While most Chinese New Year greetings on this list are said by juniors to their seniors, sun tai geen hong (身體健康) is exchanged between everyone. This is to wish someone a healthy and prosperous year ahead, and is often expressed regardless of age, even by grandparents to their children and grandchildren. In Hong Kong and China, the festival is celebrated over 15 days, during which relatives and friends engage in baai nin (拜年, bai nian in Mandarin). Baai means the respectful clasp of one hand over a fist in front of your chest, and together with nin, meaning year, refers to the activity of visiting a friend or family’s home to exchange gifts and good wishes for the new year. An extremely versatile Chinese New Year greeting, it can be said just as you would say “Happy New Year” to people. Looking for things to do in Chinese New Year in Hong Kong? Check our our list here for some ideas! 3. 學業進步 Hok Yip Jun Bou. Pronunciation: hok yip jun bou. Meaning: Improvement in studies. More about it: If you’re While you are studying how to greet everyone in Chinese for the Lunar New Year, remember to check out our Dos and Don’ts in our Chinese New Year Traditions post to properly prepare yourselves to ring in the new year! 23 Common Chinese New Year Greetings 1. 新年快乐 – Happy Chinese New Year. The most common greeting used during the Chinese New Year festivities are fun but also frazzling, especially if you’re unprepared for the cacophony of noises and the flurry of events permeating homes and streets. But fear not; I’ve rounded up a list of fail-safe greetings that will keep you well-prepared for all the prospective red packets you run into. 壽比南山 (sau6 bei2 naam4 saan1) Meaning: May you live a life with longevity. Used to wish older folks health and longevity during Chinese New Year as well as on their birthdays, this greeting Happy New Year Cards: Many people in Hong Kong will exchange greeting cards, but the primary greeting is usually "新年快樂" (San1 Nin4 Fai3 Lok6). Feel free to use this greeting in cards and written wishes! Social Etiquette: When you greet someone with a traditional CNY phrase, it’s often followed by a handshake or a small bow. Elders may 5 Popular Chinese New Year Wishes for Anyone and for Any Occasion. During the period of Chinese New Year, you can use these very common Chinese New Year sayings to express your best wishes. 1. 大吉大利 — Lots of luck and profits! In Cantonese, the pronunciation of gut (桔, 'mandarin oranges') is the same as gut (吉, 'auspiciousness'). In Mandarin, the most common way to wish your family and close friends a happy Chinese New Year is "Xīnnián hǎo" (新年好), literally meaning 'New Year Goodness' or 'Good New Year'. Another way to say "Happy Chinese New Year" is "Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐), literally meaning 'New Year happiness'. It is a formal greeting typically Common Chinese New Year Greetings: Kung Hei Fat Choi, Sun Tai Kin Hong & More. The Lunar New Year doesn’t officially begin until the second week of February but you’ll probably start to hear people greet each other with “kung hei fat choi” (wishing you a prosperous year) much earlier in the month. Chinese New Year is one of Hong Kong’s biggest celebrations. Whether you’re spending the holiday at home with family and other loved ones or celebrating the festival’s traditions around the city, there are numerous Chinese New Year customs that you should familiarise yourself with for a new, prosperous year ahead. Hong Kong is a hub for innovation and opportunities, and in a city of the hustle economy, we could all use some extra luck in our workplace and career this year. Here are some Chinese New Year greetings for professional success. 年年有餘. Pronunciation: Nin4 nin4 jau5 jyu4; nián nián yǒu yú Overseas students pose for photos with Spring Festival couplets during an event celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year at the Temple Street in south China's Hong Kong, Feb 4, 2024. It is a widely used Chinese New Year greeting of Cantonese-speaking people in different communities around the world, Gong hei faat choy is usually the first thing that’s said when Chinese people greet one another during Chinese New Year. It is usually followed by a genuine wish – “sun tai gin hong” (身體健康), which means ‘Stay Lunar New Year greetings in Hong Kong (© szeyuen via Canva) In Hong Kong and China, the festival spans 15 days. During this time, loved ones practice “baai nin” (拜年, bai nian in Mandarin). Image credit: Citygate. Citygate Outlets, Hong Kong’s largest outlet mall in Tung Chung, is celebrating the Lunar New Year in collaboration with Nestlé KitKat. Visitors will be greeted by a fortune-bringing Lucky Cat and the wish-granting Daruma surrounded by chocolate-themed KitKat bars and beautiful flower lanterns made by students. Chinese New Year is one of Hong Kong’s biggest festivals and is celebrated with red lanterns, lion dances, markets, prayers for good fortune and auspicious cuisines. From interactive installations to festive decorations there are plenty of celebratory events throughout the city to start the new year with joy and prosperity. In Hong Kong, Chinese New Year is a traditional festival where families gather to celebrate. Read on to find out all about the local experiences such as auspicious foods to eat, and festive happenings to enjoy like dragon and lion dances, wishing trees, a night parade, fireworks display and flower markets. Cantonese and Chinese new year greetings are actually written the same. The only difference is about the accent. Here are some of the most popular new year greetings. 心想事成 (xīn xiǎnɡ shì chénɡ) - Whatever you dream of comes true. 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) - Everything goes your way. Chinese New Year is one of Hong Kong’s biggest celebrations. Whether you’re spending the holiday at home with family and other loved ones or celebrating the festival’s traditions around the city, there are numerous Chinese New Year customs that you should familiarise yourself with for a new, prosperous year ahead.
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