How to say “Happy New Year” in Korean
- 새해 복 많이 받으세요saehae bok mani badeuseyo
Happy New Year
"Happy New Year" in Korean is 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo). It literally means "receive a lot of blessings in the new year." Koreans use it both on January 1st and on Seollal, the Lunar New Year.
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 새해 복 많이 받아 saehae bok mani bada | Casual | To friends and younger people. Same wish, casual ending. |
| 새해 복 많이 받으세요 saehae bok mani badeuseyo | Polite | The standard greeting for almost everyone, including parents, coworkers, and teachers. |
| 새해 복 많이 받으십시오 saehae bok mani badeusipsio | Formal | Very formal. Common in speeches, company messages, and on TV. |
| 새해에도 건강하세요 saehae-edo geonganghaseyo | Polite | "Stay healthy in the new year too." A caring extra line often added for parents and grandparents. |
| 해피 뉴 이어 haepi nyu ieo | Casual | The English phrase in Korean letters. Young people use it in texts and posts. |
Examples
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Bowing to your grandfather on Seollal
Texting a friend at midnight
A New Year message to your teacher
Tips
Korea has two new years: January 1st and Seollal (설날), the Lunar New Year in late January or February. Seollal is the bigger family holiday, and you can use the same greeting for both.
On Seollal, children bow deeply to elders (세배) while saying 새해 복 많이 받으세요, and elders often give them money called 세뱃돈.
많이 is pronounced "ma-ni" because the ㅎ is silent, so the whole phrase sounds like "sae-hae bok ma-ni ba-deu-se-yo."
Questions learners ask
How do you reply to 새해 복 많이 받으세요?
Say the same thing back: 새해 복 많이 받으세요. With friends you can say 너도 새해 복 많이 받아 (you too, happy New Year).
Can I just say Happy New Year in English to Koreans?
Yes, most people will understand and appreciate it. Saying the Korean phrase, especially to older people, shows real effort and is warmly received.