Phrases for Celebrating Chinese New Year
In the previous lesson, we looked at the Chinese zodiac and its importance to Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival. This week, we’re going to provide some useful phrases for celebrating the New Year.
While we’ve tried to provide a good mix of greetings and well wishes, this list is far from exhaustive. If you find that you need more help with the nuances of Chinese New Year, or any other aspect of the Chinese language, contact the Language Island in Atlanta. Our passionate, experienced Chinese teachers can create a lesson plan tailored to your individual needs.
| Chinese New Year Greetings | ||
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
| 新年好
过年好 新年快乐 |
Xīnnián hǎo
Guònián hǎo Xīnnián kuàilè |
Happy New Year! |
| 恭喜发财 | Gōngxǐ fācái | May you have a prosperous new year! |
| 岁岁平安 | Suì suì píng’ān | May you have peace year after year! |
| 恭贺新禧 | Gōng hè xīn xǐ | Good luck in the year ahead |
| 招财进宝 | Zhāo cái jìn bǎo | Idiom and traditional New Year greeting equivalent to “We wish you wealth and success!” |
| Wishes for the New Year | ||
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
| 吉祥如意 | Jíxiáng rúyì | Good luck, good fortune |
| 年年有余 | Nián nián yǒuyú | (May you) have abundance year after year |
| 心想事成 | Xīn xiǎng shì chéng | May all your wishes come true |
| 大吉大利 | Dàjí dàlì | Idiom meaning “great luck, great profit” |
| 生意兴隆 | Shēngyì xīnglóng | (Wishing you) a thriving and prosperous business |
| 万事如意 | Wànshì rúyì | Idiom equivalent to “best wishes” or “all the best” |
| 和气生财 | Héqì shēngcái | Idiom meaning “harmony brings wealth, peace brings money, etc.” |
| 马到成功 | Mǎdàochénggōng | Idiom meaning “wishing you every success!” |
| 升官发财 | Shēngguān fācái | “To be promoted and gain wealth.” This is an idiom used to wish someone a promotion or a higher position. |
| 祝贺佳节 | Zhùhè jiājié | Idiom equivalent to “season’s greetings” |
| 阖家欢乐
阖家幸福 |
Héjiā huānlè
Héjiā xìngfú |
Wishes of happiness and blessings for the family. |
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