Chinese New Year Wishes & Greetings: Celebrate with Joy and Prosperity

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, stands as one of the most significant celebrations in Chinese culture. Marking the turn of the traditional lunar calendar, it is a time for renewal, reunion, and expressing heartfelt wishes to friends, family, and colleagues. Sharing well-chosen greetings and wishes is a treasured custom—bringing luck, prosperity, and happiness for the coming year.

This guide covers a wide range of Chinese New Year greetings, their meanings and pronunciations in both Mandarin and Cantonese, etiquette for giving these wishes, and creative ways to share festive messages in person or across distances.

Why Do We Share Chinese New Year Greetings?

Chinese New Year wishes are much more than simple pleasantries. They reflect hopes for success, wellbeing, happiness, longevity, and good fortune in the year ahead. These greetings are shared in person, written on red envelopes (hongbao), cards, or exchanged via digital messages. Traditionally, the exchange of auspicious words is believed to invite blessings and drive away misfortune.

Common Chinese New Year Greetings

Below are some of the most common and widely used Chinese New Year wishes, along with their meanings and pronunciations. Choose a greeting based on whom you are addressing and the kind of wishes you want to convey.

• 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) — Happy New Year (Mandarin)
  新年快樂 (San1 Nin4 Fai3 Lok6) — (Cantonese)
• 恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái) — Wishing you happiness and prosperity (Mandarin)
  恭喜發財 (Gung1 Hei2 Fat3 Choi4) — (Cantonese)
• 万事如意 (Wàn shì rú yì) — May everything go as you wish (Mandarin)
  萬事如意 (Maan6 Si6 Jyu4 Ji3) — (Cantonese)
• 大吉大利 (Dà jí dà lì) — Good luck and great prosperity (Mandarin)
  大吉大利 (Daai6 Gat1 Daai6 Lei6) — (Cantonese)
• 身体健康 (Shēn tǐ jiàn kāng) — Wishing you good health (Mandarin)
  身體健康 (San1 Tai2 Gin6 Hong1) — (Cantonese)
• 岁岁平安 (Suì suì píng’ān) — May you have peace year after year (Mandarin)
• 合家幸福 (Hé jiā xìng fú) — Wishing your family happiness
• 步步高升 (Bù bù gāo shēng) — May you have every success and rise higher every step

Chinese New Year Greetings: Table of Phrases and Pronunciations

Different Types of Chinese New Year Greetings

Chinese New Year greetings can be formal, casual, or tailored for specific wishes. Here’s how they are often categorized and used:

• General well-wishes: For friends, acquaintances, and anyone you meet—such as 新年快乐 or 恭喜发财.
• Family-focused wishes: 祝你合家幸福 (Wishing your family happiness), 岁岁平安 (Year after year safe and well).
• Wishes for health and success: 身体健康 (Good health), 工作顺利 (Smooth work), 事业发达 (Thriving career).
• Auspicious phrases: 大吉大利 (Great luck and prosperity), 万事如意 (Everything as you wish), 五福临门 (May the five blessings come to your door).
• Tailored/joking wishes: For children—学业进步 (Progress in studies); for the elderly—健康长寿 (Healthy and long life).

Traditional Body Language and Etiquette for Chinese New Year Greetings

Delivering a New Year greeting is not only about words; proper manners amplify respect and goodwill. Here’s how to do it right:

• Bowing: Show respect, especially to elders. A gentle bow communicates honor and sincerity.
• Fist-and-palm salute: Hold one fist in the open palm of your other hand in front of your chest. This traditional gesture symbolizes respect and celebration.
• Handshakes: Increasingly common in business or among young people, but a gentle grip and smile are essential.
• Smile warmly: A genuine smile reinforces the joyous spirit of the holiday.
• Avoid hugging: Hugging is rare in traditional contexts; stick to respectful gestures unless among close younger friends.

How to Personalize a Chinese New Year Greeting

A truly meaningful wish often reflects the recipient’s circumstances. Consider these personalization tips:

• Add the person’s name or title before your wish for a respectful touch.
• Reference specific hopes: For children, wish for academic success; for business partners, hope for prosperity and smooth deals.
• Pair with a small gift or red envelope (hongbao): Especially appropriate for children or employees, often presented with two hands as a sign of respect.
• Include a short message on a card: Write your well-wishes in a festive card or as a note with flowers or fruit baskets.
• Seasonal decorations: Attach greetings to doors or windows with red paper banners (春联, chūnlián), broadcasting wishes for prosperity and good luck.

Popular Chinese New Year Quotes and Blessings

For those seeking inspiration beyond classic phrases, here are some beloved Chinese New Year quotes often used in toasts, cards, and banners:

• 新年的快乐一年四季常在。
  May the joy of New Year be present throughout all four seasons.
• 愿你所有的新年梦想都成真。
  May all your New Year dreams come true.
• 四季平安过旺年。
  Wishing you four seasons of peace and a flourishing year.
• 恭贺新禧，祝身体健康、事业发达。
  With New Year’s greetings, wishing you good health and a thriving career.
• 五谷丰收，大富大贵。 吉祥如意，风调雨顺。
  May you enjoy abundant harvest and wealth, good fortune as you wish, and favorable weather.

Mandarin vs. Cantonese: How to Say Chinese New Year Wishes

Mandarin and Cantonese are the most widely spoken Chinese languages. Here are some important distinctions in how to wish Happy New Year:

• Mandarin: 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) – Happy New Year
• Cantonese: 新年快樂 (San1 Nin4 Fai3 Lok6) – Happy New Year
• Mandarin: 恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái)
• Cantonese: 恭喜發財 (Gung1 Hei2 Fat3 Choi4)
• For formal settings, add 祝 or 恭贺 before your wish (e.g., 祝您新年快乐, meaning “Wish you a Happy New Year”).

Digital and Written Chinese New Year Greetings

Modern celebrations can span continents. From traditional red envelopes to stylish e-cards and instant messages, there are many ways to share your greetings:

• Red envelope (红包 hóngbāo or 利是 lai see): Contains lucky money with wishes written on the envelope itself.
• Festive WeChat or WhatsApp messages: Send quick greetings or custom stickers using Mandarin or Cantonese phrases.
• Greeting cards: Handwritten or digital cards featuring festive designs, poetic phrases, or personalized notes.
• Decorative couplets: Write wishes on red banners for doors and windows to attract good fortune and ward off evil spirits.

Examples of Short and Sweet Chinese New Year Wishes in English

• Wishing you happiness, prosperity, and good health in the New Year!
• May your family be blessed with peace and abundance.
• Hope the coming year brings you success and laughter.
• Wishing you joy, luck, and all your dreams coming true!
• May the new year be filled with bright moments and rich blessings.

Creative Ways to Share Chinese New Year Greetings

• Include a greeting in a homemade dumpling or red envelope for family gatherings.
• Add personalized messages to flower arrangements or gift baskets.
• Organize a group video call and share greetings using both Mandarin and Cantonese.
• Design your own festive cards using calligraphy or printable templates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Chinese New Year Wishes

Q: Is it better to use Mandarin or Cantonese for Chinese New Year wishes?

A: Use the language that aligns with the recipient’s background. Mandarin is widely accepted across China and for most formal cases, while Cantonese is common in Hong Kong, Macau, and among Cantonese-speaking families.

Q: What’s the best greeting to use in any setting?

A: “新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè)” and “恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái)” are universal, simple, and appropriate for most settings.

Q: Are gifts necessary when sharing Chinese New Year wishes?

A: While gifts aren’t mandatory, accompanying greetings with a small present or red envelope is customary, particularly for children, elders, or employees.

Q: Can I wish someone ‘Happy Spring Festival’ instead?

A: Yes—春节快乐 (Chūnjié kuàilè) is suitable during the festival, especially in Mainland China.

Q: Is there a way to make my greeting more formal?

A: Prefix your message with 祝您 (Zhù nín) for extra politeness, or mention the person’s surname and appropriate title, e.g., 祝李先生新年快乐 (“Mr. Li, I wish you a happy new year”).

Conclusion: Wishing You a Joyful and Prosperous Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year is a vibrant celebration of hope, joy, and good fortune. Whether delivered in Mandarin, Cantonese, through a simple card, or a heartfelt bow, sincere greetings are the heart of the holiday. Take inspiration from traditional phrases, personalize your messages, and share the spirit of renewal and brightness with everyone you meet. 新年快乐!

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.

Author

Medha DebCommerce Editor

 

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

Read full bio of Medha Deb