Happy New Year or Happy New Years: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The phrase Happy New Year is the standard greeting used worldwide to mark the start of the calendar year. Using Happy New Years with an extra S is considered a grammatical mistake by most style guides. This guide explains the difference between these two forms so you can greet everyone correctly without error.
The Short Answer
Happy New Year is the standard greeting; Happy New Years is a mistake.
People often add an S because they view the year as plural or think they are speaking to many different people. However, the greeting refers to the single upcoming holiday event, not a collection of dates, so the singular form remains the correct choice in almost every context.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Happy New Year | Correct | For greetings, cards, and speech |
| Happy New Years | Incorrect | Avoid this form entirely |
| Year | Noun | Refers to a single time unit |
| Years | Noun | Refers to multiple time units |
Correct Example Sentences
- Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with joy.
- Send me a card with Happy New Year written inside.
- I hope you have a Happy New Year with your family.
- The fireworks celebrate a Happy New Year for everyone.
- Please sign the guestbook with Happy New Year.
- Our team wishes you a Happy New Year ahead.
- May your Happy New Year bring new opportunities.
- Remember to say Happy New Year to your friends.
- The holiday season ends with a Happy New Year.
- I look forward to a Happy New Year.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- Have a Happy New Years party.
- Have a Happy New Year party.
- Happy New Years to you and yours.
- Happy New Year to you and yours.
- I got a note that said Happy New Years.
- I got a note that said Happy New Year.
- Sending Happy New Years greetings.
- Sending Happy New Year greetings.
- The sign reads Happy New Years.
- The sign reads Happy New Year.
- Wish you a Happy New Years.
- Wish you a Happy New Year.
A Quick Test You Can Use
To check if your greeting is correct, ask yourself if you are referring to one specific upcoming holiday or if you are counting multiple years. Since the phrase always refers to the singular event of the next calendar start, the singular noun Year must be used regardless of how many people receive the message.
Related Word Pairs
- Advice vs Advise
- Advice is a noun, advise is a verb
- Principal vs Principle
- Principal is a person or leader, principle is a rule
- Complement vs Complete
- Complement means to complete or fit, complete means to finish
- Stationary vs Stationery
- Stationary means not moving, stationery means paper
- Effect vs Affect
- Effect is usually a noun, affect is usually a verb
