

In Mandarin, “Happy Chinese New Year” is “ xin nian kuai le” (pronounced shin nee-an kwai le), which is a formal greeting typically used for strangers and means “New Year happiness.” A shortened version is “ xin nian hao” (pronounced shin nee-an how) is more often used for friends and family. There are a few other ways to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year. It directly translates to “wishing you great happiness and prosperity.” In Mandarin, the same greeting is “ gong xi fa cai” (pronounced gong she fa tsai). “ Gong hei fat choy” is the most common Chinese New Year greeting in Cantonese, which is spoken in parts of southern China and Hong Kong.
#How do you say happy new year in chinese how to#
How can I wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year? How to say Happy New Year in Chinese and are there other greetings To say 'Happy Chinese New Year' in Mandarin: xin nian (new year) kuai le (happy) - which is pronounced shin nee-an kwai le. Traditions and customs vary by country, but across the board, the holiday centers on reuniting with family and honoring ancestors. During Vietnam’s “Tet Nguyen Dan,” Vietnamese clean their homes to get rid of bad luck and eat banh chung, a sweet sticky rice. During South Korea’s Lunar New Year, which is called “Seollal,” Koreans will don traditional garb call Hanbok and play a traditional board game called Yunnori. In East and Southeast Asia, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam put on festivities. The Lunar New Year is celebrated all over the world. What countries celebrate Chinese New Year?Ĭhinese New Year celebrations are not limited to China. Some famous dogs include: Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, Elvis Presley, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Steven Spielberg, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Justin Bieber. The numbers 3, 4, and 9 are considered lucky, as well as the colors red, green, and purple. But they are also meant to have poor communication skills, and can leave an impression of stubbornness.

Those born in these years are said to be loyal, honest, selfless, cautious, and prudent. Last year was the Year of the Rooster and 2018 is the Year of the Dog. Check the other expressions we already translated, or use our forum to have a new word or expression translated in all languages. The New Year is also a chance to prepare for good fortune and luck in the coming year.Įach year on the Chinese calendar is assigned an animal of the zodiac, which is repeated every 12 years. How to write and say Happy New Year in many languages. Legend has it that to scare away the beast, the villagers would put up red banners and explode firecrackers and bang drums.Ĭhinese New Year traditions vary across Chinese communities, but most celebrations involve fireworks, family reunions and feasts, and paying respects to one’s ancestors. The holiday was born out the myth of Nian (also the Chinese word for “year”), a beast that would appear every New Year’s Eve and attack villagers.

What is the Chinese New Year?Ĭhinese New Year is a centuries old festival that celebrates the new year according to the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, so the exact dates change every year, but it usually occurs in late January or February, around the new moon closest to the beginning of spring. Officially, the holiday runs for three days, but unofficially it is celebrated over the course of two weeks. Thinking of you and wishing you a beautiful Christmas season.This year, Chinese New Year begins on Friday, Feb. Xin Nian Kuai Le: Pronounced 'sheen neean kwai luh,' kuai le means 'happy' or 'joyous,' and xin nian means 'new year. Business owners and workmates use gong xi fa cai as the usual way to say 'happy new year' in Chinese. Měi lì de shèng dàn jié zhī jì, jǐn zhì wǒ de sī niàn yǔ zhù fú In essence, you are wishing one joy and prosperity in the new year. Wishing you peace, joy and happiness through Christmas and the coming year.

Zài shèng dàn hé xīn nián lái lín zhī jì, zhù fú nǐ píng ān, kuài lè, xìng fú Xiàn shàng zuì chéng zhì de jié rì zhù fú One is a more faithful translation of the ‘sleighing song’, and the other, beautifully entitled Finding Plum Blossom in Snow, talks about book, music, and a donkey!Ī Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. For example, the famous Christmas song Jingle Bells has two Chinese versions. Christmas songs are sung in Chinese, but the joy they bring is universal. All consumer businesses in the big cities, from shopping malls to food stands, Western-style or deeply Chinese, decorate themselves in Christmas fashion. Unlike during Chinese New Year, they don’t have to travel back to their parents’ home, and don’t have to worry about high expectations from family members. Christmas for the Chinese, especially the urban youth, is a great time for fun. Of all the Western holidays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are the most readily adopted by the Chinese people.
