Ringing in the new year with a Korean happy new year greeting brings warmth and good fortune. The most common phrase, “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo,” means “Please receive much blessings in the new year.” Koreans use it for both January 1st and Seollal, the Lunar New Year. This simple yet profound wish reflects hopes for prosperity, health, and happiness.
Many families gather during Seollal to honor ancestors and share meals. Younger ones bow deeply in sebae, receiving wisdom and small gifts in return. Whether formal or casual, these greetings strengthen bonds. You’ll find options here for every relationship and tone, all rooted in respect and joy.
Quick Answer
The traditional Korean happy new year greeting is “새해 복 많이 받으세요” (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo), meaning “May you receive many blessings in the new year.” Use it politely for elders or formally; a casual version is “새해 복 많이 받아” for friends.
TL;DR
• Choose polite forms for elders and formal settings.
• Add health or happiness for personal touch.
• Pair with a bow during Seollal for tradition.
• Keep messages sincere and concise.
• Share early for good fortune vibes.
• Adapt for family, friends, or colleagues.
Traditional Korean New Year Greetings
These classic phrases carry deep cultural meaning. They focus on receiving blessings and good luck. Many use them during family rituals or card exchanges.
• May you receive abundant blessings in the new year ahead.
• Wishing you much fortune and prosperity this year.
• Please accept lots of good luck for the coming year.
• May blessings fill your home in the new year.
• Receive plenty of happiness and fortune this year.
• Hoping the new year brings you endless good luck.
• May you be showered with blessings and joy.
• Wishing you a year rich in fortune and peace.
• Accept many blessings as the new year begins.
• May good fortune follow you throughout the year.
• Please receive bountiful luck in this fresh year.
• Hoping your new year overflows with blessings.
• May prosperity and happiness come your way.
• Wishing you a fortunate and joyful new year.
• Receive great blessings for health and success.
• May the new year grant you much good fortune.
Seollal Wishes
Seollal brings families together for ancestral honors and feasts. These wishes evoke that festive spirit, often shared during bows or meals.
• Happy Seollal filled with family warmth and joy.
• May Seollal bring you peace and prosperity.
• Wishing you a blessed Lunar New Year celebration.
• Enjoy Seollal with loved ones and good fortune.
• May this Seollal overflow with happiness.
• Happy Lunar New Year full of traditions and cheer.
• Wishing you joyful Seollal moments and blessings.
• May Seollal renew your hopes and dreams.
• Celebrate Seollal with health and abundance.
• Happy Seollal surrounded by family love.
• May the Lunar New Year bring you fortune.
• Wishing peaceful and prosperous Seollal days.
• Enjoy the beauty of Seollal traditions.
• May Seollal fill your heart with gratitude.
• Happy Lunar New Year with endless joy.
• Wishing you a memorable and blessed Seollal.
Heartfelt Korean New Year Greetings
These messages come from the heart. They express sincere emotions and deep care for the recipient’s well-being.
• May the new year wrap you in warmth and happiness.
• Wishing you a year of meaningful moments and peace.
• From my heart, abundant blessings for your new year.
• May joy and love guide you through the year.
• Hoping your new year shines with hope and kindness.
• Wishing you deep peace and fulfillment ahead.
• May the coming year heal and uplift your spirit.
• Sending sincere wishes for your happiness always.
• May your new year bloom with beauty and grace.
• Heartfelt blessings for health and serenity.
• Wishing you a year touched by gentle joys.
• May warmth and goodwill fill your days.
• From the heart, prosperity and contentment.
• Hoping the new year brings you inner strength.
• Sincere wishes for a truly fulfilling year.
• May love and light surround you always.
Formal Korean New Year Greetings
Perfect for elders, colleagues, or respectful settings. These maintain politeness and tradition.
• Please receive many blessings in the new year.
• Wishing you prosperity and good health formally.
• May the new year bring you great fortune.
• Accept abundant good luck this coming year.
• Hoping for your continued success and happiness.
• Formal wishes for a prosperous new year.
• May blessings abound for you and yours.
• Please enjoy a year of peace and achievement.
• Wishing respectful fortune in the year ahead.
• May good health and success accompany you.
• Formal greetings for a blessed new year.
• Accept my sincere wishes for prosperity.
• Hoping the year grants you much joy.
• May fortune smile upon you this year.
• Respectful blessings for health and harmony.
• Wishing you a distinguished and fortunate year.
Casual Korean New Year Greetings
Light and friendly for close friends or peers. These keep things relaxed yet warm.
• Happy New Year—lots of good vibes coming!
• Wishing you an awesome year ahead.
• New year, new fun—cheers to that!
• Hope your year rocks with happiness.
• Casual blessings for a great year.
• Happy New Year, stay awesome!
• May good times roll this year.
• Wishing you chill and joyful days.
• New year luck heading your way.
• Hope the year treats you well.
• Casual cheers to prosperity.
• Happy vibes for the new year.
• May your year be full of laughs.
• Wishing easy joy and fortune.
• New year, best wishes casually.
• Hope it’s a fantastic year.
Korean New Year Greetings for Family
Warm wishes tailored for parents, siblings, or relatives. They emphasize togetherness and care.
• May our family share endless joy this year.
• Wishing health and happiness to my dear family.
• Blessings for our home in the new year.
• Happy New Year to the ones I love most.
• May family bonds grow stronger this year.
• Prosperity and peace for our family always.
• Wishing you all warmth and good fortune.
• New year love to my wonderful family.
• May we create beautiful memories together.
• Health and harmony for our loved ones.
• Family blessings in abundance this year.
• Wishing cozy joy for our home.
• May the year unite us in happiness.
• Loving wishes for family prosperity.
• Happy New Year from my heart to yours.
• Blessings for every family member.
Korean New Year Greetings for Friends
Fun and supportive for buddies. These highlight friendship and shared adventures.
• Happy New Year to my amazing friend.
• Wishing you adventures and laughs this year.
• Cheers to our friendship in the new year.
• May good fortune find you, buddy.
• New year fun with my best pal.
• Hoping your year shines bright.
• Friends like you make years special.
• Wishing joy and success your way.
• Happy vibes for my great friend.
• May the year bring us more memories.
• Prosperity and happiness, friend.
• New year cheers to us.
• Wishing you all the best ahead.
• Fortune for my awesome friend.
• Happy New Year—let’s make it epic.
• Blessings to my lifelong pal.
Blessings-Focused Korean New Year Greetings
Centered on fortune, health, and good luck. Ideal for traditional emphasis.
• May blessings shower you this new year.
• Receive abundant fortune and peace.
• Wishing overflowing good luck always.
• Health and prosperity as your blessings.
• May many fortunes come your way.
• Blessings of joy for the year.
• Good luck filling your days ahead.
• Wishing rich blessings and harmony.
• May fortune bless your path.
• Abundant health as your gift.
• Blessings for success and contentment.
• Receive great luck this year.
• Prosperity blessings to you.
• May peace be your constant blessing.
• Fortune and happiness combined.
• Wishing endless positive blessings.
Happy Seollal Greetings
Joyful wishes specifically for Lunar New Year festivities.
• Happy Seollal with family and traditions.
• Joyful Lunar New Year to you.
• Wishing a vibrant Seollal celebration.
• Happy Seollal full of warmth.
• May Seollal bring bright happiness.
• Celebrate happily this Lunar New Year.
• Wishing festive Seollal cheer.
• Happy Seollal and good fortune.
• Joy to your Seollal days.
• Lunar New Year happiness always.
• Wishing wonderful Seollal moments.
• Happy and prosperous Seollal.
• Seollal joy and peace.
• Celebrate Seollal with smiles.
• Wishing blessed Lunar festivities.
• Happy Seollal surrounded by love.
Short Korean New Year Greetings
Quick and sweet for texts or cards.
• Happy New Year blessings!
• Much fortune this year.
• Wishing you prosperity.
• Good luck ahead.
• Joyful new year.
• Health and happiness.
• Abundant blessings.
• Prosperous year.
• Warm wishes.
• Fortune awaits.
• Happy and healthy.
• Peaceful year.
• Great luck.
• Joy always.
• Blessed year.
• Cheerful greetings.
Long Korean New Year Messages
Thoughtful and detailed for deeper connections.
• As the new year dawns, may it bring you endless opportunities, strong health, and the warmth of loved ones surrounding you always.
• Wishing you a year where dreams take flight, challenges turn to triumphs, and every day feels filled with promise and peace.
• May the coming year wrap you in prosperity, guide you with wisdom, and fill your life with meaningful joys and connections.
• Hoping this new year renews your spirit, strengthens your resolve, and showers you with fortune in all you pursue.
• In this fresh year, may health bloom, happiness grow, and good fortune follow every step you take forward.
• Wishing you twelve months of serenity, success in endeavors, and the gentle blessings that make life truly rich.
• May the new year unfold beautifully, bringing growth, laughter, and abundant reasons to smile each day.
• As we turn the page, may prosperity embrace you, peace settle in your heart, and joy light your path ahead.
• Hoping the year ahead gifts you resilience, rewarding moments, and the deep contentment of a life well lived.
• May this year offer healing where needed, excitement in adventures, and lasting fortune in all matters big and small.
• Wishing a year of balanced days, achieved goals, and the quiet happiness found in simple, shared blessings.
• As the calendar refreshes, may your world expand with possibilities, warmth, and unwavering good luck.
• May the new year bring clarity to dreams, strength to pursuits, and overflowing joy in everyday graces.
• Hoping for a year where kindness returns, efforts bear fruit, and peace becomes your constant companion.
• In the year to come, may health thrive, relationships deepen, and fortune smile brightly upon you.
• Wishing you a tapestry of beautiful days woven with success, love, and the gentle magic of new beginnings.
Inspirational Korean New Year Greetings
Motivational messages to encourage growth and hope.
• May the new year inspire bold dreams and brave steps.
• Embrace fresh beginnings with courage and optimism.
• Wishing you strength to chase inspiring goals.
• Let this year fuel your passions and purpose.
• May hope guide you to greater heights.
• Inspire others as you shine this year.
• New year, renewed spirit—go achieve wonders.
• Wishing growth and inspiring victories ahead.
• May motivation carry you through triumphs.
• Dream big; the year supports your journey.
• Inspire yourself daily with new possibilities.
• Wishing resilient hope and bold pursuits.
• Let inspiration lead to fulfilling days.
• May the year spark creativity and drive.
• Rise stronger with each new opportunity.
• Wishing an uplifting and purposeful year.
Professional Korean New Year Greetings
Polished for work or business contacts.
• Wishing you professional success this new year.
• May prosperity bless your endeavors ahead.
• Formal greetings for continued achievement.
• Hoping for productive and rewarding months.
• Blessings for career growth and harmony.
• Wishing smooth progress in your work.
• May the year bring professional fortune.
• Respectful wishes for team success.
• Prosperity in all business pursuits.
• Wishing balanced success and health.
• Formal blessings for accomplishments.
• May opportunities abound professionally.
• Hoping for collaborative wins ahead.
• Wishing strategic growth this year.
• Professional fortune and peace.
• May efforts yield great results.
Korean New Year Greetings for Loved Ones
Tender for partners or close relationships.
• My love, may our year overflow with joy.
• Wishing you endless happiness beside me.
• New year blessings for us together.
• May love deepen in the coming year.
• Happy New Year to my dearest heart.
• Fortune and warmth for you always.
• Wishing shared dreams come true.
• My beloved, prosperity and peace.
• Year of more love and laughter.
• Blessings wrapped in our bond.
• Happy New Year, my everything.
• May we grow closer this year.
• Loving wishes for your joy.
• Fortune in our shared path.
• Warmth and happiness forever.
• New year love to you.
Simple Korean New Year Wishes
Straightforward and easy to share.
• Simple blessings this new year.
• Wishing peace and fortune.
• Happy year ahead simply.
• Good luck always.
• Joy and health.
• Prosperous days.
• Warm greetings.
• Fortune comes.
• Healthy year.
• Peaceful wishes.
• Happy fortunes.
• Simple joy.
• Good year.
• Blessings received.
• Happy beginnings.
• Quiet prosperity.
Cultural Korean New Year Blessings
Infused with traditional elements like respect and rituals.
• May ancestral blessings protect you this year.
• Wishing fortune through cultural traditions.
• Blessings rooted in family honor.
• May rituals bring you deep peace.
• Cultural joy and prosperity ahead.
• Honoring roots with new year luck.
• Blessings from heartfelt bows.
• Traditional fortune fills your year.
• May customs guide your happiness.
• Cultural warmth and good luck.
• Blessings in hanbok and harmony.
• Ancestral wisdom for your path.
• Traditional feasts of joy.
• May culture enrich your year.
• Respectful blessings always.
• Heritage brings fortune.
FAQs
How do you say Happy New Year in Korean?
The main phrase is “새해 복 많이 받으세요” (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo). It means wishing someone many blessings. Use the casual “새해 복 많이 받아” with close friends.
What is the Korean Lunar New Year called?
It’s called Seollal. This major holiday follows the lunar calendar and focuses on family, ancestors, and traditions like eating tteokguk soup.
How do Koreans celebrate Seollal?
Families gather for ancestral rites called charye. Younger members perform deep bows (sebae) to elders. They share traditional foods and play folk games.
What is the traditional Korean New Year greeting?
“Saehae bok mani badeuseyo” remains the most traditional. It emphasizes receiving good fortune and works for both solar and lunar celebrations.
When is Korean New Year 2026?
The solar New Year falls on January 1. Seollal (Lunar) arrives later—check the lunar calendar, often in late January or February.
What food do Koreans eat on New Year?
Tteokguk rice cake soup stands out, symbolizing a new age. Families also enjoy jeon pancakes, fruits, and other ritual dishes.
What is sebae in Korean culture?
Sebae involves younger people kneeling and bowing deeply to elders. They offer New Year wishes and receive money or advice in return.
Conclusion
A Korean happy new year greeting like “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo” shares more than words—it spreads hope and connection. Whether for Seollal or January 1, these wishes bring prosperity and joy. Pick one that fits and share the warmth today.

Emma Carson is a USA-based writer with over 10 years of experience creating heartfelt wishes, meaningful greetings, and celebration guides. She specializes in crafting warm, inclusive messages for birthdays, anniversaries, baby milestones, holidays, and everyday encouragement. Emma brings a strong background in family writing, relationship communication, and emotional storytelling, helping readers find the perfect words for life’s biggest moments.