How to Say “Happy Chinese New Year” in Chinese

When people meet friends, relatives, colleagues, and even strangers during the festive period, they usually say “Xīnnián hǎo” (新年好), literally meaning ‘New Year Goodness’, or “Xīnnián kuàilè” (新年快乐), meaning ‘Happy Chinese New Year’.

One of the most famous traditional greetings for Chinese New Year is the Cantonese kung hei fat choi, literally ‘happiness and prosperity’. In Mandarin that’s gongxi facai.

新年好 — Happy Chinese New Year

• In Mandarin: xīn nián hǎo /sshin-nyen haoww/
• In Cantonese: san nin hou

恭喜发财 — Happiness and prosperity

• In Mandarin: gōng xǐ fā cái /gong-sshee faa-tseye/
• In Cantonese: gong hay fat choy

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