Meaning
Greeting for the start of the year.
Cultural Background
It is traditional to eat 'sarma' (stuffed cabbage) on New Year's Day. People believe it helps with hangovers and brings good luck for the year. Thousands gather at Trg Bana Jelačića for a big concert and fireworks. The mayor usually wishes everyone a 'Sretna Nova godina' from the stage. In some coastal towns, brave locals take a 'New Year's dip' in the cold Adriatic sea while shouting the greeting. Business gifts (calendars, wine) are often exchanged in late December with a card saying 'Sretna Nova godina'.
The 'u' Trick
If you aren't sure whether to say 'Sretna' or 'Sretnu', just say 'Sretna Nova!'—it works every time and sounds very natural.
Don't be late
If you see someone for the first time on January 15th, it's still okay to say it, but add 'malo kasnim' (I'm a bit late).
Meaning
Greeting for the start of the year.
The 'u' Trick
If you aren't sure whether to say 'Sretna' or 'Sretnu', just say 'Sretna Nova!'—it works every time and sounds very natural.
Don't be late
If you see someone for the first time on January 15th, it's still okay to say it, but add 'malo kasnim' (I'm a bit late).
Gender Agreement
Never say 'Sretan Nova'. It's a very common beginner mistake that sounds quite jarring to native ears.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing adjective with the correct feminine ending.
Sretn_ Nova godina!
Because 'Nova godina' is feminine nominative, the adjective 'Sretna' must end in 'a'.
Which phrase is used specifically for the holiday on January 1st?
Danas je...
Capitalized 'Nova godina' refers to the holiday itself.
Complete the dialogue at a New Year's party.
Marko: Ponoć je! ______! Ivana: Hvala, i tebi također!
At midnight on New Year's Eve, this is the standard greeting.
Match the phrase to the correct register.
1. Sretna Nova! 2. Želimo Vam sretnu Novu godinu.
Shortening the phrase is informal; using 'Vam' and full sentences is formal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
New Year Vocabulary
People
- • Obitelj
- • Prijatelji
- • Kolege
Objects
- • Šampanjac
- • Vatromet
- • Čestitka
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSretn_ Nova godina!
Because 'Nova godina' is feminine nominative, the adjective 'Sretna' must end in 'a'.
Danas je...
Capitalized 'Nova godina' refers to the holiday itself.
Marko: Ponoć je! ______! Ivana: Hvala, i tebi također!
At midnight on New Year's Eve, this is the standard greeting.
1. Sretna Nova! 2. Želimo Vam sretnu Novu godinu.
Shortening the phrase is informal; using 'Vam' and full sentences is formal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsBoth! 'Sretna Nova godina' is the name of the holiday (Nominative). 'Sretnu Novu godinu' is the wish (Accusative), as in 'I wish you a...'. In speech, both are fine.
Usually after the first week of January. By January 10th, it starts to feel a bit old, unless it's the very first time you're seeing someone that year.
No, only the first word: 'Nova godina'. The second word 'godina' is only capitalized if it's the start of a sentence.
Yes, but you would usually specify: 'Sretna Kineska Nova godina'.
Related Phrases
Sretan Božić
similarMerry Christmas
Sve najbolje
synonymAll the best
Ugodni blagdani
builds onPleasant holidays
Sretna Nova!
specialized formHappy New!
