50+ Ways to Say "Happy New Year" in Mandarin Chinese: Essential Greetings & Blessings
The Lunar New Year (春节, Chūnjié) is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Chinese culture. It's a time for family reunions, festive feasts, and sharing warm wishes with loved ones, colleagues, and business partners.
Whether you’re sending New Year’s greetings (拜年, bàinián) in person, over text, or in a red envelope (红包, hóngbāo), knowing the right phrases will make your wishes more meaningful.
This guide covers over 50 Chinese New Year greetings and blessings to help you express your best wishes for happiness, health, prosperity, and success!
🧧 Key Vocabulary for Chinese New Year
Before diving into greetings, here are some important words you’ll hear frequently during the Lunar New Year celebrations:
Chinese | Pinyin | English |
---|---|---|
春节 | Chūnjié | Spring Festival / Lunar New Year |
新年 | Xīnnián | New Year |
除夕 | Chúxī | New Year's Eve |
过年 | Guònián | Celebrating the New Year |
拜年 | Bàinián | New Year’s greetings |
红包 | Hóngbāo | Red envelope |
吉祥话 | Jíxiáng huà | Auspicious phrases |
年夜饭 | Niányèfàn | New Year’s Eve dinner |
年货 | Niánhuò | New Year’s goods |
放鞭炮 | Fàng biānpào | Setting off firecrackers |
舞龙 | Wǔ lóng | Dragon dance |
舞狮 | Wǔ shī | Lion dance |
生肖 | Shēngxiào | Chinese zodiac |
财神 | Cáishén | God of Wealth |
团圆 | Tuányuán | Reunion |
🎊 Essential Chinese New Year Greetings & Wishes
1️⃣ Classic New Year Greetings
These phrases can be used in most situations—whether greeting family, friends, or colleagues.
- 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) – Happy New Year!
- 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) – Wishing you prosperity and wealth!
- 万事如意 (Wànshì rúyì) – May all your wishes come true!
- 吉祥如意 (Jíxiáng rúyì) – Wishing you good fortune and happiness!
- 年年有余 (Niánnián yǒuyú) – May you have abundance year after year!
- 步步高升 (Bùbù gāoshēng) – May you rise higher step by step!
- 财源广进 (Cáiyuán guǎngjìn) – May wealth flow in from all directions!
- 心想事成 (Xīnxiǎng shìchéng) – May all your dreams come true!
- 大吉大利 (Dàjí dàlì) – Wishing you great luck and big profits!
- 好事连连 (Hǎoshì liánlián) – May good things happen one after another!
2️⃣ Greetings for Family & Loved Ones
Lunar New Year is all about family reunions, and these warm wishes show love and care for your parents, grandparents, and relatives.
- 阖家欢乐 (Héjiā huānlè) – Wishing your whole family happiness!
- 身体健康 (Shēntǐ jiànkāng) – Wishing you good health!
- 家庭美满 (Jiātíng měimǎn) – May your family be filled with happiness!
- 岁岁平安 (Suìsuì píng'ān) – Wishing you peace and safety every year!
- 福寿安康 (Fúshòu ānkāng) – Wishing you good fortune, longevity, and health!
-
愿你们幸福美满,长长久久!
(Yuàn nǐmen xìngfú měimǎn, chángcháng jiǔjiǔ!)
– Wishing you everlasting happiness! -
祝爸爸妈妈健康长寿,天天开心!
(Zhù bàba māmā jiànkāng chángshòu, tiāntiān kāixīn!)
– Wishing Mom and Dad a long and happy life! -
愿爷爷奶奶福如东海,寿比南山!
(Yuàn yéyé nǎinai fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān!)
– May Grandpa and Grandma be blessed with boundless happiness and longevity!
3️⃣ Wishes for Friends
Celebrate friendships and wish your friends a joyful and successful year ahead!
- 愿友谊长存! (Yuàn yǒuyì chángcún!) – May our friendship last forever!
- 新年好运连连! (Xīnnián hǎoyùn liánlián!) – May good luck be with you all year long!
- 愿你天天开心,笑口常开! (Yuàn nǐ tiāntiān kāixīn, xiàokǒu chángkāi!) – May you always be happy and smiling!
- 祝你梦想成真! (Zhù nǐ mèngxiǎng chéngzhēn!) – May all your dreams come true!
4️⃣ New Year Wishes for Colleagues & Business Partners
- 事业蒸蒸日上! (Shìyè zhēngzhēng rìshàng!) – May your career/business flourish!
- 合作共赢,财源广进! (Hézuò gòngyíng, cáiyuán guǎngjìn!) – May our cooperation bring mutual success and wealth!
- 祝公司基业长青,生意兴隆! (Zhù gōngsī jīyè chángqīng, shēngyì xīnglóng!) – Wishing your company long-lasting success and booming business!
-
愿新的一年带来更多机遇和成功!
(Yuàn xīn de yī nián dàilái gèng duō jīyù hé chénggōng!)
– May the new year bring more opportunities and success!
🎇 Fun Zodiac-Themed Blessings
Each Chinese New Year is associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac (Shēngxiào, 生肖). If you want to personalize your wishes, try these greetings based on the zodiac sign of the year!
🐲 Year of the Dragon Example (2024):
- 龙年大吉! (Lóng nián dàjí!) – Wishing you great luck in the Year of the Dragon!
- 龙腾四海,鸿运当头! (Lóng téng sìhǎi, hóngyùn dāngtóu!) – May the dragon soar across the seas, bringing great fortune to you!
✨ Final Thoughts: Spread Joy with New Year Wishes!
Chinese New Year is a time for joy, family reunions, and spreading positivity. No matter where you are, taking a moment to send heartfelt greetings can brighten someone’s day and strengthen relationships.
新年快乐,万事如意! 🎉 (Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì!)
🎊 May your new year be filled with happiness and success! 🎊
Share:
Chinese Dining Etiquette: Traditions, Customs, and Cultural Insights