Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 | san¹ nin⁴ faai³ lok⁶ | |
| 恭喜发财 | gung¹ hei² faat³ coi⁴ | |
| 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 | gung¹ hei² faat³ coi⁴ | idiomatic |
While 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 is a direct way to say Happy New Year, 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is a traditional idiomatic expression used to wish someone wealth and prosperity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 (san¹ nin⁴ faai³ lok⁶) literally translates to 'new year happy'. The idiomatic phrase 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 (gung¹ hei² faat³ coi⁴) literally means 'congratulations and may you prosper/make a fortune'.
Which one should you use?
Use 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 for a general 'Happy New Year' greeting. In contrast, 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is a more traditional wish specifically focused on wealth and prosperity.
How do you pronounce it?
san¹ nin⁴ faai³ lok⁶
When do people say it?
The phrase 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is most commonly used during the Lunar New Year, particularly when greeting elders or business associates. In Cantonese culture, it is the standard greeting used when receiving or giving red envelopes (lai⁴ si¹ / lai⁴ sei²).
Did you know?
- The word 發 in 恭喜發財 does not just mean 'making money' but historically refers to a sudden 'burst' of success or growth, like a seed sprouting.
- During New Year celebrations, Cantonese speakers avoid using words that sound like 'loss' or 'death' to prevent ruining the luck brought by phrases like 新年快樂.
- The character 財 in 恭喜發財 is often written as a decorative charm on doors and walls during the New Year, turning the spoken phrase into a visual talisman.
Example sentences for Cantonese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy new year” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
