German celebration and well-wishing phrases
What to say for anniversaries, graduations, new year, Easter, and everyday send-offs — real German phrases Germans actually say, with the right occasion for each.
- Frohes neues Jahr!happy new year
- Guten Rutsch!happy new year (said in advance, on New Year's Eve)
- Zum Wohl!cheers, to your health (formal toast)
- Guten Appetit!enjoy your meal, bon appétit
- Alles Gute zum Hochzeitstag!happy wedding anniversary
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Geburt!congratulations on the birth (of a baby)
- Gute Reise!safe travels, have a good trip
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Abschluss!congratulations on graduating
- Gute Besserung!get well soon
- Frohe Ostern!happy Easter
- Frohe Feiertage!happy holidays (general, inclusive)
- Toi, toi, toi!good luck (superstitious, like knocking on wood)
- Schönes Wochenende!have a nice weekend
- Alles Gute!all the best, best wishes
- Schönen Feierabend!enjoy your evening (after work)