How to Say Happy Nowruz “Nowruz Mobarak” in Farsi

Nowruz Mobarak is the standard way to wish someone a happy Persian New Year in Farsi, and it is the phrase you will hear most often in the run-up to and during Nowruz. Getting the greeting right, along with a couple of its variations, is a simple way to join in the celebration properly, whether you are messaging Persian friends, visiting a Persian household, or writing a card to go with a Nowruz gift.

Nowruz Mobarak: The Main Greeting

Written in Persian script as نوروز مبارک, Nowruz Mobarak translates literally to “blessed New Day” or “happy New Day”, since Nowruz itself means “new day”. It is used the way English speakers use “Happy New Year”, said or written to family, friends, neighbours and colleagues from the days just before Nowruz right through the thirteen days of celebration that follow.

How to Pronounce It

Nowruz is pronounced “no-ROOZ”, with the stress on the second syllable and a long “oo” sound as in “moon”. Mobarak is pronounced “mo-baa-RAK”, with a clear “aa” in the middle syllable and the stress falling on the final syllable. Said together, it comes out as “no-ROOZ mo-baa-RAK”. The initial “r” is a light, rolled sound rather than the hard English “r”, but native speakers will understand you easily even without the roll.

Other Common Nowruz Greetings

Sale No Mobarak

سال نو مبارک, Sale No Mobarak, means “happy new year” more literally, using “sal” for year and “no” for new. It is essentially interchangeable with Nowruz Mobarak and you will hear both used at the same gatherings, sometimes by the same person within the same conversation.

Eideh Shoma Mobarak

عید شما مبارک, Eideh Shoma Mobarak, means “may your festival be blessed” and uses the more formal “shoma” for “you”, making it a slightly more respectful greeting suited to elders, in-laws or anyone you would not address casually. A shorter version, Eid Mobarak, is also heard, though it is worth knowing that Eid Mobarak is used far more widely across the Muslim world for Islamic festivals, so context matters: at Nowruz, Iranians usually mean the Persian New Year, not a religious Eid.

When and How to Use These Greetings

Nowruz Mobarak and its variations are used from the final days before the new year right through the full thirteen days of celebration, not just on the day itself. It is common to say it when first seeing someone during this period, similar to how “Happy Christmas” is used throughout the festive season in Britain rather than only on the day. The greeting works equally well in person, over the phone, in a text message, or handwritten inside a card.

Greeting Cards and Gift-Giving

Exchanging cards and small gifts is a well-established part of Nowruz, particularly between close family, and between godparents or older relatives and children. Cards often carry calligraphy of Nowruz Mobarak or Sale No Mobarak alongside spring imagery such as tulips, hyacinths or the Haft Seen table. Common gifts include sweets, fresh fruit, and for children, crisp new banknotes called eidi, given by parents and grandparents as a New Year blessing. If you are choosing a gift for someone celebrating Nowruz, a handcrafted item connected to Persian culture, such as a piece for their Haft Seen table, is always well received alongside the greeting itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the literal meaning of Nowruz Mobarak?

Nowruz means “new day” and Mobarak means “blessed” or “happy”, so together the phrase means “happy new day” or “blessed New Year”, referring to the first day of the Persian calendar.

Is it acceptable for a non-Persian speaker to say Nowruz Mobarak?

Yes. Persian speakers generally appreciate the effort, and the phrase is simple enough to learn and use confidently even without any other Farsi.

What is the difference between Nowruz Mobarak and Eideh Shoma Mobarak?

Nowruz Mobarak is the everyday greeting used with anyone. Eideh Shoma Mobarak is a more formal version, often used with elders or in more respectful settings, since it uses the polite form of “you”.

How do you write Nowruz Mobarak phonetically?

It can be written phonetically as “no-rooz mo-baa-rak”, with the emphasis on the final syllable of each word.

Can Nowruz Mobarak be used the entire holiday period, or only on the first day?

It is used throughout the full thirteen days of Nowruz, not just on the first day, so it remains an appropriate greeting whenever you next see or contact someone during that period.

Sending more than words this Nowruz? Our Nowruz gifts collection and Haft Sin sets are handmade in Persia and delivered worldwide.