Are you curious about how to wish someone a Happy New Year in Shanghainese? As a distinct language in the Wu dialect family, Shanghai dialect or Shanghainese is widely spoken by the locals in the vibrant city of Shanghai, China. Learning a few phrases to greet your Shanghainese friends and colleagues during the festive season is a great way to show your appreciation for their culture and traditions. In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to say Happy New Year in Shanghainese and provide you with tips and examples to help you master this greeting.
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Formal Greeting: Xin Nian Kuai Le (新年快乐)
When it comes to wishing someone a Happy New Year formally, Shanghainese shares the same phrase as Standard Mandarin. The phrase “Xin Nian Kuai Le” (新年快乐) is widely used and understood across China during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) celebrations.
Breaking down the phrase, “Xin Nian” (新年) translates to “New Year,” and “Kuai Le” (快乐) means “happy” or “joyful.” When pronounced correctly, “Xin Nian Kuai Le” sounds like “shin nyen kwai luh.” Make sure to stress the second syllables of each word.
Tips for Pronunciation:
- Pronounce “Xin” as “shin,” with a soft “sh” sound.
- For “Nian,” pronounce it as “nyen,” as in “nylon.”
- “Kuai” should be pronounced as “kwai,” rhyming with “kite.”
- Lastly, “Le” is pronounced as “luh,” similar to the word “low.”
Example Sentences:
1. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Zhe Nian Xing Fu Wan Quan, Shi Jian Ping An!
(新年快乐！这年幸福万全，时间平安！)Translation: Happy New Year! May this year bring complete happiness and peace!
2. Wo Xiang Shi Nian Nian You Yu, Xin Nian Kuai Le!
(我祥狮年年有余，新年快乐！)Translation: May you have an abundance in the Year of the Lion Dance, Happy New Year!
Remember to adjust the second sentence to suit the specific zodiac animal of the current year. In this example, the “Year of the Lion Dance” is used, representing good luck and fortune.
Informal Greeting: Lu Gao Shang De Chang
Now, let’s explore a more informal way of saying Happy New Year in Shanghainese. A popular phrase used among friends and family in Shanghai is “Lu Gao Shang De Chang” (露高申得胀).
This humorous greeting literally means “May your profits rise and your waistline expand,” focusing on good fortune and abundance in the new year. While it may sound peculiar at first, it’s a lighthearted and friendly way to wish someone well.
Tips for Pronunciation:
- Pronounce “Lu” as “loo,” with a short “oo” sound, similar to “book.”
- “Gao” should be pronounced as “gao,” rhyming with “cow.”
- For “Shang,” pronounce it as “shang,” as in “shanghai.”
- Lastly, “De Chang” is pronounced as “duh chah-ng,” with a slight emphasis on the second syllable of “Chang.”
Example Sentences:
1. Lu Gao Shang De Chang! Quan Shi Jie Dou Mei You Fei Bian!
(露高申得胀！全世界都没变！)Translation: Happy New Year! May everything in the world remain unchanged!
2. Nian Nian Gao Sheng, Sheng Yi Bao Bao, Lu Gao Shang De Chang!
(年年高升，生意宝宝，露高申得胀！)Translation: May your business soar year after year, bringing lots of fortune and prosperity, Happy New Year!
Regional Variations:
While the formal and informal ways of saying Happy New Year provided above are widely understood in Shanghai and other areas where Shanghainese is spoken, it’s worth mentioning that there may be regional variations within the city.
For instance, some locals in Shanghai may use the phrase “Xin Nian Hao” (新年好) instead of “Xin Nian Kuai Le” to greet each other during the Spring Festival. “Xin Nian Hao” translates to “Happy New Year” and is more commonly used in other parts of China where Mandarin is the dominant language.
Remember, language is dynamic, and there might be subtle differences in greetings across specific neighborhoods or communities within Shanghai. If you’re planning to visit a particular district, it’s always a good idea to ask locals for their preferred New Year’s greetings to show your respect.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to say Happy New Year in Shanghainese. Whether you choose to go with the formal “Xin Nian Kuai Le” or the more informal “Lu Gao Shang De Chang,” both greetings will surely bring a smile to the faces of your Shanghainese friends and colleagues.
Remember to practice your pronunciation, pay attention to regional variations, and most importantly, approach the greeting with warmth and sincerity. Happy New Year or “Xin Nian Kuai Le” (新年快乐) in Shanghainese is just the beginning of your linguistic exploration, so be open to learning and embracing more of this fascinating language and culture.
