Skip to content

“Guten Rutsch”

Happy New Year (said in advance)

GreetingsGeneralA2

Literal Translation

Word for word: “Good slide”

Pronunciation

/ˈɡuːtn̩ ʁʊtʃ/

When to Use This Phrase

Say 'Guten Rutsch' only before New Year, in the last days of December up to midnight on Silvester (New Year's Eve); from 1 January, switch to 'Frohes neues Jahr'. The full phrase, 'Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr', wishes someone a smooth 'slide' into the new year.

Example Sentences

Wir sehen uns im Januar. Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

See you in January. Have a great start to the new year!

Guten Rutsch! — Danke, dir auch!

Happy New Year! — Thanks, you too!

Word Breakdown

gutRutsch

Related Phrases

Test Your German Level

Think you know your German phrases? Take our free level assessment to find out where you stand.

Start Assessment