How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year is the most important celebration of the year for those who follow the lunar calendar. It’s a time for families and friends to gather together to feast on foods with symbolic meanings and to exchange gifts and good wishes for the year to come. If you’re looking for the perfect wish to write in a Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year card, we’re here to help.

How People Celebrate Lunar New Year

While Lunar New Year is celebrated in many different countries, Chinese New Year celebrations specifically incorporate lots of Chinese cultural elements. It’s increasingly common for Chinese New Year to simply be referred to as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. One of the most well-known components of this celebration is the 12-year cycle of the Chinese animal zodiac.

The festivities last for about two weeks and include joyful family gatherings with foods like noodles (to signify a long life) and dumplings (to signify wealth). Fireworks and firecrackers are burned to ward off evil spirits, red is worn as a symbol of luck and dragon and lion dances are performed—they’re believed to bring good luck and good fortune. Red envelopes (lai see in Cantonese or hong bao in Mandarin) containing money are also commonly given to children and young unmarried adults and symbolize good wishes and luck for the year ahead.

Whether you’re taking part in this annual tradition or you just want to send a note to someone who does, here are a few ideas for what to write.

Helpful tip: Can you send a Lunar New Year card even if you don’t celebrate it yourself? Absolutely! Acknowledging important traditions for friends or colleagues is a wonderful way to show care, kindness and acceptance.

Traditional Greetings and Sayings  

Most Lunar New Year cards include a simple wish. If you have nothing more to add, that’s fine. Just writing a warm closing and your name is sufficient.

If you would like to add a traditional wish, the most common Chinese New Year greeting in Cantonese is “gong hei fat choy” and translates to “wishing you great happiness and prosperity.” In Mandarin, the same greeting is “gong xi fa cai.”

Simply saying “Happy New Year” in Mandarin is “xin nian kuai le” and “san nin fai lok” in Cantonese.

Wishes for Family and Friends  

Not surprisingly, wishes for happiness, health and peace are always appropriate to send to friends and family at this time of year.

Whether your greeting is said in person while presenting a thoughtful gift basket or mailed in a card, here are some ideas of what to say:

  • “Wishing you lots of luck and happiness in the year ahead.”
  • “May this new year bring you good health and good fortune.”
  • “Happy New Year! You make our family so proud, and we wish you nothing but continued success and happiness.”
  • “Hope this new year brings you good fortune, peace and prosperity.”
  • “Thinking of you and your family and wishing you all a year that outshines the rest.”
  • “It’s that time of year for feasting, celebrating and looking forward to a happy and prosperous year ahead. Enjoy every moment!”
  • “Health, wealth and endless joy is what I wish for you and your family this year.”

Helpful tip: While Lunar New Year wishes do tend to sound a bit formal, it’s perfectly okay to infuse your own personality and voice into the message you create.

Wishes for Business Associates and Colleagues  

While it can sometimes be considered impolite to talk about money and wealth in western culture, it’s perfectly appropriate—if not expected—to offer money-related greetings in Lunar New Year cards. This is especially true if the card is for colleagues, managers or clients. You might say something like this:

  • “Hope this new year brings you much happiness and success in your career.”
  • “May this year bring you good fortune and great wealth.”
  • “May your business flourish and bring you lots of joy in the new year.”
  • “Wishing you a year of abundance and prosperity.”
  • “Hope you achieve great success in everything you do this year and always.”

We hope these ideas help you celebrate with friends, family and colleagues this Lunar New Year.

  • Tags:
  • Greeting Card Messages and Ideas

Chinese people greet one another with lucky sayings and phrases to wish each other health, wealth, and good fortune when they meet during the Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) period.

Here are the most popular Chinese New Year greetings, wishes, messages, and quotes in Mandarin and Cantonese which will enable you to share joy and love during the festive period.

Content Preview

  • 3 Popular Chinese New Year Greetings
  • New Year Wishes for the Tiger Year 2022
  • New Year Wishes for Friends and Family
  • New Year Wishes for Business Clients
  • New Year Wishes for Colleagues and Bosses
  • New Year Wishes for Kids and Students
  • Popular New Year Wishes for Anyone and for Any Occasion
  • Chinese New Year Wishes Sentences
  • Funny Chinese New Year Wishes

In Mandarin, the most common Chinese New Year greeting is Xīnnián hǎo (新年好), which directly translates as 'New Year Goodness'. A more formal greeting is  Xīn nián kuài lè, literally meaning 'New Year happiness'.

In Cantonese, the most common greeting is Gong hei fat choy(恭喜发财), which means 'Best wishes, wishing you happiness and prosperity.'

1. 新年好 — Happy Chinese New Year (popular way)

"Xīnnián hǎo" is usually the first thing that's said when Chinese people greet one another during Chinese New Year. It replaces the normal greeting "nǐ hǎo".

  • In Mandarin: xīn nián hǎo /sshin-nyen haoww/
  • In Cantonese: san nin hou

2. 新年快乐 — Happy Chinese New Year (formal way)

"Xīnnián kuàilè" is a somewhat more formal way to greet people during Chinese New Year. It also can be used during the regular January 1st New Year. 

  • In Mandarin: xīn nián kuài lè /sshin-nyen kwhy-ler/
  • In Cantonese: sun nin fai lok

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

3. 恭喜发财 — Happiness and prosperity

"Gong hay fat choy" is usually spoken in Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and the places nearby, and nowadays you can hear this phrase in many Chinatowns.

  • In Mandarin: gōng xǐ fā cái /gong-sshee faa-tseye/
  • In Cantonese: gong hay fat choy

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

Chinese New Year Greetings and Wishes for the Tiger Year 2022

As 2022 will be a year of the Tiger, it will be popular to greet people with new year lucky phrases including hu (tiger). Here are the most popular greetings for the year of the Tiger. 

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

1. 虎年大吉 — Wishing you luck in the year of the Tiger!

  • In Mandarin: hǔ nián dà jí /hoo-nyen daa-jee/
  • In Cantonese: fu nin dai gat

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

2. 虎虎生威 — Wishing you fullness of the vigor and vitality of the tiger.

  • In Mandarin: Hǔ hǔ shēng wēi /hoo-hoo shnng-way/
  • In Cantonese: fu fu sang wai

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

3. 龙腾虎跃 — 'Dragon soaring and Tiger leaping' (Wish you prosperous and thriving in new year)

  • In Mandarin: lóng téng hǔ yuè /long tnng hoo yhwere/
  • In Cantonese: lung tang fu joek

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

4. 如虎添翼 — Wishing you're like a tiger with wings (i.e. doubly strong)!

  • In Mandarin: rú hǔ tiān yì /roo hoo tyen ee/
  • In Cantonese: jyu fu tim jik

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

5. 虎年兴旺 — Wishing you a prosperous year of the Tiger!

  • In Mandarin: hǔ nián xīng wàng /hoo nyen sshing wung/
  • In Cantonese: fu nin hing wong

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

6. 生龙活虎 — Wishing you the drive of the Dragon and the vigor of the Tiger!

  • In Mandarin: shēng lóng huó hǔ /shnng long hwor hoo/
  • In Cantonese: sang lung wut fu

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

7. 虎运连年  Wishing you the luck of the Tiger year after year!

  • In Mandarin: hǔ yùn lián nián /hoo ywnn lyen nyen/
  • In Cantonese: fu wan lin nin 

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

Chinese New Year Wishes for Friends and Family

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

1. 平平安安 — Peace and safety!

  • In Mandarin: píng píng ān ān /ping ping an an/
  • In Cantonese: ping ping ngon ngon

2. 幸福安康 — Peace and happiness!

  • In Mandarin: xìng fú ān kāng /sshing-foo an-kung/
  • In Cantonese: hang fuk ngon hong

3. 阖家欢乐 — Happiness for the whole family!

  • In Mandarin: hé jiā huān lè /cher-jyaa hwan-ler/
  • In Cantonese: hap gu fun lok

4. 吉祥如意 — Good luck and life according to your wishes!

  • In Mandarin: jí xiáng rú yì /jee-sshyang roo-ee/
  • In Cantonese: gat coeng jyu ji

5. 好运连连 — Good luck again and again!

  • In Mandarin: hǎo yùn lián lián /hao-ywnn lyen-lyen/
  • In Cantonese: hou wan lin lin

Chinese New Year Wishes for Business Clients

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

1. 生意兴隆 — Prosperous business!

  • In Mandarin: shēng yì xīng lóng /shnng-ee sshing-long/
  • In Cantonese: sang ji hing lung

2. 恭喜发财 — Happiness and prosperity!

  • In Mandarin: gōng xǐ fā cái /gong- sshee faa-tseye /
  • In Cantonese: gong hay fat choy  

3. 财源广进 — Wealth's sources broadly entering in!

  • In Mandarin: cái yuán guǎng jìn /tseye-ywen gwung-jin/
  • In Cantonese: choy jyun gwong zeon

4. 蒸蒸日上 — May your business grow and expand with each day!

  • In Mandarin: zhēng zhēng rì shàng
  • In Cantonese: zing zing jat soeng

5. 大展宏图 — Realize one's ambition

  • In Mandarin: dà zhǎn hóng tú /daa-jan hong-too/
  • In Cantonese: taai zin wang tou

Chinese New Year Wishes for Colleagues and Bosses

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

1. 工作顺利 — May your work go smoothly!

  • In Mandarin: gōng zuò shùn lì /gong-dzwor shwnn-lee/
  • In Cantonese: gung zok seon lei

2. 事业有成 — Success in your career!

  • In Mandarin: shì yè yǒu chéng /shrr-yeah yoh-chnng/
  • In Cantonese: si jip jau sing

3. 平步青云 — Have a meteoric rise (usually to wish for promotions)!

  • In Mandarin: píng bù qīng yún /ping-boo ching-ywnn/
  • In Cantonese: ping bou cing wan

4. 马到成功 — Success immediately upon arrival!

  • In Mandarin: mǎ dào chéng gōng /maa-dao chnng-gong/
  • In Cantonese: maa dou sing gung

5. 步步高升 — Promotions at every step!

  • In Mandarin: bù bù gāo shēng /boo-boo gao-shnng/
  • In Cantonese: bou bou gou sing

6. 升官发财 — Win a promotion and get rich!

  • In Mandarin: shēng guān fā cái /shnng-gwan faa-tseye/
  • In Cantonese: sing gun fat choy

Recommended Articles

Chinese New Year Wishes for Kids and Students

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

1. 学业有成 — Achieve academic success!

  • In Mandarin: xué yè yǒu chéng /sshwair-yeah yoh-chnng/
  • In Cantonese: hok jip jau sing

2. 学习进步 — Progress in studies!

  • In Mandarin: xué xí jìn bù /sshwair-sshee jin-boo/
  • In Cantonese: hok zaap zeon bou

3. 金榜题名 — Success in the examination!

It is usually used for those taking an important examination, including students — literally ‘to sign one's name on the role of honor'.

  • In Mandarin: jīn bǎng tí míng /jin-bung tee-ming/
  • In Cantonese: gam bong tai ming

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

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'). That's why orange is one of the most popular Chinese New Year foods. 

  • In Mandarin: dà jí dà lì /daa-jee daa-lee /
  • In Cantonese: dai gut dai lei 

2.  心想事成 — May all your wishes come true!

People with a dream or wishes they want to come true would love to be greeted with this greeting.

  • In Mandarin: xīn xiǎng shì chéng /sshing-sshyang shrr-chnng/
  • In Cantonese: sum seung si sing

3. 万事如意 — May all go well with you!

It directly translates as ' 10,000 things go according to your wishes.'

  • In Mandarin: wàn shì rú yì /wann-shrr roo-ee/
  • In Cantonese: mahn si yuh yi

4. 身体健康 — Wishing you good health!

It can be said to all people, especially the elder people. 

  • In Mandarin: shēn tǐ jiàn kāng /shnn-tee jyen-kung/
  • In Cantonese: sun tai gin hong

5. 年年有余 — Surplus year-after-year!

The pronunciation of 余 (yú, meaning 'abundance') is the same as the pronunciation of 鱼 (meaning 'fish'). Usually, people prepare two fish for Chinese New Year's Eve dinner, one for dinner and one for the next day (surplus for the new year!).

  • In Mandarin: nián nián yǒu yú /nyen-nyen yoh-yoo/
  • In Cantonese: nin nin yau yu

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

In a formal way, such as proposing a toast or writing a Chinese New Year card, you can add some beginning words before your Chinese New Year greetings, and combine one or two or more Chinese New Year wishes in a sentence.

Greeting an older (or respected) person is a little different in Chinese: nín for 'you', instead of the common nǐ. For example:

祝您……

Meaning: Wish you... (to an older/respected person) ...

  • In Mandarin: Zhu nín... (/joo neen/)
  • In Cantonese: zuk nei

祝你……

Meaning: Wish you (to a younger person or informally) ...

  • In Mandarin: Zhu nǐ ... (/joo nee/)
  • In Cantonese: zuk nei

1. 祝您新年快乐,身体健康!

Meaning: Wishing you a happy Chinese New Year and good health!

  • In Mandarin: Zhù nín xīn nián kuài lè, shēn tǐ jiàn kāng!
  • In Cantonese: Zuk nei san nin faai lok, sun tai gin hong!

2. 祝你新春快乐,阖家幸福!

Meaning: Wishing you a happy Chinese New Year, a happy family!

  • In Mandarin: Zhù nǐ xīn chūn kuài lè, hé jiā xìng fú!
  • In Cantonese: Zuk nei san ceon faai lok, hap gu hang fuk!

3. 祝你新年快乐,大吉大利,万事如意!

Meaning: Wishing you a happy new year, good luck, and all the best!

  • In Mandarin: Zhù nǐ xīn nián kuài lè, dà jí dà lì, wàn shì rú yì!
  • In Cantonese: Zuk nei san nin faai lok, dai gut dai lei, mak si jyu ji!

How do you wish someone a happy Lunar New Year?

4. 祝你心想事成,财源广进,事业兴旺!

Meaning: May all your wishes come true, money and treasures flow in, and your career flourish!

  • In Mandarin: Zhù nǐ xīn xiǎng shì chéng, cái yuán guǎng jìn, shì yè xīng wàng! 
  • In Cantonese: Zuk nei sam soeng si sing, coi jyun, gwong, zeon, si jip hing wong!

5. 祝你新年快乐,身体健康,家庭幸福,工作顺利!

Meaning: Wishing you a happy new year, good health, a happy family, and smooth work!

  • In Mandarin: Zhù nǐ xīn nián kuài lè, shēn tǐ jiàn kāng, jiā tíng xìng fú, gōng zuò shùn lì!
  • In Cantonese: Zuk nei san nin faai lok, gyun ban gin hong, gu ting hang fuk, gung zok seon lei!

Funny Chinese New Year Wishes

1. 恭喜发财,红包拿来

Meaning: Wishing you happiness and prosperity; give me a red envelope.

Use this to greet someone if you're expecting lucky money. Only say this to close friends and relations. Don't say it to strangers or in a formal setting, to avoid looking presumptuous or ridiculous.

  • In Mandarin: Gōng xǐ fā cái, hóng bāo ná lái
  • In Cantonese: gong hay fat choy, hung baau naa loi

2.  一帆风顺、二龙腾飞、三羊开泰、四季平安、五福临门、六六大顺、七星高照、八方来财、九九同心、十全十美、百事亨通、千事吉祥、万事如意!

Meaning: I wish you all the best, all things prosperous, and all things auspicious!

Literally: ‘Wishing you one smooth voyage, two dragons soaring, three goats bringing peace, four seasons of safety, five blessings at your door, six-six (‘flowing') great favor, seven stars shining down from on high, eight directions yielding wealth, nine-nine (‘long-lasting') harmony, ten (out of ten) for excellence, 100 (all) things to your liking, 1,000 (all) things lucky, 10,000 (all) things your way.'

  • In Mandarin: Yī fān fēng shùn, èr long téng fēi, sān yáng kāi tài, sì jì píng ān, wǔ fú lín mén, liù liù dà shùn, qī xīng gāo zhào, bā fāng lái cái, jiǔ jiǔ tóng xīn, shí quán shí měi, bǎi shì hēng tōng, qiān shì jí xiáng, wàn shì rú yì!
  • In Cantonese: jat faan fung seon, ji lung tang fei, saam joeng hoi taai, si gwai ping ngon, ng fuk lam mun, luk luk taai seon, cat sing gou ziu, baat fong loi coi, gau gau tung sam, sap cyun sap mei, mak si hoeng tung, cin si gat coeng, mak si jyu ji.

Chinese New Year Quotes

In China, there are dozens of beautiful Chinese New Year quotes that people may use to send as cards or messages, or to say out during a toast in the Chinese New Year reunion dinner. 

1. "Wish New Year happiness all year four seasons always there."
新年的快乐一年四季常在。.
Yuàn xīnnián de kuàilè yīniánsìjì cháng zài.
May the joy of New Year be with you throughout the year.

2. "Wish you all of New Year dreams all become real."
愿你所有的新年梦想都成真。
Yuàn nǐ suǒyǒu de xīnnián mèngxiǎng dōu chéngzhēn.
Hoping all your New Year dreams come true.

3. "Four seasons at peace pass prosperous year."
四季平安过旺年。
Sì jì píng'ān guò wàng nián.
Wishing you four seasons of peace and a flourishing year.

4. "Respectfully congratulate new joy, wish body fit, career thriving."
恭贺新禧,祝身体健康、事业发达。
Gōnghè xīnxǐ, zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng, shìyè fādá.
Happy New Year, wishing you good health and success.

5. "Five grains abundant harvest, big wealth big honor, luck as you wish, wind harmonious rain favorable."
五谷丰收, 大富大贵。 吉祥如意, 风调雨顺。
Wǔgǔ fēngshōu, dàfù dàguì, jíxiáng rúyì, fēnɡ diào yǔ shùn.
Successful harvest of the grain, with great prosperity and earnings. Good fortune as desired, with timely wind and rain. (*A common wish for farmers)

You Might Also Like

  • How to Say Happy New Year In Chinese 2022: Mandarin and Cantonese
  • Chinese New Year Taboos and Superstitions: 18 Things You Should Not Do        
  •  Best Chinese New Year Gift Ideas of 2022 for Friends, Parents, Kids

How do you wish someone on Lunar New Year?

Chinese New Year Wishes and Lunar New Year Greetings.
Happy Chinese New Year!.
Gong xi fa cai!.
Wishing you luck, love, and health this Chinese New Year..
May the Chinese New Year bring you abundance..
May all your wishes come true this Chinese New Year..
Xin nian hao! ... .
May good fortune be abundant this Chinese New Year..

Do you say happy Lunar New Year or Happy Chinese?

Either way, whether you refer to it as the Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, Spring Festival, or any other name, in the end it is the context that matters, and as long as no intentional offense is meant, it is safe to say that almost everyone will just be happy to share and celebrate the festive occasion all around the ...

How do you wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year 2022?

Below are the most popular lucky phrases to say on Chinese New Year 2022, the year of the Tiger:.
Happy Chinese New Year. ... .
Happy Spring Festival. ... .
Happy the Year of the Tiger. ... .
Wishing You the Fullness of the Vigor and Vitality of the Tiger. ... .
Wishing You Happiness and Prosperity. ... .
Wish You Good Luck. ... .
May All Your Wishes Come True..

What do you write for Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year Greetings for Happiness, Health & Peace 恭贺新禧 (gōng hè xīn xǐ) – Good luck in the year ahead. 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) – May all your wishes come true. 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) – May everything go well for you. 笑口常开 (xiào kǒu cháng kāi) – May your year be filled with abundance of smiles and laughter.