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 The new year brings a sense of renewal and fresh starts. In Chinese culture, New Year celebrations revolve around spending time with family, honoring traditions, and exchanging good wishes for the year ahead. How do you say Happy New Year in Chinese to your loved ones? A few key phrases are used to convey these Happy New Year sentiments 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 How to say Happy Chinese New Year in Mandarin and Cantonese 10 Most Popular Ways to Say Happy Chinese New Year 2025. There are the most popular Chinese sayings to show your Chinese New Year wishes to people around you. You can also send them a Chinese New Year Cards. 1. 新年好 - Happy Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year is based on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, which influences the timing and cultural significance of the celebrations. Each year on the Chinese calendar is associated with a specific animal sign, influencing cultural traditions and beliefs surrounding luck and personal traits for those born in that year. You see your friend and to start your conversation, instead of just a simple “hi” you can use 新年好 (xīnnián hǎo, “Happy New Year”). Yes, you say “Happy New Year”, but in Chinese, it’s just a greeting – especially if you carry on with your conversation after that. 4. The Year of the Dragon in 2024 is approaching. Learn how to say "Happy Chinese New Year" in Mandarin and Cantonese. Our guide provides 10 ways to express this greeting, with audio examples. Join us to spread Dragon Year blessings and embrace the joy! In China, it's common to wish people "Happy (zodiac animal) New Year!" ahead of - or, just after Lunar New Year. But, you don't have to. You can stick with the standard 'New Year Happiness'. It applies to both New Year observations. Like wishing people a good Snake Year, you can wish friends and neighbors a good New Year (新年好 - xīn nián Start the following lesson on the most popular sayings for Chinese New Year, with written Chinese characters, sound marks in pinyin, human voice pronunciation, and their lucky meanings. Say loudly in Chinese to express your joy and love to your family and friends! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 ways to say Happy New Year in Chinese, just in case you need some brushing up. 1. Happy New Year – san nin faai lok (Cantonese) or xīn nián kuài lè Chinese New Year's Eve (Jan. 28, 2025): 6 Traditions and Activities 1. Putting Up New Year Decorations. Although some people decorate their houses several days before the festival, most people do it on Chinese New Year's Eve. Formal Ways to Say “Chinese Happy New Year” 1. 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè) – This is the most common and standard way to wish someone a Happy New Year in Mandarin Chinese. 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 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 The best Chinese New Year greeting in Cantonese is “sun neen fai lok” (新年快樂), which means Happy New Year. You can also say kung hei fat choi (恭喜發財) which wishes wealth, and “sun tai geen hong” (身體健康) for good health. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 ways to say Happy New Year in Chinese, just in case you need some brushing up. 1. Happy New Year – san nin faai lok (Cantonese) or xīn nián kuài lè The Chinese New Year is an important time to 拜年 (bàinián, to pay a new year call), so it is common practice to visit relatives and exchange auspicious greetings and Chinese gifts, including the ever-popular lucky red envelopes filled with Chinese currency. Devoted Buddhist and Daoist practitioners also often visit local temples to welcome Gong Xi Fa Cai: Pronounced "gong zee fah tsai," gong xi means "congratulations" and is also a way to wish one joy.Fa cai is to become rich or make money.In essence, you are wishing one joy and prosperity in the new year. Like wishing people a good Snake Year, you can wish friends and neighbors a good New Year (新年好 - xīn nián hǎo). Don't forget the 啊 at the end! Roughly translated, it means "Have a good New Year, okay?" 恭喜发财- gōng xǐ fā cái. I can never speak this version of Happy New Year in Chinese without hearing Andy Lau sing it. He is Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the traditional Chinese calendar – and celebrations will last just over two weeks, until the full moon.
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