周年快乐
zhōunián kuàilè
The English phrase "happy anniversary" is translated into Chinese as 周年快乐 (zhōunián kuàilè).
周年快乐 is a general greeting used for various types of anniversaries, including a wedding anniversary, a company's founding anniversary or a membership anniversary.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 周年 (zhōunián), meaning "anniversary" or "yearly cycle" and 快乐 (kuàilè), meaning "happy".
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify that you are referring to a wedding anniversary, you can add 结婚 (jiéhūn, wedding) before the phrase to say 结婚周年快乐.
How do you pronounce it?
zhōunián kuàilè
Did you know?
- To wish a couple a happy anniversary, people often pair 周年快乐 with the phrase 白头偕老 (báitóu xiélǎo) which means 'to grow old together until the hair turns white'.
- The phrase 周年快乐 is a modern construction influenced by Western greetings. Historically, Chinese culture focused more on 'birthdays' for people and 'founding dates' for institutions without a specific 'happy anniversary' formula.
- The character 周 in 周年 originally referred to a 'circuit' or 'circle'. This reflects an ancient cosmological view of time as a repeating cycle rather than a linear progression.
Examples in context
- 王明和李华，祝你们七周年纪念日快乐！Wang Ming and Li Hua, wishing you a happy 7th anniversary!
- 祝我们的婚礼周年纪念日更甜蜜。Wishing us a sweeter wedding anniversary.
- 结婚周年快乐！jié hūn zhōu nián kuài lè!Happy wedding anniversary!
- 祝你们公司成立周年快乐。zhù nǐ men gōng sī chéng lì zhōu nián kuài lè.Happy anniversary of your company's founding.
- 恋爱周年快乐，亲爱的。liàn ài zhōu nián kuài lè, qīn ài de.Happy dating anniversary, darling.
Example conversation
A couple is celebrating their wedding anniversary at dinner.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，周年快乐！Wěi, zhōunián kuàilè!Wei, happy anniversary!
- 伟 Wei谢谢，梓涵，周年快乐！Xièxie, Zǐhán, zhōunián kuàilè!Thank you, Zihan, happy anniversary!
- 梓涵 Zihan这是给你的礼物。Zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐwù.This is a gift for you.
- 伟 Wei你太有心了，谢谢你。Nǐ tài yǒuxīn le, xièxie nǐ.You are so thoughtful, thank you.
