Merry Christmas" in Hungarian?
Juullimi Pilluarit
Anandi Natal
Boldog karácsonyt
Chag Molad Sameach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Families in Hungary traditionally decorate the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve, which is called Szent-este. Some parents surprise their children by decorating the tree secretly. They also enjoy Beigli, a poppy cake.

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Christmas Market Vaxholm, Sweden
Wiki Commons by Bengt Nyman
When in Sweden, you can tell your friends "Merry Christmas" in Swedish with what words?
Mutlu Noeller
Suk sarn warn Christmas
God Jul
Nadolig Llawen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Christmastime tradition in Sweden is a festival honoring St. Lucia, a Christian martyr. Towns choose a girl to play this young saint, and she wears a white dress and a crown of candles.

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Christmas decorations in an alley in the Christian Quarter Old city East Jerusalem
Eddie Gerald/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know how to say "Merry Christmas" in Hebrew?
Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Buon Natale
Meri Kurisumasu
Chag Molad Sameach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Much of Israel's Christian population lives in Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. People decorate the city with lights in celebration of both Christmas and Hanukkah. Nazareth also has a parade and fireworks.

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Christmas tree in Constitution Square, Bucharest, Romania
Wiki Commons by Babu
Someone wishes you "Crăciun Fericit." What language are they speaking?
Romanian
Russian
Farsi
Gaelic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Romanians call St. Nicholas Sfantul Nicolae, and children leave out their shoes for him to fill with gifts. They also go out caroling, and someone will dress as the "Capra," or goat, and dance to the songs!

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Christmas In Prague, Czech Republic
borchee/E+/Getty Images
If someone wishes you "Veselé Vánoce," can you name the language they're speaking?
Czech
Estonian
Finnish
Greek
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the Czech Republic, people also celebrate St. Nicholas Eve on Dec. 5. St. Nicholas gives children a basket of goodies (or a lump of coal if they've been bad). Also, fish soup is a popular Christmas Eve meal.

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Christmas market in front of Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
© Santiago Urquijo/Moment/Getty Images
To wish a Finnish person "Merry Christmas," what would you say?
Nadelik Lowen
Seng Dan Fai Lok
Vesela Koleda
Hyvää joulua
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Santa Claus lives near, according to the Finnish! They believe he lives in Korvatunturi, an area of Finland north of the Arctic Circle. They even have a theme park called Christmas Land!

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Christmas tree in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome
Amer Ghazzal/Moment/Getty Images
Time to brush off your dead languages! How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Latin?
Linksmų Kalėdų
Felicem Diem Nativitatis
Il-Milied it-Tajjeb
Ulihelisdi Tsisa Undetiyisgv
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Felicem Diem Nativitatis" literally means "Merry Day of the Nativity" in Latin. This phrase would be handy to pick up if you wanted to impress your old Latin teacher. Just don't ask us to conjugate it!

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Christmas Market, Glasgow Scotland
poison pixie via YouTube
Someone says "Nollaig Chridheil" to you. They're saying "Merry Christmas" in which language?
Samoan
Romanian
Gaelic
Hungarian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Traditionally, Christmas, or Yule, was not a major celebration in Scotland. It only became an official public holiday in 1871. However, in recent years Scotland has developed new festivities for the holiday!

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Christmas in Greenland
Poznaj Grenlandię via YouTube
It's time to wish your friend from Greenland a "Merry Christmas"! How do you say it in Greenlandic?
Jwaye Nowe
Mele Kalikimaka
Krismas Chibai
Juullimi Pilluarit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since Greenland in winter doesn't see much sunlight, people traditionally place illuminated "poinsettia stars" in their windows to give the towns some light. They also enjoy "mattak," whale skin and blubber.

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Family celebrate Christmas at beach in Auckland, New Zealand
kaz_c/E+/Getty Images
If you wanted to wish a Maori person in New Zealand "Merry Christmas," how would you say it?
Prettige Kerst
Meri Kirihimete
Kreesmasko shubhkaamnaa
Nizhonigo Keshmish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because Christmas in New Zealand falls in summer, people celebrate by surfing and enjoying the beach. Even Santa wears sandals in the heat! And children leave him pineapple chunks instead of cookies.

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Christmas in South Africa
Ankes World via YouTube
Next time you visit South Africa, you can say "Merry Christmas" in Afrikaans! How do you say it?
Eedookh Breekha
Frohe Weihnachten
Veselé Vánoce
Geseënde Kersfees
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In South Africa, Christmas comes in the summer, so many families go camping for their Christmas break! People also enjoy their Christmas dinner out in the sun, often with a barbecue!

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Ban Josip Jelačić Square, Zagreb, Croatia, at 2016 Advent time
Wiki Commons by Silverije
A person from Croatia would say "Merry Christmas" in what way?
Kala Christouyenna
Jwaye Nowe
Śubh krisamas
Sretan Božić
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People in Croatia traditionally celebrate with an Advent wreath with four candles. Children stay on their best behavior lest Krampus, Santa's helper, leave them twigs instead of presents.

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Wales Christmas
David Williams/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
Perhaps Catherine Zeta-Jones knows how to say "Merry Christmas" in Welsh. Do you?
Nadolig Llawen
Mutlu Noeller
Joyeux Noël
Swit' Kresneti
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas recorded his fond Christmas memories in "A Child's Christmas in Wales." In this work, he recalls the wonder and excitement he felt at Christmas as a child. Pretty universal feelings!

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Kulig with Saint Nicholas, Sanok, Poland
Wiki Commons by Silar
People in Poland wish each other "Merry Christmas" with what greeting?
Gozhqq Keshmish
Tratra ny Noely
Wesołych Świąt
Juullimi Pilluarit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, people in Poland reflect on the meaning of the holiday and go to Mass frequently. At school, kids put on Nativity plays, called Jasełka.

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Indian handcraft
Picardo/Moment Open/Getty Images
"Merry Christmas" in the Navajo language is what?
Nizhonigo Keshmish
Cualli netlācatilizpan
Selamat Hari Natal
Felicem Diem Nativitatis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many Navajo celebrate Christmas by gathering with family, exchanging gifts and eating nice meals together. Those who attend church services sing traditional Christmas songs like "Silent Night" ⁠— in Navajo!

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La Rambla street during Christmas and New Year holidays in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Alexander Spatari/Moment/Getty Images
It's time to show off your Catalan-speaking skills. How do you say "Merry Christmas" in this language?
Swit' Kresneti
Kirismas Wacan
Manuia Le Kerisimasi
Bon Nadal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spain has different regions that speak different languages. In Catalan, for instance, people wish each other "Bon Nadal." Also, children receive presents on both Christmas and the Epiphany (Jan. 6).

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The Christmas spirit in Alexandroupoli, Greece
Salvator Barki/Moment/Getty Images
Can you say "Merry Christmas" in Greek? It's all Greek to us!
Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa
Kala Christouyenna
Bon Natali
Feliz Navidad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Greek children have the long-standing tradition of going caroling on Christmas Eve, playing drums and triangles and often carrying toy boats. People give them candy and money for their songs.

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Santa Claus on reindeer sleigh in the snowy forest, Ruka (Kuusamo), Northern Ostrobothnia region, Lapland, Finland
Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld/Moment/Getty Images
Can you say "Merry Christmas" in the Inuit language?
Quvianagli Anaiyyuniqpaliqsi
Tratra ny Noely
Selamat Natal
Anandi Natal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the Arctic, churches hold Mass in both English and Inuktitut, the Inuit language. In some areas so far north, Christmas trees have to be imported because they can't grow there!

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Christmas in Haiti
GrossE254 via YouTube
The next time you visit Port-au-Prince, can you tell people "Merry Christmas" in Haitian Creole?
Mele Kalikimaka
Frohe Weihnachten
Jwaye Nowe
Nedeleg Laouen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Haiti, children place their shoes, filled with straw, under the Christmas tree in hopes that Tonton Nwèl (Santa) will replace the straw with presents! As in France, Haitians enjoy a meal called "reveillon" on Christmas.

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Christmas tree at Bib-Rambla square, Spain
Sunphol Sorakul/Moment/Getty Images
Can you say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish (and hum the popular song)?
Feliz Navidad
God Jul
Bon Nadal
Schöni Wiehnachte
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many families in Spain attend La Misa Del Gallo, the Mass of the Rooster, or Midnight Mass. In the days leading up to Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), children often go caroling and collect some money.

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Outdoor Christmas at Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium
Carlos Alkmin/Moment/Getty Images
You're visiting Belgium and want to wish someone "Merry Christmas" in Dutch. What do you say?
Vrolijk Kerstfeest
Vesela Koleda
Sheng Dan Kuai Le
Joyeux Noël
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Children in Belgium leave treats for Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) and his assistant, Zwarte Piet, on St. Nicholas' Eve. Kids know better than to misbehave, or Zwarte Piet will take them away in a sack!

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