How to wish someone a Happy New Year in Italian: the best phrases

In Italy, New Year’s wishes are not limited to a single phrase. Depending on the context, the register and the relationship with the person you are addressing, expressions range from the simplest to the most elaborate. Here is a complete overview of the phrases to know, from the classic to the original.

Buon anno and Felice anno nuovo: the two basic expressions

These two expressions are the most widely used. They work in any context, spoken or written, with people close to you or with strangers.

Buon anno and felice anno nuovo can be used for several weeks after 1 January: in Italy it is perfectly normal to wish someone a happy new year if you haven’t seen them since New Year’s Eve, even in February.

Formal expressions for a professional context

In a professional email, a letter or a message to a superior or a client, the standard phrases give way to more elaborate forms.

Warm expressions for friends and family

With people close to them, Italians like to personalise their wishes. These expressions go beyond a simple greeting and convey a sincere intent.

Original and enthusiastic expressions

To surprise someone or add a burst of energy to your wishes, these expressions step outside the usual register.

How to reply to wishes in Italian

Receiving wishes calls for a response. Here are the phrases for replying naturally, depending on the register.

Italian response	Translation	Register
Grazie, anche a te!	Thanks, same to you!	informal, universal
Altrettanto!	Same to you!	short, informal
Grazie di cuore, anche a te un anno splendido!	Thank you from the bottom of my heart, may you too have a splendid year!	warm, close friends
Grazie mille, che sia un anno fantastico per tutti!	A thousand thanks, may it be a fantastic year for everyone!	enthusiastic, groups
La ringrazio, auguri anche a lei.	Thank you, best wishes to you too.	formal, polite address
Grazie, ti auguro la stessa cosa!	Thanks, I wish you the same!	informal, spontaneous

New Year’s vocabulary in Italian

Knowing the key words of the celebration helps you understand the conversations and messages you receive during this period.

English	Italian	Example of use
New Year’s Day	il Capodanno	Cosa fai a Capodanno? (What are you doing for New Year’s Day?)
New Year’s Eve	la notte di San Silvestro	Festeggiamo la notte di San Silvestro insieme.
wishes	gli auguri	Fare gli auguri (to extend one’s wishes)
the new year	l’anno nuovo	Benvenuto anno nuovo! (Welcome, new year!)
the toast / to toast	il brindisi / brindare	Facciamo un brindisi! (Let’s make a toast!)
the countdown	il conto alla rovescia	Il conto alla rovescia è iniziato.
fireworks	i fuochi d’artificio	I fuochi d’artificio illuminano il cielo.
resolutions	i buoni propositi	Quali sono i tuoi buoni propositi? (What are your resolutions?)
midnight	la mezzanotte	A mezzanotte ci abbracciamo. (At midnight we hug each other.)
the party / the evening	la festa	Organizziamo una festa di Capodanno.

New Year’s traditions in Italy

Understanding the cultural context helps you use wishes more naturally. New Year’s in Italy is one of the most important celebrations of the year.

La notte di San Silvestro. 31 December takes the name of notte di San Silvestro, in honour of Pope Sylvester I whose feast day falls on that date. Italians gather with family or friends for a big dinner, the cenone di fine anno.

Le cotechino e lenticchie. The traditional New Year’s Eve dish is the cotechino sausage served with lentils (lenticchie). The lentils symbolise prosperity and wealth to come: their round shape is reminiscent of coins. In some regions, zampone is served instead, a variant made with stuffed pig’s trotter.

Fireworks and firecrackers. At midnight, fuochi d’artificio light up the skies over major cities. Naples is particularly well known for the intensity of its fireworks. An old tradition, now in decline, involved throwing old objects out of windows to leave the past behind.

La Befana. Although not directly linked to New Year’s, the Befana arrives on 6 January and officially closes the festive season in Italy. This old woman brings gifts to well-behaved children and coal to those who were not. The expression L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via (the Epiphany takes all the celebrations away) marks the end of the festive period.

New Year’s Eve songs. Music plays an important role in Italian festivities. As with other celebratory occasions, certain famous Italian songs return every year at New Year’s Eve parties — popular tunes that liven up family gatherings and public events alike.

Summary table: all expressions by context

Context	Italian expression	Translation
Universal, spoken	Buon anno!	Happy New Year!
Universal, warm	Felice anno nuovo!	Happy New Year! (joyful new year)
On 1 January	Buon Capodanno!	Happy New Year’s Day!
Professional, email	Auguri di buon anno!	Best wishes for the New Year!
Formal, letter	Le porgo i miei migliori auguri.	I extend my best wishes to you.
Family, close ones	Tanti auguri di buon anno!	Many best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Personal message	Ti auguro un anno pieno di felicità!	I wish you a year full of happiness!
Enthusiastic	Un anno straordinario ti aspetta!	An extraordinary year is waiting for you!
Group / collective	Buon anno a tutti!	Happy New Year to everyone!
Short reply	Grazie, anche a te!	Thanks, same to you!
Formal reply	La ringrazio, auguri anche a lei.	Thank you, best wishes to you too.

Buon anno in writing: text messages, emails and greetings cards

Expressions vary depending on the medium. A text message calls for brevity; a greetings card or professional email allows more elaborate phrasing.

For a text message to a friend:

For a message to family:

For a professional email:

For a general greetings card: