xīnnián kuàilè
standard
In pinyin "happy new year" in Chinese is xīnnián kuàilè, written 新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè). During the Lunar New Year people also say guònián hǎo and gōngxǐ fācái.
Meaning: new year greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Note |
|---|---|
| xīnnián kuàilè | standard |
| guònián hǎo | Lunar New Year |
| gōngxǐ fācái | Lunar New Year, prosperity |
Xīnnián means "new year" and kuàilè means "happy". The phrase fits January 1 and also the Lunar New Year.
Which one should you use?
Guònián hǎo, written 过年好 (guònián hǎo), is a warm Spring Festival greeting. Gōngxǐ fācái, written 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái), wishes the listener wealth.
When do people say it?
The Chinese new year is also called Chūnjié, the Spring Festival, and it is the most important family holiday of the year.
Did you know?
- Children often get a red envelope called hóngbāo with money inside during the Spring Festival.
Examples in context
- Xīnnián kuàilè!Happy new year!
- Guònián hǎo, bàibai!Happy new year, and a bow to you!
- Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái!Wishing you wealth, hand over the red envelope!
Example conversation
Mei visits her grandmother Nainai on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
- MeiNǎinai, xīnnián kuàilè!Grandma, happy new year!
- NainaiXīnnián kuàilè, hǎo hái zi.Happy new year, good child.
- MeiGōngxǐ fācái!Wishing you prosperity!
