Think you are being culturally sensitive when you wish people “Happy Lunar New Year” instead of “Happy Chinese New Year”? Think again. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news Think you are being culturally sensitive when you wish people “Happy Lunar New Year” instead of “Happy Chinese New Year”? Think again. A week before Jan 29, which is when Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese people usher in the Year of the Snake, Chagee, a Chinese bubble tea brand popular both in and outside China, found itself in hot water This year, the Chinese New Year 2023, will fall on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 and end on February 5th, 2023. The Chinese New Year is celebrated for 16 days. Wait, can I still say Chinese New Year, or should I say Lunar New Year, Spring Festival, or something else? With the intention of being inclusive, what should this Holiday be called? Lunar New Year greetings can be fun but stressful. Here’s a guide. Happy Lunar New Year! If you want to greet your relatives or impress your friends, here are some popular Mandarin and Cantonese More authentic Chinese New Year greetings include: "过年好!" (Guònián hǎo!) - Happy New Year! "给你拜年啦!" (Gěi nǐ bàinián la!) - I'm here to wish you a Happy New Year! "虎年大吉!" (Hǔ nián dàjí!) - Good luck in the Year of the Tiger! (As the coming Chinese new year is the year of the Tiger) "新年快乐 Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and giving. More likely than not, you’ll be giving out some gifts here and there. But even with gifts, there’s some etiquette you need to take note of, especially during the Lunar New Year. Always keep in mind that colour has large significance in the Chinese culture. The Chinese word for “book” (shū) sounds exactly the same as the word for “lose” – so buying a book right after ringing in the New Year is considered an invitation for bad luck. Is it OK to say Happy Chinese New Year? In Mandarin, “Happy Chinese New Year” is “xin nian kuai le” (pronounced shin nee-an kwai le), which is a formal greeting typically used for strangers and means “New Year happiness.” A shortened version is “xin nian hao” (pronounced shin nee-an how) is more often used for friends and family. 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 Chinese New Year is one of the most awaited for the Chinese community in the world. It is customary for Chinese people to celebrate this event and enjoy its evening/dinner time. If you have anyone in your surroundings who belongs to this community, you should wish them Happy Chinese New Year’s Eve. Is it OK to say 'Happy New Year' (in English), or some other English phrase, at some point after the Chinese New Year (which I believe is 23rd January this year) ? Is saying it before the date OK ? I feel like saying this in, eg, Cantonese would be better but then they may be, eg, Mandarin speakers ? This year, Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29. Those who celebrate will be entering the year of the snake. Just like with any holiday, traditions abound for Chinese New Year. Some of The Basics of Chinese New Year Greetings. When it comes to Chinese New Year, the greeting you’ll hear most often is “新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè),” which directly translates to “Happy New Year.” It’s a warm, universally understood phrase used across China and beyond. However, the beauty of Chinese language lies in its diversity. The Year of the Snake in 2025 brings a time for new beginnings, family reunions, and well wishes. Celebrating the Lunar New Year is marked by reflecting on the past and looking forward to a future For years, many people—especially in non-Chinese-speaking countries—have assumed that “ Kung Hei Fat Choi ” directly translates to “Happy New Year.” However, the phrase actually means “Wishing you prosperity and wealth.” While this is an auspicious and widely-used greeting during Chinese New Year, it does not express the general The Chinese New Year is a wonderful time for family reunions, new beginnings, renewed romance, and the potential for a happy year ahead. It’s an opportunity to extend your wishes to friends, family, lovers, colleagues, clients, or business partners during this widely celebrated lunar New Year holiday. In Japanese, it is said with the phrase "Akemashite omedetō," which is an expression of happiness and celebration in the new year. In Vietnamese, the greeting Chúc Mừng Năm Mới is used to welcome the new year and express good wishes. In Cantonese, it is said with the phrase "San nin faa lok," which means to wish someone a Happy New Year. 40+ popular Chinese New Year greetings, sayings, and quotes to send your Chinese New Year wishes, such as Happy New Year with English, Mandarin, and Cantonese (with audio and cards updated for 2025). If you look up the Wikipedia page for Lunar New Year and compare it to the page for Chinese New Year, the page for Chinese New Year is at least five times longer, despite being the less general event. But generalizing Lunar New Year as Chinese New Year is more than just saying the wrong word and using the wrong name. Chinese Greetings: The Chinese language is very challenging to learn, and Chinese people appreciate people from other parts of the world addressing them in Chinese. A short greeting video from a company’s CEO or spokesperson in Chinese would be well-received. Tone and Voice: Keep consistent voices on all your social channels. Though there is
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