Signification
Greeting for the Christmas holiday.
Contexte culturel
Christmas is a 3-day public holiday. The greeting is often accompanied by the exchange of 'cozonac' and visiting neighbors. In this northern region, traditions are very strict. People wear traditional costumes and use the greeting while caroling with a 'Steaua' (Star). For Romanians living abroad, 'Crăciun fericit' is a vital link to their heritage, often sent via WhatsApp with photos of traditional food. The church uses 'Nașterea Domnului' (The Birth of the Lord) formally, but priests will still wish the congregation 'Crăciun fericit' during the service.
The 'La fel' Rule
If someone says 'Crăciun fericit' to you, the easiest and most natural response is 'Mulțumesc, la fel!' (Thanks, same to you!).
Gender Matters
Never say 'Crăciun fericită'. Even though 'sărbătoare' is feminine, 'Crăciun' is masculine.
Signification
Greeting for the Christmas holiday.
The 'La fel' Rule
If someone says 'Crăciun fericit' to you, the easiest and most natural response is 'Mulțumesc, la fel!' (Thanks, same to you!).
Gender Matters
Never say 'Crăciun fericită'. Even though 'sărbătoare' is feminine, 'Crăciun' is masculine.
Timing
Start saying it on the evening of the 24th. Saying it on the 23rd is okay, but 'Sărbători fericite' is more common then.
Handshakes
In Romania, holiday greetings are often accompanied by a firm handshake or, among friends, two kisses on the cheeks.
Teste-toi
Complete the standard Romanian Christmas greeting.
Crăciun ________!
'Crăciun' is a masculine singular noun, so it requires the masculine singular adjective 'fericit'.
Which of the following is a formal way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in an email?
Select the best option:
This uses the formal pronoun 'Vă' and the full verb 'doresc', making it appropriate for professional contexts.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Andrei: 'Crăciun fericit, Mihai!' Mihai: '________, Andrei!'
'Mulțumesc, la fel' (Thank you, the same to you) is the standard polite response to a holiday greeting.
Match the greeting to the correct time of year.
When should you say 'Crăciun fericit'?
This phrase is specific to the Christmas holiday in December.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Christmas vs. New Year
Holiday Vocabulary
People
- • Moș Crăciun
- • Colindători
- • Familie
Objects
- • Cadou
- • Brad
- • Steaua
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesCrăciun ________!
'Crăciun' is a masculine singular noun, so it requires the masculine singular adjective 'fericit'.
Select the best option:
This uses the formal pronoun 'Vă' and the full verb 'doresc', making it appropriate for professional contexts.
Andrei: 'Crăciun fericit, Mihai!' Mihai: '________, Andrei!'
'Mulțumesc, la fel' (Thank you, the same to you) is the standard polite response to a holiday greeting.
When should you say 'Crăciun fericit'?
This phrase is specific to the Christmas holiday in December.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in Romania it is a cultural greeting as much as a religious one. Most people will appreciate the wish regardless of their faith.
It is always 'Crăciun fericit'. The other way sounds like a literal translation from English and is not natural.
Usually after the 26th of December. By the 27th, people start looking forward to the New Year.
'Crăciun' is specifically Christmas. 'Sărbători' means 'Holidays' and covers the whole season.
You can write 'Vă doresc un Crăciun fericit alături de cei dragi!'
No, only 'Crăciun' is typically capitalized as it is the name of the holiday.
Not really, but young people might shorten it in texts to 'Crăciun feri'.
You can just say 'Sărbători fericite', which is often easier to remember.
Yes, the phrase is identical in the Republic of Moldova.
No, for birthdays use 'La mulți ani!'.
Expressions liées
Sărbători fericite
similarHappy Holidays
La mulți ani
builds onHappy New Year / Happy Birthday
Hristos se naște
specialized formChrist is born
Un an nou fericit
builds onA happy new year
Ajunul Crăciunului
relatedChristmas Eve
