Skip to content
How to Say Happy Nowruz in Farsi: Nowruz Mobarak & More
نوروز مبارک (Nowruz Mobarak) is the phrase you’ll hear most — it’s the standard way to say Happy Nowruz in Farsi, and it works in almost any setting. But Persian has several other greetings, each with its own shade of formality, and knowing which one to use is where real fluency starts to show.
This guide covers five authentic ways to wish someone a Happy Nowruz in Farsi, how to pronounce them, how to reply when someone greets you first, and a few cultural notes a quick translation won’t give you.
| Farsi | Meaning | Use it when… |
|---|---|---|
| نوروز مبارکNowruz Mobarak | “Happy Nowruz” | Anyone, anytime — the safe default |
| سال نو مبارکSal-e No Mobarak | “Happy New Year” | Same idea, New Year framing |
| نوروزتان پیروزNowruzetan Pirooz | “May your Nowruz be victorious” | Elders, formal cards, poetic tone |
| عید شما مبارکEid-e Shoma Mobarak | “Happy holiday to you” (formal) | Teachers, in-laws, formal settings |
| عیدت مبارکEidet Mobarak | “Happy holiday” (casual) | Close friends and peers |
Nowruz marks the Persian New Year and the first day of spring, with roots that predate Islam by centuries. Families mark the moment together — setting the Haft-Sin table, visiting relatives, and spending the following thirteen days on renewal, food, and family.
Universal & Formal
“Happy Nowruz!”
The default. Works for strangers, coworkers, elders, and close friends alike — you can’t go wrong with it.
“Happy New Year!”
Directly translates to “Happy New Year” — a natural swap for Nowruz Mobarak when you want the New Year framing.
“May your Nowruz be victorious!”
More formal and poetic. A good choice for handwritten cards or greeting an older relative.
“Happy holiday to you!”
Persians often call Nowruz an “Eid” (holiday). This formal version uses “shoma” — the respectful form of “you.”
Casual — Close Friends & Family
“Happy holiday!”
The casual version of Eid-e Shoma Mobarak, using “et” — the informal “your.” For friends, siblings, and cousins your own age.
“Thank you, you too!”
Not a greeting to open with — this is how you reply. Covered in detail below.
“Mobarak” or “Mubarak”? Same Word, Two Spellings
You’ll see both in English, and both are correct. They’re different transliterations of the same Persian word, مبارک, meaning “blessed” or “happy.” “Mobarak” reflects how it’s pronounced in Iranian Farsi; “Mubarak” is the more Arabic-influenced spelling. Persian speakers use them interchangeably in English and won’t blink at either.
| Phrase | Rough pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Nowruz | now-ROOZ — starts like the English word “now,” then “rooz” rhymes with “goose” |
| Mobarak | moh-baa-ROK — three syllables, light stress on the last one |
| Sal-e No | SAAL-eh no — “sal” rhymes with “doll,” “no” as in English “no” |
| Pirooz | pee-ROOZ — stress on the second syllable |
These are approximations, not strict phonetics — close enough that a Persian speaker will understand you and appreciate the effort. If you want the real thing, hearing a native speaker say it out loud (and repeating it back) beats any written guide.
Persian draws a clear line between formal and informal speech, and greetings are one of the easiest places to see it. The formal shoma (شما) is your default with elders, teachers, in-laws, and anyone you’re meeting for the first time. The informal to (تو) is for close friends, siblings, cousins your own age, and anyone who’s told you to drop the formality.
When in doubt, go formal. Persian speakers are generally forgiving of a guest or learner erring on the polite side, and rarely mind being addressed formally — but the reverse can land oddly. It’s a small habit that goes a long way, and it’s exactly the kind of nuance we build into every lesson at Danaa School — not just vocabulary, but how Farsi is actually spoken.
If someone wishes you a Happy Nowruz first, the simplest reply is to just say it back — but Persian also has a dedicated “thank you, you too”:
“Thank you, you too.” (formal)
Safe in any setting — with elders, at work, or with someone you’ve just met.
“Thanks, you too.” (casual)
The relaxed version, using the common loanword “mersi” for thanks. For friends and family.
English works well too, especially with people who don’t speak Farsi. A short note focused on renewal and hope goes a long way — something like: “Wishing you a Nowruz full of fresh starts, good health, and time with the people you love.” Pairing an English message with even one Farsi phrase, like Nowruz Mobarak, is a small touch that Persian speakers genuinely notice.
Want Your Kids to Say It Themselves?
Danaa School teaches real, living Farsi through music, storytelling, and 1-on-1 lessons — so greetings like these become second nature, not just a phrase memorized for one day a year.
Teaching siblings together? See Farsi for Kids at Danaa School.
How do you say Happy Nowruz in Farsi?
The most common way is “Nowruz Mobarak” (نوروز مبارک). You’ll also hear “Sal-e No Mobarak” (Happy New Year) for the same idea, or “Nowruzetan Pirooz” for a more formal, traditional greeting.
Is it spelled “Nowruz Mobarak” or “Nowruz Mubarak”?
Both spellings are correct. “Mobarak” and “Mubarak” are just different English transliterations of the same Persian word (مبارک), meaning “blessed” or “happy.” Farsi speakers use both spellings interchangeably in English.
How do you pronounce “Nowruz Mobarak”?
Roughly “now-ROOZ moh-baa-ROK.” “Nowruz” starts like the English word “now,” then “rooz” rhymes with “goose.” “Mobarak” has three syllables, with a light stress on the last one.
How do you reply when someone wishes you a Happy Nowruz?
A simple “Mamnoon, shoma ham” (ممنون، شما هم) — “Thank you, you too” — works in almost any setting. With close friends, you can shorten it to the more casual “Mersi, to ham.”
What’s the difference between “Nowruz Mobarak” and “Eid-e Shoma Mobarak”?
They’re used the same way. Persians often refer to Nowruz as an “Eid” (holiday), so “Eid-e Shoma Mobarak” is simply a more formal, respectful alternative to “Nowruz Mobarak” — good for teachers, elders, or anyone you’d address formally.
Can I just say Happy Nowruz in English instead?
Yes, English works fine, especially with people who don’t speak Farsi. But even a short Farsi phrase like “Nowruz Mobarak” shows extra thought and is genuinely appreciated by Persian speakers.
When is Nowruz celebrated?
Nowruz always falls on the spring equinox, landing on March 19, 20, or 21 depending on the year and your time zone. It marks both the first day of spring and the start of the Persian New Year.
Find Your Ideal Teacher
At Danaa School, you can choose your Farsi tutor from a selection of qualified and experienced teachers. Begin an exceptional journey into the world of Persian language!
Book Your Trial Lesson
Want to Learn Farsi at Danaa School?
Here are the best resources for you!
