Simple Ways to Say Happy New Year in Chinese

Celebrating the New Year in Chinese can involve a variety of phrases
Celebrating the New Year in Chinese can involve a variety of phrases

Wishing someone a Happy New Year in Chinese is a great way to connect with them during this festival. There are actually more ways to say Happy New Year in Chinese than a simple phrase like “新年快乐” (Xīn nián kuài lè).

新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) – Basic Happy New Year

This is the most common and widely used phrase to say Happy New Year in Chinese. It directly translates to “New Year Happy” and is suitable for almost any situation.

过年好 (Guònián hǎo) – Casual New Year Greeting

A more casual way to greet people during the Chinese New Year period is 过年好 (Guònián hǎo), which roughly means “Happy New Year’s celebration.” This phrase is commonly used in northern China and for informal conversations.

恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) – Wishing Prosperity

This phrase is often heard alongside firecrackers and lion dances. 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) means “Wishing you prosperity and wealth.” It’s frequently used in business settings or when giving red envelopes (红包 hóngbāo) to wish someone financial success.

See also: How to Say “How Old Are You” in Chinese 

Popular Chinese New Year Wishes by Occasion

Chinese New Year is a time for heartfelt wishes, but knowing what to say in different situations can elevate your greetings. 

Family Gathering Greetings

Lunar New Year in China means family reunions, heart-warming wishes, and traditions
Lunar New Year in China means family reunions, heart-warming wishes, and traditions

When celebrating with family, you might use Chinese New Year wishes to express heartfelt wishes for happiness, unity, and good luck.

  • 新年快乐，万事如意！(Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì!) – Happy New Year! May all things go as you wish!
  • 恭喜发财，年年有余！(Gōngxǐ fācái, niánnián yǒuyú!) – Wishing you prosperity and abundance every year!
  • 身体健康，长命百岁！(Shēntǐ jiànkāng, chángmìng bǎisuì!) – Wishing you good health and a long life!
  • 福如东海，寿比南山！(Fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān!) – May your happiness be as vast as the East Sea and your life as long as the Southern Mountains!
  • 合家欢乐，团团圆圆！(Héjiā huānlè, tuántuán yuányuán!) – Wishing the whole family happiness and togetherness!

Friend and Colleague Wishes

Make sure those dearest to you know how much you cherish their friendship, whether old or new
Make sure those dearest to you know how much you cherish their friendship, whether old or new

For friends and coworkers, friendly and uplifting messages to deliver Happy New Year in Chinese are the best choice.

  • 新年快乐，心想事成！(Xīnnián kuàilè, xīnxiǎng shìchéng!) – Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true!
  • 大吉大利，红包拿来！(Dàjí dàlì, hóngbāo nálái!) – Wishing you great luck and prosperity (now hand over the red envelope!)
  • 好运连连，快乐加倍！(Hǎoyùn liánlián, kuàilè jiābèi!) – May good luck keep coming and happiness double!
  • 事业腾飞，步步高升！(Shìyè téngfēi, bùbù gāoshēng!) – May your career take off and your success rise step by step!
  • 财源滚滚，合作顺利！(Cáiyuán gǔngǔn, hézuò shùnlì!) – Wishing you wealth and smooth collaborations!

Business Partner Greetings

Wishes for a happy new year in Chinese for business partners often focus on success
Wishes for a happy new year in Chinese for business partners often focus on success

If you’re sending greetings to business associates, you can consider Chinese new year greetings to deliver professional and prosperity-focused wishes.

  • 生意兴隆，财源广进！(Shēngyì xīnglóng, cáiyuán guǎngjìn!) – Wishing your business prosperity and abundant wealth!
  • 合作愉快，蒸蒸日上！(Hézuò yúkuài, zhēngzhēng rìshàng!) – May our collaboration be smooth and your business keep rising!
  • 携手共进，合作双赢！(Xiéshǒu gòngjìn, hézuò shuāngyíng!) – Let’s move forward hand in hand for a win-win partnership!
  • 大展宏图，事业有成！(Dàzhǎn hóngtú, shìyè yǒu chéng!) – May your grand vision come true and your business thrive!
  • 财运亨通，鸿运当头！(Cáiyùn hēngtōng, hóngyùn dāngtóu!) – Wishing you financial success and great fortune ahead!

Short and Sweet Wishes for Social Media

The rise of digital communication has also added new forms of wishing others a happy new year in Chinese
The rise of digital communication has also added new forms of wishing others a happy new year in Chinese

When you want to express your Chinese new year wishes through social media platforms like WeChat or Instagram, it’s better to keep it simple and festive when posting.

  • 新年快乐，万事如意！ (Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì!) – Happy New Year! May everything go your way!
  • 心想事成，财运滚滚！ (Xīnxiǎng shìchéng, cáiyùn gǔngǔn!) – May your dreams come true and wealth roll in!
  • 恭喜发财，红包快来！ (Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo kuài lái!) – Wishing you prosperity… and red envelopes ASAP! 
  • 好运连连，年年有余！ (Hǎoyùn liánlián, niánnián yǒuyú!) – Good luck keeps coming, and abundance every year!
  • 红红火火 (Hónghóng huǒhuǒ) – May you have a booming and prosperous year!

Wishes for Health and Happiness

Health and happiness are the most important things to wish for
Health and happiness are the most important things to wish for

As health and happiness are the ultimate blessings, these phrases to express Happy New Year in Chinese are always appreciated.

  • 身体健康，笑口常开！ (Shēntǐ jiànkāng, xiàokǒu cháng kāi!) – Wishing you good health and a heart full of laughter!
  • 龙马精神，平安快乐！ (Lóngmǎ jīngshén, píng’ān kuàilè!) – May you have the energy of a dragon and the peace of a horse!
  • 岁岁平安，幸福美满！ (Suì suì píng’ān, xìngfú měimǎn!) – Wishing you peace year after year and a life filled with happiness!
  • 健健康康，福气满满！ (Jiànkāng kāngkāng, fúqì mǎnmǎn!) – May you be healthy and surrounded by blessings!
  • 无病无忧，吉祥如意！ (Wú bìng wú yōu, jíxiáng rúyì!) – May you have no illness, no worries, and endless good fortune!

Fun and Creative Ways to Say Happy New Year in Chinese

Beyond the traditional greetings, injecting some fun and creativity into your Chinese New Year wishes or even other expressions of congratulations can make them more special. 

Using Poems and Idioms for New Year Greetings

Chinese culture is rich with poetic Chinese new year greetings that make your wishes for a happy new year in Chinese more meaningful:

  • 福如东海，寿比南山 (Fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān) – May your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life as long as the Southern Mountains.
  • 五福临门 (Wǔ fú lín mén) – May the five blessings (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and peaceful death) come to your home.
  • 步步高升 (Bùbù gāoshēng) – May you rise step by step in your career and life.
  • 吉星高照 (Jíxīng gāo zhào) – May lucky stars shine brightly upon you.
  • 万事胜意 (Wànshì shèngyì) – May everything not only go as you wish but exceed your expectations.

To make your New Year greetings in Chinese more interesting and memorable, you can blend phrases of good luck and congratulations.

Incorporating Chinese Calligraphy into Greetings

Incorporating Chinese calligraphy into your Chinese New Year greetings can make them more artistic, meaningful, and culturally rich.

  • Classic Calligraphy on Red Paper (春联 – Chūnlián, Spring Couplets)

You can try write traditional blessings like 福 (Fú) – meaning “Good fortune” – on red paper and display it upside down (福倒了 – Fú dào le) to symbolize fortune arriving.

  • Calligraphy Greeting Cards

Writing idioms or poetic phrases in brushstroke style on a greeting card will definitely ensure a memorable and cherished message for the recipient.

  • Digital Calligraphy for Social Media & Gifts

Creating a digital calligraphy piece with software like Photoshop or Procreate to send as a personalized greeting is also a very creative idea today.

  • Personalized Calligraphy on Red Envelopes (红包 – Hóngbāo)

Handwrite short blessings like 大吉大利 (Dàjí dàlì) – Great fortune and prosperity – on red envelopes will express a more personal touch.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re going traditional with 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) or adding a creative spin with calligraphy or idioms, your warm wishes for a happy new year in Chinese will be well received.

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