Today we’ll look at how to say happy new year in French: “Bonne année !”, which translates literally to “good year”. Our final example sentence provides a complete and formal way to express this greeting.
Bonne année !
Happy new year!
Pronunciation: [bun ah nay or bɔ na ne]
Happy new year in French
Example sentences
I repeat this first clip twice: Once in the singular and informal (tu) form and once in the plural and formal form (vous).
Je te/vous souhaite une bonne année !
I wish you a happy new year!
Here’s how to wish somebody a happy new year including the actual year.
Je te souhaite une bonne année 2025 (deux mille vingt-cinq) !
I wish you a happy new year 2025!
The French commonly add “bonne santé !” (good health) to the new year’s greeting.
Bonne année et bonne santé !
Happy new year et good health!
Putting it all together, here’s a more complete and formal way to wish somebody a happy new year.
Je te (vous) souhaite une bonne année 2025. Bonne santé et meilleurs vœux pour cette nouvelle année !
I wish you a happy new year 2025. Good health and best wishes for this new year!