The Greek word for Christmas is Christougena or Christougenna, which literally means “birth of Christ.” When the Greeks say ‘Merry Christmas’, they say ‘ Kala Christougena’. The apparent g sound is pronounced like a y.
During the winter tourist season, you will likely see it as Kalo christougenna as well, but kala is correct too, and in Greek letters, “Merry Christmas” is written as Καλά Χριστούγεννα.
The Greek influence at Christmas
Greek has also had an impact on the written abbreviation of Christmas as “Christmas.” While this is sometimes considered a disrespectful way of writing it, for the Greeks it is a way of writing the word using the cross symbolized by the “X”. It is considered a perfectly respectful way of writing Christmas rather than a casual abbreviation.
Greece also has its own musical traditions around the holidays. In fact, the English word for Christmas carol comes from the Greek dance, the Choraulein, which is performed to flute music. Christmas carols were originally sung during festivals around the world, including in Greece, so this tradition still lives on in many of the country’s major cities and small towns.
Some even believe that Santa Claus originated in Greece. Around AD 300, Bishop Agios Nikolaos was said to have thrown gold down chimneys to help alleviate poverty. Although there are many origin stories for Santa Claus, this may be one of the oldest and largest influences on modern lore and the North Pole man lore.
How to say happy new year in Greek
Around the holidays, you will also hear Chronia Polla , which is how Greeks wish each other a happy new year, and it literally means “many years” and serves as a wish for a long life and happy years to come.
You will also likely see this phrase hanging from lights on the main roads that run through many towns and small towns in Greece, but it is sometimes spelled in English as Xronia Polla or Hronia Polla , while the Greek letters for the phrase will read Χρόνια Πολλά .
The most formal New Year’s greeting is a tongue twister: Eftikismenos or kenourisos kronos , which means ‘Happy New Year’, but most people in Greece just keep the shorter Chronia Polla . However, if you can master both, you are sure to impress at least one Greek on your trip to this European country.
