新年快樂
sin-nî khoài-lo̍k
The English phrase "happy chinese new year" is translated into Hokkien as 新年快樂 (sin-nî khoài-lo̍k).
This phrase is a greeting used to wish someone joy and prosperity during the Lunar New Year.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 新年 (sin-nî), meaning 'new year' and 快樂 (khoài-lo̍k), meaning 'happy'.
How do you pronounce it?
sin-nî khoài-lo̍k
Did you know?
- While 新年快樂 is grammatically correct, many people during the festival prefer the more rhythmic, four-character idiom 恭喜發財 (kiong-hí hoat-châi) which focuses on wealth.
- In Hokkien culture, the phrase 新年快樂 is often accompanied by the giving of 'red envelopes' known as 紅包, which must be red to symbolize luck and ward off evil spirits.
- During the Lunar New Year, saying 新年快樂 is often paired with the custom of avoiding any words related to 'death' or 'loss' to prevent bad luck for the coming year.
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street during the Lunar New Year.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun家豪，新年快樂！Ka-hâu, sinn-nî kòat-lo̍k!Jia-hao, happy New Year!
- 家豪 Ka-hao曉雯，妳也新年快樂！Hió-bûn, lí iā sinn-nî kòat-lo̍k!Xiao-wen, happy New Year to you too!
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun你拿到了很多紅包嗎？Lí ná-tio̍h liáu jōe-toa âng-pao?Did you get a lot of red envelopes?
- 家豪 Ka-hao是的，非常開心。Sī ê, phi-siāng khai-sim.Yes, I am very happy.
