Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 | xīnnián kuàilè | |
| 新年好 | xīnnián hǎo | |
| 恭賀新禧 / 恭贺新禧 | gōnghèxīnxǐ | |
| 恭喜发财 | gōngxǐ fācái | |
| 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 | gōngxǐ fācái | idiomatic |
While 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 is a general greeting for any new year, 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is a specific wish for prosperity often used during the Lunar New Year. This phrase specifically means "May you be prosperous."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 新年快樂 is composed of 新年 (new year) and 快樂 (happy).
Which one should you use?
新年好 is a simpler, more casual way to say "Happy New Year" compared to the more standard 新年快樂. In contrast to the general greeting 新年快樂, 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is used specifically to wish someone prosperity during the Lunar New Year.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal and elegant way to wish someone a happy new year, which is often used in written cards or formal greetings, use 恭賀新禧 / 恭贺新禧. Conversely, 新年好 is an informal way to say "Happy New Year". Additionally, Chūnjié kuàilè (春节快乐) is a formal way to say "Happy Spring Festival".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 新年快樂 / 新年快乐 is xīnnián kuàilè.
When do people say it?
During Lunar New Year celebrations, the phrase 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is frequently paired with 新年快樂.
Did you know?
- The phrase 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 actually originated in Cantonese in Guangzhou after the Opium War and only later became a general Chinese greeting.
- In many Chinese communities, the greeting 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财 is the verbal accompaniment to giving hóngbāo, which are red envelopes filled with money.
- When saying 恭喜發財 / 恭喜发财, it is common to use both hands to present a red envelope or to bow slightly to show respect to elders.
Example sentences for Chinese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy new year” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 恭喜發財, CC BY-SA 4.0.
