How to Say Merry Christmas in Italian
Learn how to say Merry Christmas in Italian. 'Buon Natale' is the standard phrase. Includes pronunciation, holiday wishes, New Year greetings, and Italian Christmas traditions.
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Quick answer
To say Merry Christmas in Italian, say 'Buon Natale!' (pronounced bwon na-TAH-leh). For Happy New Year, say 'Felice Anno Nuovo!' or 'Buon Anno!' The combination greeting 'Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!' (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!) is commonly used during the holiday season.
Buon Natale!
/bwon na-TAH-leh/ — Italian
How to Say Merry Christmas in Italian
Christmas (Natale) is one of Italy’s most beloved celebrations — a season of family, food, and warmth that stretches from December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) through January 6 (Epiphany). Knowing the right holiday greetings will let you join in authentically.
The Phrase: Buon Natale
Pronunciation: /bwon na-TAH-leh/ — stress on TAH.
- Buon — good (masculine, contracting buono)
- Natale — Christmas (from Latin natalis = of birth)
The word Natale always refers specifically to Christmas in Italian (not just any birth).
All Italian Christmas and Holiday Wishes
| Italian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Buon Natale! | bwon na-TAH-leh | Merry Christmas! |
| Felice Natale! | fe-LEE-cheh … | Happy Christmas! |
| Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo! | — | Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
| Buon Anno! | bwon AN-no | Happy New Year! |
| Felice Anno Nuovo! | fe-LEE-cheh AN-no NWOH-vo | Happy New Year! |
| Buone Feste! | bwoh-neh FES-teh | Happy Holidays! (lit: Good Festivities) |
| Tanti auguri! | TAN-tee ow-GOO-ree | Best wishes! |
| Auguri di buone feste! | — | Holiday greetings / best holiday wishes! |
| Buona Epifania! | — | Happy Epiphany! (Jan 6) |
Pronunciation Breakdown
Buon Natale:
- Bwon — smooth glide from “b” through “wo”: bwohn
- Na — short, unstressed “na”
- TAH — stressed, open ‘a’ like in “father”
- leh — short ending, always pronounced
Common mistake: saying “boo-ON na-tal” — the correct first syllable is “bwon” (one sound), and the ending is “leh” not silent.
Italian Christmas Card Phrases
Simple and warm:
- Buon Natale e tanti auguri per il nuovo anno!
- Con i migliori auguri per il Natale e l’Anno Nuovo.
For family:
- Buon Natale a tutta la famiglia! Un abbraccio forte a tutti. (Merry Christmas to the whole family! A big hug to everyone.)
For friends:
- Tanti auguri di buone feste! Spero che questo Natale ti porti tanta gioia. (Best holiday wishes! I hope this Christmas brings you great joy.)
Heartfelt:
- Che questo Natale sia pieno di amore, gioia e pace. (May this Christmas be full of love, joy, and peace.)
Italian Christmas Traditions
| Italian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| il Presepe | The Nativity scene (very important in Italy) |
| il Panettone | Sweet bread with dried fruits — the iconic Christmas cake |
| il Pandoro | Star-shaped golden bread, Christmas dessert |
| La Vigilia | Christmas Eve — the fish dinner tradition |
| La Befana | The friendly witch who brings gifts on January 6 |
| le Calze della Befana | Christmas stockings hung for La Befana |
| il Cenone | The big Christmas Eve dinner |
| il Babbo Natale | Santa Claus (Father Christmas) |
| la renna | reindeer |
| il vischio | mistletoe |
New Year’s Eve in Italian
New Year’s Eve (la Notte di San Silvestro or Capodanno) is celebrated with fireworks, lentils for good luck, and lots of enthusiasm:
- Buon Anno! — Happy New Year! (at midnight)
- Felice Anno Nuovo! — Happy New Year! (formal)
- Auguri per il nuovo anno! — Wishes for the new year!
- Che il nuovo anno ti porti tutto il meglio! — May the new year bring you all the best!
- Brindisi! — A toast! (said when clinking glasses)
- Cin cin! — Cheers! (very casual toast)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Buon Natale?
Buon Natale is pronounced bwon na-TAH-leh — three syllables: 'bwon' (one glide), 'na' (short), 'TAH-leh' (stress on TAH). The 'buo' is a smooth sound like 'bwoh,' not two separate syllables. Final 'e' in 'Natale' is always pronounced in Italian.
How do you say Happy New Year in Italian?
The main ways to say Happy New Year in Italian are 'Felice Anno Nuovo!' (fe-LEE-cheh AN-no NWOH-vo) and 'Buon Anno!' (bwon AN-no). Both are common. 'Felice Anno Nuovo' is slightly more complete; 'Buon Anno' is shorter and very casual.
What does Natale mean in Italian?
'Natale' means 'Christmas' in Italian, derived from Latin 'natalis' (relating to birth). It literally refers to the birth (of Jesus) — 'dies natalis Domini' (the birth day of the Lord). Natale shares its root with words like 'natal' and 'nativity' in English.
How do Italians celebrate Christmas?
Italian Christmas is centered on family. The main celebration is Christmas Eve (La Vigilia di Natale) with a large fish dinner tradition in many regions, followed by Midnight Mass. Christmas Day is a family lunch. Gifts traditionally arrive on January 6 (Epiphany/La Befana), though many families also exchange gifts on December 25.
What is La Befana in Italian Christmas?
La Befana is a traditional Italian Christmas figure — a friendly witch who delivers gifts to children on the night of January 5 (Epiphany Eve). Children hang stockings (calze) and La Befana fills them with candy if they were good, or coal (carbone) if they were naughty. In many regions, La Befana is as important as Santa Claus.