新年快乐
xīnnián kuàilèstandard, January 1
In Simplified Chinese, happy new year is 新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè). For Lunar New Year, people say 春节快乐 (Chūnjié kuàilè) or the casual 过年好 (guònián hǎo).
Meaning: New Year greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 新年快乐 | xīnnián kuàilè | standard, January 1 |
| 春节快乐 | Chūnjié kuàilè | Lunar New Year |
| 过年好 | guònián hǎo | casual, Lunar New Year |
过年好 (guònián hǎo) is what you say to neighbors and relatives during the festival days, and it is often followed by a gift of a red envelope to children.
Which one should you use?
新年 (xīnnián) points to the January 1 new year, while 春节 (Chūnjié), "Spring Festival", is the Lunar New Year. In Simplified script, 乐 is the written form where Traditional uses 樂.
When do people say it?
Many families add the wish 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái), "congratulations and be prosperous", after the greeting.
Did you know?
- Red envelopes are called 红包 (hóngbāo), and they are given to children during the festival.
Examples in context
- 新年快乐！xīnnián kuàilèHappy New Year!
- 春节快乐，身体健康！Chūnjié kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāngHappy Spring Festival, good health!
- 大家过年好！dàjiā guònián hǎoHappy New Year, everyone!
Example conversation
Zhang Wei visits his grandmother on the first morning of the Spring Festival.
- Zhang Wei奶奶，过年好！nǎinai, guònián hǎoGrandma, happy New Year!
- Grandma过年好，快进来。guònián hǎo, kuài jìnláiHappy New Year, come in.
- Zhang Wei祝您身体健康。zhù nín shēntǐ jiànkāngI wish you good health.
