Korean Dictionary
How to say "Happy New Year" in Korean
“Happy New Year” in Korean is 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (pronounced "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo").
새해 복 많이 받으세요
Saehae bok mani badeuseyo
Usage & Context
The traditional Korean New Year greeting meaning 'Please receive many blessings in the new year'. Korea celebrates both January 1st and 설날 (Lunar New Year). This phrase is especially important during 설날 celebrations.
Example Sentence
새해 복 많이 받으세요! 올해도 잘 부탁드립니다.
Happy New Year! I look forward to working with you this year too.
How to use 새해 복 많이 받으세요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Happy New Year” is 새해 복 많이 받으세요, romanized as Saehae bok mani badeuseyo.
Usage tip
Check the politeness level before using this word. Korean greetings often change depending on age, relationship, and setting.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 새해 복 많이 받으세요.
Pronunciation Guide
새해 (Saehae) sounds like 'say-hey'. 복 (bok) is pronounced like 'bock' (as in bock beer). 많이 (mani) is 'mah-nee'. 받으세요 (badeuseyo) is 'bah-duh-say-yo'. The 'ㅂ' in '받으세요' is a soft 'b' sound.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
새해 복 많이 받으십시오
Saehae bok mani badeusipsio
A more formal and traditional imperative form, often used when bowing (세배) to elders.
Casual (반말)
새해 복 많이 받아
Saehae bok mani bada
Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
A grandchild performing a New Year's bow (세배) to their grandmother.
할머니, 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 건강하세요.
Grandma, Happy New Year! Please stay healthy.
A junior colleague greeting their boss at the beginning of the year.
부장님, 새해 복 많이 받으세요. 올해도 잘 부탁드립니다.
Manager, Happy New Year. I look forward to your kind cooperation this year too.
A friend sending a New Year's text message to another friend.
친구야, 새해 복 많이 받아! 올해는 꼭 대박 나자!
Hey friend, Happy New Year! Let's definitely hit it big this year!
Cultural Context
This is the quintessential Korean New Year greeting, literally meaning 'Please receive many blessings in the new year'. It's most prominently used during Seollal (설날), the Lunar New Year, which is one of Korea's most important holidays. During Seollal, people perform '세배' (sebae), a traditional deep bow to elders, and receive '세뱃돈' (sebaetdon), New Year's money, along with blessings and good wishes. While also used on January 1st, its cultural weight is much heavier during Seollal.
Editorial note
We check greetings like 새해 복 많이 받으세요 for politeness and timing, since Korean greetings change with relationship, age, and setting.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
새해 복 많이 받으시고 건강하세요.
Happy New Year and stay healthy.
올해도 잘 부탁드립니다.
I look forward to your kind cooperation this year too.
새해 계획
New Year's resolution/plan
Related Expressions
설날
Seollal
Lunar New Year's Day
세배
Sebae
New Year's bow
세뱃돈
Sebaetdon
New Year's money
새해 인사
Saehae insa
New Year's greeting
More Greetings Words
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