Happy New Year! Meaning, Pronunciation & Usage

Meaning 1：New Year greeting (Happy New Year!)

Happy New Year! 🔊

/ˈhæpi nuː ˈjɪr/

interj.

A greeting said to celebrate the start of a new year, wishing someone happiness and good luck.

New Year greeting 🔊

➕

/ˈnuː ˈjɪr ˈɡriːtɪŋ/

interj.

A traditional phrase used to express good wishes for the new year, often exchanged at the stroke of midnight on December 31st.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Happy (hap 'luck') + New (neowe 'new') + Year (gear 'year') from Old English.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture fireworks and cheers at midnight to remember this greeting.

📖 Example

As the clock struck midnight, my phone lit up with messages from friends all saying Happy New Year! 🔊 When the clock struck midnight, my phone lit up with messages from friends all saying 'Happy New Year!'

🔗 Collocations

say Happy New Year – to utter the greeting

wish someone a Happy New Year – to express the hope that someone will have a joyful year

exchange Happy New Year wishes – to share the greeting with others

🔄 Synonyms

New Year's greeting (noun phrase) – A phrase used to convey good wishes for the new year

season's greetings (noun phrase) – A general good wish for the holiday season, often used during New Year and Christmas

best wishes for the new year (noun phrase) – A formal expression of hope for someone's happiness in the coming year

📖 Cultural Story

The greeting 'Happy New Year' dates back to 16th-century England, evolving from earlier wishes for a prosperous year. It became universal with the adoption of January 1st as the new year's start.