das  Neujahr

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnɔʏjaːɐ̯/

🎆 What does 'das Neujahr' mean?

The word das Neujahr (neuter noun) refers to the first day of the new calendar year, i.e., January 1st.

It can also more generally refer to the time around the turn of the year, including the celebrations and traditions associated with it (e.g., fireworks, resolutions).

• Main meaning: January 1st.
• Extended meaning: The time and festivities around the start of the year.

There are no other articles for this word; it's always das Neujahr. ⚠️ Don't confuse it with Silvester (December 31st).

📚 Grammar of 'Neujahr' in Detail

Das Neujahr is a noun (Substantiv) of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is mostly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms with -e (Neujahres, Neujahre) are less common and often sound a bit more formal or dated.

Declension Plural

The plural form die Neujahre is very rare and usually only used when referring to several specific New Year's Days across different years or in a very poetic context.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Wir wünschen allen ein frohes Neujahr! (We wish everyone a happy New Year!)
2. Was machst du an Neujahr? (What are you doing on New Year's Day?)
3. Die Familie trifft sich immer am Neujahr zum Mittagessen. (The family always meets for lunch on New Year's Day.)
4. Die guten Vorsätze für das Neujahr sind schnell vergessen. (The New Year's resolutions are quickly forgotten.)
5. (Rare) Die Neujahre seiner Kindheit verbrachte er immer bei den Großeltern. (He always spent the New Year's Days of his childhood at his grandparents'.)

🥂 How to use 'das Neujahr'?

Das Neujahr is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Date: To name January 1st. Example: An Neujahr sind die Geschäfte geschlossen. (On New Year's Day, the shops are closed.)
• Greetings & Wishes: In set phrases like "Frohes Neujahr!" ("Happy New Year!") or "Ein gutes neues Jahr!" ("A good new year!") (although 'Jahr' is often used instead of 'Neujahr' here).
• Time Period: To describe the general time around the turn of the year. Example: Über Neujahr fahren wir weg. (We're going away over New Year's.)
• Traditions & Customs: In connection with New Year's resolutions (Neujahrsvorsätze), celebrations, fireworks, etc. Example: Das Neujahrskonzert ist weltberühmt. (The New Year's Concert is world-famous.)

Important Context:

• Neujahr vs. Silvester: Neujahr is January 1st, Silvester is December 31st. This is a common point of confusion for learners.
• Neujahr vs. neues Jahr: Das Neujahr refers specifically to the day or the celebration. Das neue Jahr refers more generally to the entire coming year. Example: Ich wünsche dir alles Gute für das neue Jahr. (I wish you all the best for the new year.) (Refers to the next 365 days).

💡 Mnemonics for 'Neujahr'

1. For the Article (das): Think of das Jahr (the year). Das Neujahr is the start of das Jahr. Both are neuter. It’s ‘das’ because it’s das new Jahr starting.
2. For the Meaning: Imagine at midnight saying: "Ah, a NEU (new) JAHR (year) is beginning!" The word itself tells you what it is: the NEUe JAHR = Neujahr.

Mnemonic phrase: Think of das (the) big party for das Neujahr, the start of das Jahr. It’s all ‘das’! 🥳

⚖️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Neues Jahr: Refers to the entire upcoming year, not just the first day. (e.g., Vorsätze für das neue Jahr - Resolutions for the new year).

😂 A Little New Year's Joke

German:
Kellner: "Frohes Neujahr! Was darf es denn sein?"
Gast: "Etwas, das zu meinen guten Vorsätzen passt." Kellner: "Ein leeres Glas vielleicht?" 😉

English Translation:
Waiter: "Happy New Year! What can I get for you?"
Guest: "Something that fits my New Year's resolutions."
Waiter: "An empty glass, perhaps?" 😉

✒️ Poem for the Turn of the Year

German:
Das Neujahr klopft an

Die Uhr schlägt zwölf, das Glas erhebt,
Ein altes Jahr zu Ende bebt.
Raketen steigen, bunt und klar,
Willkommen heiß ich dich, Neujahr!

Mit Wünschen, Hoffnung, Zuversicht,
Ein neues Blatt, ein neues Licht.
Mög' Glück und Frieden dich begleiten,
Durch alle kommenden Gezeiten.

English Translation:
New Year Knocks

The clock strikes twelve, the glass is raised,
An old year trembles, ending its days.
Rockets ascend, colourful and clear,
Welcome, I hail you, oh dear New Year!

With wishes, hope, and confidence bright,
A new page turned, a brand new light.
May luck and peace be by your side,
Through all the coming future tide.

🧩 Little New Year's Riddle

German:
Ich komme nach der längsten Nacht,
Hab' frischen Anfang mitgebracht.
Man wünscht sich Glück und feiert laut,
Obwohl man mich nur einmal schaut.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I come after the longest night,
Bringing a fresh start, burning bright.
People wish luck and celebrate loud,
Though they only see me once in the crowd.

What am I?

Solution: Das Neujahr (New Year's Day)

ℹ️ Other Interesting Info

Word Composition:

Das Neujahr is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• neu (adjective): new
• Jahr (neuter noun): year

The composition literally means "new year", but refers specifically to the day.

Cultural Notes:

• In Germany, Neujahr (January 1st) is a public holiday (gesetzlicher Feiertag).
• Typical customs include toasting with sparkling wine (Sekt) at midnight, lead pouring (Bleigießen - now often wax pouring), setting off fireworks (actually on Silvester, but part of the New Year celebration), and making New Year's resolutions (gute Vorsätze).