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. 3 Ways to Say "Happy Chinese New Year" in Chinese and Cantonese. 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 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 Here’s all you need to know. How to say Happy Chinese New Year in Chinese and Mandarin. Journalist, blogger, podcaster and author Qin Xie previously explained for Metro: ‘Happy Chinese New Meaning: Happy new year. More about it: “sun nin fai lok” can be said to anyone, at any time during Chinese 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. 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 When it comes to Chinese New Year blessings, the more, the merrier!You can combine some of these; for example, “Happy new year and good health!” (zuk nei sun nin fai lok, sun tai gin hong), “Happy new year and happy family!” (zuk nei sun nin fai lok, hop gah heung fook), and “Happy new year and may you get everything you desire!” (sun nin fai lok, maan si yu yi) are very common 9. 新年快乐, 阖家幸福 – Happy New Year & Happy Family. If you’re visiting or wishing a family happy new year, or you have someone you know who is very family oriented, this greeting sends them wishes for a happy family life. Mandarin: xīn nián kuài lè, hé jiā xìng fú. Cantonese: sun nin fai lok hop gah heung fook Chinese wishes are not limited to a few choices; you have a plethora of options to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese. However, the most common greeting remains “新年好” (Xīnnián hǎo). In this guide, we have provided a selection of greetings for you to practice pronouncing or writing to wish your loved ones a Happy Chinese New Year. 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'). 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! This year, Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, 5 February, and marks the start of the year of the pig.In Hong Kong, the national holiday typically takes place from the first to the third day of the first lunar month, which means that the festivities this year will run from 5 – 7 February. Here are some suggestions to help you wish someone by learning how to say Happy New Year in Cantonese. Let’s dive in! Part 1: How Do You Say Happy New Year in Cantonese: 5 Popular Ways Let’s begin the journey of exploring how do you say Happy New Year in Cantonese! Meaning: Sending you well-being and financial gains. To say “Happy New Year” in Cantonese, the dialect widely spoken in Hong Kong and parts of southern China, you would say “新年快樂” (pronounced as “San Nin Faai Lok”). This is the Cantonese equivalent of the Mandarin “新年快乐” (Xīnnián kuàilè) and carries the same meaning of wishing someone a happy and joyous new year. Don’t Wash Your Hair or Clothes on New Year’s Day. Washing is thought to wash away wealth and blessings. Postpone laundry and hair-washing until after the first day. By following these traditions and avoiding the taboos, you can usher in a year full of prosperity, happiness, and good luck. Wishing you a joyous and auspicious Chinese New To say Happy Chinese New Year in Chinese, Qin Xie also explained: ‘Chinese New Year is also known as chun jie, or spring festival, so you can also wish your friends a happy new year that way. Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is here. The date of this annual event shifts with the lunar calendar, and this year, the Year of the Wood Snake, the 27th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The recent controversy over whether to call the upcoming spring festival “Chinese New Year” or “Lunar New Year” reflects a deeper understanding of contextual communication that the rest of the world might do well to observe. Here are some ways to say happy new year (in Mandarin and Cantonese): 新年快乐 / 新年快樂 Happy New Year in Chinese 'New Year happiness!' In Mandarin: Xīnnián kuàilè /sshin-nyen kwhy-ler/ In Cantonese: San1-nin4 faai3-lok6 /sen-nin feye-lor/ In 2025, Jan. 29 marks the start of the Lunar New Year, also known in China as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, China’s biggest holiday. The world’s largest human migration takes place
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |