Neujahrsvorsätze in German: Vocabulary, Phrases, and Examples
As the year comes to an end, many people start thinking about what they want to change or improve. In German, these goals are called Neujahrsvorsätze, or in English New Year’s resolutions. This topic is also very common in Germany at the end of the year and in the first weeks of January.
In this article, you will learn how to talk about Neujahrsvorsätze in German, including useful vocabulary, common expressions, and real-life examples. This will help you understand everyday conversations and take part in small talk in German.
Talking about Neujahrsvorsätze is also a great way to speak about your own goals, including learning German.
Recommended study materials on the topic:
A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
German Verb Charts: Learning Regular and Irregular Verbs at a glance
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Neujahrsvorsätze in Germany
In Germany, Neujahrsvorsätze are usually discussed in a realistic and calm way. Many people think carefully about what they want to improve or change, but they are also honest about how difficult change can be.
Typical topics include health, work-life balance, stress, personal development, and learning new skills. Germans often talk about their resolutions openly, but they also joke about not keeping them for very long.
If you learn how to talk about Neujahrsvorsätze in German, you will sound more natural and confident in everyday conversations.
What does Neujahrsvorsatz mean?
Neujahrsvorsätze means New Year’s resolutions.
das Neujahr = New Year
der Vorsatz (plural: die Vorsätze) = resolution, intention
A Neujahrsvorsatz is something you want to start doing, stop doing, or improve in the new year.
Example:
Viele Menschen machen sich Neujahrsvorsätze. = Many people make New Year’s resolutions.
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How to express Neujahrsvorsätze in German
Here are the most common sentence structures Germans use when talking about New Year’s resolutions.
1. Mein Vorsatz ist, …
this sounds clear and neutral
Example:
Mein Vorsatz ist, gesünder zu essen. = My resolution is to eat healthier.
2. Ich nehme mir vor, …
This is one of the most important expressions.
Grammar rule:
sich etwas vornehmen + zu + infinitive = plan or intend to do sth
Example:
Ich nehme mir vor, mehr Sport zu machen. = I plan to do more sport.
3. Für das neue Jahr habe ich mir vorgenommen, …
This structure is very common in spoken German.
Example:
Für das neue Jahr habe ich mir vorgenommen, weniger Stress zu haben. = For the new year, I have resolved to have less stress.
4. Ich möchte …
This sounds softer and more realistic.
Example:
Ich möchte im neuen Jahr mehr Zeit für mich haben. = I would like to have more time for myself in the new year.
5. Ich will …
This sounds stronger and more direct.
Example:
Ich will weniger arbeiten. = I want to work less.
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Important German verbs constructions
These verbs appear very often when Germans talk about New Year’s resolutions:
sich einen Vorsatz machen – to make a resolution
sich etwas vornehmen – to set oneself a goal / to resolve to do something
einen Vorsatz haben – to have a resolution
einen Vorsatz einhalten – to keep a resolution
einen Vorsatz brechen – to break a resolution
Example:
Es ist nicht leicht, einen Vorsatz einzuhalten. = It is not easy to keep a resolution.
Typical Neujahrsvorsätze in German
These are common New Year’s resolutions you will often hear in Germany:
mehr Sport machen – to exercise more
gesünder essen – to eat more healthily
weniger Zucker essen – to eat less sugar
weniger Stress haben – to have less stress
mehr Zeit für Familie und Freunde haben – to have more time for family and friends
mehr lesen – to read more
besser schlafen – to sleep better
Learning German as a Neujahrsvorsatz (2026)
Learning a language is a very popular and realistic Neujahrsvorsatz in Germany.
Here are natural sentences you can use:
Mein Neujahrsvorsatz für 2026 ist, mein Deutsch zu verbessern.
My New Year’s resolution for 2026 is to improve my German.Ich nehme mir für 2026 vor, regelmäßig Deutsch zu lernen.
For 2026, I plan to study German regularly.Ich möchte 2026 sicherer Deutsch sprechen.
In 2026, I would like to speak German more confidently.Ich will mein Deutsch im Alltag verbessern.
I want to improve my everyday German.
These sentences sound natural and are perfect for everyday conversations.
Talking about success and difficulties
Germans often speak openly about whether a resolution works or not.
Useful expressions:
Das hat gut geklappt. - That worked well.
Das hat nicht so gut geklappt. - That didn’t work so well.
Ich habe mein Ziel erreicht. - I achieved my goal.
Ich habe es versucht. - I tried.
Ich brauche mehr Zeit. - I need more time.
Example
Ich habe mir vorgenommen, mehr Deutsch zu lernen, aber ich brauche noch mehr Zeit.
Vocabulary Table: Neujahrsvorsätze in German
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Neujahr | New Year |
| der Vorsatz | resolution, intention |
| die Vorsätze | resolutions |
| der Neujahrsvorsatz | New Year’s resolution |
| sich einen Vorsatz machen | to make a resolution |
| sich etwas vornehmen | to plan, intend |
| einen Vorsatz haben | to have a resolution |
| einen Vorsatz einhalten | to keep a resolution |
| einen Vorsatz brechen | to break a resolution |
| das Ziel | goal |
| ein Ziel erreichen | to reach a goal |
| die Veränderung | change |
| lernen | to learn |
| üben | to practise |
| verbessern | to improve |
| aufgeben | to give up |
| mehr Sport machen | do more sport |
| gesünder essen | eat healthier |
| weniger Zucker essen | eat less sugar |
| weniger Stress haben | have less stress |
| mehr Zeit für sich haben | have more time for oneself |
| mehr lesen | read more |
| besser schlafen | sleep better |
| Deutsch lernen | learn German |
| mein Deutsch verbessern | improve my German |
Conclusion
Talking about Neujahrsvorsätze in German is a great way to practise real-life German and take part in everyday conversations. This topic helps you talk about goals, changes, and personal development in a natural and realistic way.
Whether your goal is better health, less stress, or improving your language skills, this vocabulary allows you to express yourself clearly and confidently in German.
If you are interested in the challenges behind New Year’s resolutions, you might also enjoy reading this related article about motivation and self-discipline in German culture: What is the meaning of “der innere Schweinehund” in German?
Vielleicht ist Deutsch lernen ja dein Neujahrsvorsatz für 2026.
Bis bald!
Steffie
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Learn how to talk about Neujahrsvorsätze in German with clear vocabulary, common phrases, and natural examples for everyday conversations.