Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 恭喜發財 | gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4 | Cantonese, Lunar New Year |
| 新年快樂 | san1 nin4 faai3 lok6 | Cantonese, traditional characters |
| 恭喜发财 | gōngxǐ fācái | Mandarin, simplified characters |
People say 恭喜發財 (gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4) when they meet family, friends and neighbors during the Lunar New Year season. It often comes together with the request for a red envelope, as in 利是逗來 (lai6 si6 dau6 loi4).
Which one should you use?
The plain way to say "happy new year" in Cantonese is 新年快樂 (san1 nin4 faai3 lok6). Mandarin speakers say 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái) with the same characters but a different sound, and also say 新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The spelling "Gung Hay Fat Choy" is an old English-style romanization of the Cantonese sound. In Hong Kong it is also written "Kung Hei Fat Choi".
How do you pronounce it?
The numbers in the romanization above are Jyutping tone numbers. Say it as "gung hei faat choi" with a high start on gung and a rising tone on hei.
Did you know?
- 恭喜發財 (gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4) is one of the best known Cantonese phrases outside China, and many English speakers learn it as the Chinese new year greeting.
Examples in context
- 恭喜發財，利是逗來！gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4, lai6 si6 dau6 loi4!Happy new year and may you prosper, red envelope please!
- 新年快樂，身體健康！san1 nin4 faai3 lok6, san1 tai2 gin6 hong1!Happy new year and good health!
- 恭喜发财，新年快乐！gōngxǐ fācái, xīnnián kuàilè!Prosperity and a happy new year! (Mandarin)
Example conversation
Wing and his aunt Mei greet each other at a Lunar New Year dinner in Hong Kong.
- Wing姨媽，恭喜發財！yi4 maa1, gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4!Auntie, happy new year and prosperity!
- Mei恭喜發財，身體健康！gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4, san1 tai2 gin6 hong1!Prosperity to you too, and good health!
- Wing新年快樂！san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!Happy new year!
