New Year’s Eve in Norway – called nyttårsaften – is a spectacular celebration filled with fireworks, champagne, and hopes for the year ahead. Whether you’re celebrating in Norway or just want to wish your Norwegian friends a happy new year, this guide covers all the vocabulary and traditions you need to know!
🎯 Make “Lære norsk” Your New Year’s Resolution!
Practice vocabulary daily with fun crossword puzzles
Essential New Year Vocabulary
| Norwegian | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| nyttår | New Year | NEET-or |
| nyttårsaften | New Year’s Eve | NEET-ors-AF-ten |
| nyttårsdag | New Year’s Day | NEET-ors-dahg |
| godt nyttår | Happy New Year | got NEET-or |
| midnatt | midnight | MID-naht |
| fyrverkeri | fireworks | FEER-verk-eh-ree |
| champagne | champagne | sham-PAN-yeh |
| nyttårsforsett | New Year’s resolution | NEET-ors-for-SET |
New Year Greetings 🎉
Godt nyttår!
Happy New Year!
Riktig godt nyttår!
Really Happy New Year!
Skål for det nye året!
Cheers to the new year!
Ha et fantastisk nyttår!
Have a fantastic New Year!
💡 When to Say “Godt Nyttår”
It’s common to say “godt nyttår” when meeting someone for the first time in the new year. You might hear it well into mid-January!
The Countdown! 🕐
Count down in Norwegian:
TINIÅTTESYVSEKS
FEMFIRETRETOÉN
🎆 GODT NYTTÅR! 🎆
Fireworks (Fyrverkeri) 🎆
Fireworks are a huge part of Norwegian New Year celebrations. Unlike many countries, Norway allows private citizens to buy and set off fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| fyrverkeri | fireworks |
| rakett | rocket |
| stjerneskudd | sparkler |
| smell | bang |
⚠️ Safety Phrases
- Vær forsiktig! – Be careful!
- Hold avstand! – Keep your distance!
- Ikke rør blindgjengere! – Don’t touch duds!
Norwegian New Year Traditions 🇳🇴
“Dinner for One”
One of Norway’s quirkiest traditions is watching this British comedy sketch every December 31st. “Same procedure as every year!”
The King’s Speech
At 7 PM, many watch Kongens nyttårstale. King Harald V reflects on the past year and shares hopes for the future.
Midnight Toast
At midnight, Norwegians toast with champagne or musserende vin and wish each other “Godt nyttår!”
New Year’s Resolutions (Nyttårsforsetter) 📝
Making New Year’s resolutions is popular in Norway too! Here are some common ones:
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| trene mer | exercise more |
| spise sunnere | eat healthier |
| spare penger | save money |
| lære noe nytt | learn something new |
| 🎯 lære norsk | learn Norwegian |
| reise mer | travel more |
| lese flere bøker | read more books |
| være mer positiv | be more positive |
🗣️ How to Talk About Your Resolutions
- 📌 Mitt nyttårsforsett er å… – My New Year’s resolution is to…
- 📌 I år skal jeg… – This year I will…
- 📌 Jeg har bestemt meg for å… – I have decided to…
- 📌 Hva er ditt nyttårsforsett? – What is your New Year’s resolution?
Party Vocabulary 🥳
| 🎉 nyttårsfest New Year’s party |
🎈 ballonger balloons |
| 🎊 konfetti confetti |
🥂 skål! cheers! |
| 👯 gjester guests |
💃 danse dance |
Sample Conversation 💬
A: Godt nyttår!
B: Godt nyttår til deg også! Hvordan var nyttårsaften?
A: Det var kjempebra! Vi så på fyrverkeri og feiret med venner.
B: Så fint! Har du noen nyttårsforsetter?
A: Ja, jeg skal lære mer norsk i år!
B: Lykke til med det!
📖 Click to see English translation
A: Happy New Year!
B: Happy New Year to you too! How was New Year’s Eve?
A: It was great! We watched fireworks and celebrated with friends.
B: How nice! Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
A: Yes, I’m going to learn more Norwegian this year!
B: Good luck with that!
Start the New Year by Learning Norwegian! 🚀
🎯 Make “lære norsk” Your Resolution!
Practice Norwegian vocabulary through fun crossword puzzles. Track your progress and maintain your learning streak throughout 2026.
🎆 Godt nyttår! 🎆
May your new year be filled with learning, growth, and plenty of Norwegian!
Practice What You’ve Learned
Test your knowledge of norwegian new year words with this interactive crossword puzzle:
Can’t see the puzzle? Play on NorskKryss.no