How do you say merry Christmas in French?

In French you say Joyeux Noël, and below I show the pronunciation and a few common alternatives so you can use the right greeting with friends, family or colleagues.

The standard French expression is Joyeux Noël. It literally means Joyful or Happy Christmas, and Noël is normally capitalized as the holiday name. In writing you should keep the diaeresis on the e in Noël to show the two separate vowel sounds.

Pronunciation guide

IPA is /ʒwa.jø nɔ.ɛl/. Simple respelling is zhwa-yuh noh-el. Break it into two parts: Joyeux is /ʒwa.jø/ and Noël is /nɔ.ɛl/ so say them clearly without blending the vowels.

Alternatives and when to use them

For broader seasonal greetings you might hear Joyeuses fêtes or Meilleurs vœux, which fit well in cards or more formal messages. If you plan to wish colleagues or send a card that covers New Year too, use the longer form rather than the short spoken greeting.

When you join family moments like holiday dinners or casual parties, a lighthearted line and a playful outfit can help — for example, pairing your greeting with a festive Christmas sweater for an ugly-sweater party or choosing matching kids christmas sweater designs for family photos. If you prefer a humorous touch at office events, a funny christmas sweater can make the exchange feel relaxed and friendly.

Quick note: practice saying Joyeux Noël aloud a few times, focus on the rounded French vowel in Joyeux and the separated No-ël, and you’ll sound natural in both spoken and written greetings.

Practical phrases and when to use them

Joyeux Noël is the primary greeting for friends and family at Christmas and on cards. For a broader seasonal wish, say Joyeuses fêtes or Bonnes fêtes when you want to include New Year and other year-end holidays. Use Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année in more formal or business contexts to make it explicit that you cover the whole season. Meilleurs vœux works well as a concise, formal closing that wishes the best for the coming year and is common in written messages.

• Joyeux Noël — Literal translation Joyful Christmas. Use with friends, family and short spoken greetings. Pronunciation respelling zhwa-yuh noh-el.
• Joyeuses fêtes — Literal translation Joyful holidays. Use for inclusive seasonal greetings that cover more than Christmas. Pronunciation respelling zhwa-yuhz fet.
• Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année — Formal seasonal phrase for cards and business messages. Pronunciation respelling zhwa-yuhz fet deh fin da-nay.
• Meilleurs vœux — Literal translation Best wishes. Use in formal cards and official emails to wish well for the new year. Pronunciation respelling may-yeur vuh.
• Joyeux Noël et bonne année — Combined greeting for Christmas and New Year. Pronunciation respelling zhwa-yuh noh-el ayt bon an-ay.

Context and register

Informal situations call for short, warm phrasing such as Joyeux Noël. In business or formal correspondences choose Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année or Meilleurs vœux to sound courteous and professional. Spoken greetings are usually brief while written cards allow slightly longer formulations and full sentences. When in doubt, match the length and tone of your message to the relationship you have with the recipient.

Short grammar pointers

Joyeux agrees with Noël because Joyeux is masculine singular and Noël is treated as a masculine noun. Joyeuses is feminine plural to agree with fêtes. The diaeresis on the e in Noël shows that the two vowels are pronounced separately so spellings without the mark are technically incorrect. Noël is normally capitalized when referring to the holiday.

Pronunciation reminders

Break phrases into clear syllables to practise. Joyeux separates as Joyeux with approximate pronunciation zhwa-yuh and Noël separates as No-el with pronunciation noh-el. Watch the French /ʒ/ sound at the start of Joyeux and the rounded vowel in the second syllable. Avoid blending the vowels in Noël into a single sound.

Cultural notes linked to greetings

French speakers often combine Christmas and New Year wishes in cards and emails, so choosing a phrase that covers both is common. References to the late Christmas Eve dinner called Réveillon or to nativity crèches sometimes appear in longer messages, and formal business greetings tend to avoid casual expressions in favour of concise seasonal closings.

Examples for written greetings and photo cards

Short informal lines you can copy or adapt include Joyeux Noël and Joyeux Noël à tous. For formal correspondence try Nous vous souhaitons de joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année et nos meilleurs vœux pour la nouvelle année. If you plan to add a family photo to your card consider coordinating outfits so the image complements the greeting, for example pairing a festive Christmas sweater with matching Christmas pajamas for a relaxed group shot. See our selection of christmas sweater and matching Christmas pajamas for outfit ideas that photograph well.

Sources

• QuillBot
• Andiamo
• STAR Translation Services
• Translate.One

Pronunciation practice

Now that you know the words, focus on sound and rhythm to make your greeting glide naturally. Break the phrase into two parts: Joyeux is pronounced /ʒwa.jø/ and Noël is /nɔ.ɛl/. Tip: Practice each part slowly at first, then join them with a short pause so the diaeresis in Noël stays audible. Imagine the warmth from a thick knit and the gentle crackle of a fire as you speak; that calm pace helps the rounded vowel in Joyeux come through clearly.

Spoken practice lines

Say these aloud a few times, letting the melody of French carry the words. Keep the tone warm, like the scent of pine and spiced cookies drifting from the kitchen.

• Joyeux Noël!
• Joyeux Noël à toi et à ta famille.
• Joyeux Noël et bonne année à vous tous.

Try whispering the phrase as if sharing a secret by the tree, then say it aloud with a smile at the door. Record yourself once and listen back for the rounded /ø/ sound in Joyeux and the distinct No-ël syllables. Small adjustments will make your pronunciation feel more natural.

Examples for written greetings

When you write a card or a message, pick a line that matches the tone you want to send. Short and friendly lines work well on casual cards. Longer lines fit formal messages and business correspondence.

Short informal lines you can copy: Joyeux Noël!; Joyeux Noël à tous.

Formal sentence for cards: Nous vous souhaitons de Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année et nos Meilleurs vœux pour la nouvelle année. Remember to keep accents and the diaeresis in place to show correct pronunciation and respect for the language.

If you are preparing a family photo card, think about how the image complements the text. Wearing a cozy christmas sweater and matching christmas pajamas can give the card a warm, lived-in feeling that echoes the greeting on the page.

Common mistakes and clarifications

People sometimes reach for literal English structures that do not sound natural in French. For example, Bon Noël is not idiomatic. Instead, use Joyeux Noël. Also, watch agreement: Joyeux is masculine singular to match Noël, while Joyeuses agrees with fêtes. Do not drop accents; Noël without the diaeresis can confuse the reader about pronunciation. Finally, avoid blending the two vowels of Noël into one sound; keep No-ël distinct.

Quick tips for confident delivery

Practice in short bursts while enjoying holiday moments: say the greeting while hanging an ornament, or whisper it as you smell the first scent of fir in the house. Match your pace to the scene: a brief spoken greeting in a busy room, a slightly longer sentence on a handwritten card. Let the sound feel as cozy as warm knit against your skin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the direct translation of Merry Christmas in French?

Joyeux Noël literally means Joyful or Happy Christmas.

How do you pronounce Joyeux Noël?

IPA is /ʒwa.jø nɔ.ɛl/. Simple respelling is zhwa-yuh noh-el.

Are there other ways to say it in French?

Yes. Common alternatives include Joyeuses fêtes, Bonnes fêtes, Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année, and Meilleurs vœux depending on formality and whether you include New Year wishes.

Which greeting is best for business or formal cards?

Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année or Meilleurs vœux are typically more formal and appropriate for colleagues or clients.

Is Bon Noël correct?

No. Bon Noël is not idiomatic in French. Use Joyeux Noël instead.

How do you say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year?

Common forms include Joyeux Noël et bonne année or Joyeux Noël et une bonne année.

Should Noël be capitalized?

Yes. Noël is usually capitalized when referring to the holiday.