Feliz ano novo
feh-LEES AH-noo NOH-voo
How to say itPart of: Celebrations
“Happy New Year.”
Feliz ano novo is happy new year, said from the 31st for a week or two into January. Próspero ano novo (a prosperous new year) is the card version, often paired with feliz Natal; boas festas (season’s greetings) covers Christmas and New Year together. Brazilians call New Year’s Eve Réveillon: white clothes, and seven waves jumped on the beach.
Looking for happy birthday, cheers and good luck? Celebrations in Portuguese: the guide
EverydayAll Brazilalso: feliz 2027, próspero ano novoReply: Pra você também!
How Brazilians use it
“Feliz ano novo! Que 2027 seja incrível.”
“Happy new year! May 2027 be amazing.”
At midnight, or the first message of January.
“Feliz Natal e próspero ano novo!”
“Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!”
A card.
“Boas festas pra você e sua família!”
“Season’s greetings to you and your family!”
December, covering both holidays.
“Vamos passar o Réveillon em Copacabana.”
“We’re spending New Year’s Eve in Copacabana.”
The party itself.
How to reply
- Pra você também!To you too.
- Feliz ano novo!The same back.
Similar expressions
- Boas festasSeason’s greetings: Christmas and New Year together.
- Feliz NatalMerry Christmas; the Christmas page has it in full.
- RéveillonNew Year’s Eve, the Brazilian way.
- ParabénsCongratulations, for everything else.
Brazil vs Portugal
The same in Portugal, where bom ano and feliz ano novo both serve; Réveillon is the Brazilian name for the night.
Common mistakes
- Don’t write feliz año novo or feliz anno: Portuguese is ano, no tilde, one n (and ânus is something else: the tilde matters in Spanish, not here).
- Don’t say feliz ano on its own the way Spanish says feliz año: Brazilians say the whole feliz ano novo.
- Don’t stop at the 1st: Brazilians wish feliz ano novo well into January.
Frequently asked questions
How do Portuguese speakers say happy new year?
Feliz ano novo! Also próspero ano novo on cards, and boas festas for Christmas and New Year together. In Portugal, bom ano too.
What is the right way to say Happy New Year in Portuguese?
Feliz ano novo, with ano spelled a-n-o: no tilde, one n. The Spanish feliz año nuevo is a different language, and the tilde changes the word.
What is Réveillon in Brazil?
New Year’s Eve: the word is French, the party Brazilian. White clothes for peace, fireworks on the beach, and seven waves jumped for seven wishes.
What does boas festas mean?
Season’s greetings, literally “good festivities”: the December wish that covers Christmas and New Year in one, on cards and in shop windows.