In German
Guten Rutsch!
Meaning: happy new year (said in advance, on New Year's Eve)
Formal or informal? Casual and warm, said specifically before or on New Year's Eve, not after. Literally “Rutsch” means “slide”, imagining sliding smoothly from one year into the next.
Example sentences
GutenRutschinsneueJahr!
Have a good slide into the new year!
IchwünscheeucheinengutenRutsch.
I wish you a good slide into the new year.
GutenRutsch,bisnächstesJahr!
Happy new year, see you next year!
Grammar note
Full form is “Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr”, often shortened to just “Guten Rutsch!”.
Common mistake
Don't say “Guten Rutsch” on January 1st or later — it only works beforehand, anticipating the new year. Afterward, switch to “Frohes neues Jahr”.
Quick check
Which phrase, literally “good slide”, means “happy new year” said in advance?
More words on this topic
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Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What does “Rutsch” literally mean?
“Slide” — the phrase imagines sliding smoothly from the old year into the new one.
Can I say “Guten Rutsch” after New Year's?
No — switch to “Frohes neues Jahr” once the new year has actually started.