阖家幸福
hé jiā xìng fú
The English phrase "happy family" can be expressed in Mandarin as 阖家幸福 (hé jiā xìng fú).
阖家幸福 is most commonly used as a formal well-wish or greeting, such as during the Lunar New Year or other significant holidays.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 阖家 (the whole family) and 幸福 (happiness/blessedness).
Which one should you use?
While 阖家幸福 is a formal greeting, a more casual way to express a happy family in conversation would be using the word 家庭 (jiātíng) for family and 幸福 (xìngfú) for happy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
阖家幸福 is a formal or literary way to say "the whole family", making this phrase suitable for written greetings, cards or formal speeches. Other formal variations include 幸福的家庭 (xìngfú de jiātíng), which is a formal way to say "happy family" and 家庭幸福 (jiātíng xìngfú), which is a formal expression that emphasizes the happiness of the family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 和睦的家庭 (hémù de jiātíng) is used to highlight the harmonious nature of a family.
How do you pronounce it?
hé jiā xìng fú
Did you know?
- The character 阖 (hé) in the phrase 阖家幸福 is quite literary and often evokes the image of a closed door or a lid, metaphorically suggesting the family is gathered together under one roof.
- While 幸福 translates as 'happy', it describes a deep, long-term sense of fulfillment and wellbeing rather than a fleeting emotion. In Mandarin, the word for a temporary 'happy' feeling is 开心, which is rarely used in formal greetings like 阖家幸福.
- When wishing someone 阖家幸福 during the Lunar New Year, it is common to pair it with the phrase 万事如意, which means 'may everything go as you wish'. Together, they form a standard rhythmic pair used in formal calligraphy.
Examples in context
- 祝您拥有幸福的家庭。Wishing you a happy family.
- 愿你的家庭幸福安康。May your family be happy and healthy.
- 祝你的家庭美满幸福。Wishing your family bliss and happiness.
- 希望你们一直拥有和睦的家庭。May you always have a harmonious family.
- 在这特殊的日子里，祝你们的家庭幸福安康。On this special day, wishing your family happiness and good health.
- 祝您和您的家庭生活幸福美满。Wishing you and your family a happy and fulfilling life.
- 祝你们阖家幸福。Zhù nǐmen héjiā xìngfú.I wish your whole family happiness.
- 新年快乐，阖家幸福。Xīnnián kuàilè, héjiā xìngfú.Happy New Year, and may your family be happy.
- 愿你阖家幸福，万事如意。Yuàn nǐ héjiā xìngfú, wànshì rúyì.May you and your family be happy and everything go well.
Example conversation
Xiaowen is sending a holiday greeting card to Junjie.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen俊杰，新年快乐！Jùnjié, xīnnián kuàilè!Junjie, Happy New Year!
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢晓雯，也祝你阖家幸福。Xièxiè Xiǎowén, yě zhù nǐ héjiā xìngfú.Thanks Xiaowen, I wish you and your family happiness too.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，大家都要好好的。Xièxiè, dàjiā dōu yào hǎohǎo de.Thank you, I hope everyone stays well.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们会的。Wǒmen huì de.We will.
