As the vibrant lanterns are hung and the scent of festive feasts fills the air, it’s clear that Chinese New Year is upon us. This is a time of renewal, reunion, and immense joy, particularly for Cantonese-speaking communities around the world. A central tradition of this celebration is the exchange of auspicious greetings, or *gat coeng waa* (吉祥話), which are more than just simple pleasantries—they are potent blessings meant to usher in a year of luck, health, and prosperity.
Whether you’re sharing a meal with your family in Hong Kong, visiting friends in Guangzhou, or connecting with colleagues from afar, knowing the right words can make all the difference. Using a heartfelt Cantonese wish shows respect for tradition and deepens your connection with the people you care about. To help you share the best blessings, we’ve crafted this comprehensive guide to Chinese New Year wishes in Cantonese, complete with characters, easy-to-pronounce romanization, and English translations.
The Classics: Essential Greetings Everyone Should Know
These are the foundational phrases of Chinese New Year. Timeless and universally understood, they are your go-to greetings for almost anyone you meet during the festive period.
1. 恭喜發財 (Gong Hey Fat Choy)
- Translation: Wishing you happiness and prosperity. This is the most famous and widely used greeting.
2. 新年快樂 (Sun Nin Fai Lok)
- Translation: Happy New Year. A simple, direct, and warm greeting.
3. 萬事如意 (Maan Si Yu Yi)
- Translation: May all your wishes come true. A beautiful and all-encompassing blessing.
4. 身體健康 (Sun Tai Gin Hong)
- Translation: Wishing you good health. A crucial and deeply valued wish, especially for elders.
5. 心想事成 (Sum Seung Si Sing)
- Translation: May all your heart's desires be fulfilled.
6. 大吉大利 (Dai Gut Dai Lei)
- Translation: Good luck and great fortune.
7. 笑口常開 (Siu Hau Soeng Hoi)
- Translation: May you be filled with laughter and smiles.
8. 出入平安 (Cheut Yup Ping On)
- Translation: Wishing you safety and peace wherever you go.
For Wealth & Success: Wishes for Colleagues, Bosses & Business Partners
In a professional context, wishes often focus on career growth, business success, and financial prosperity. Use these to wish your boss, coworkers, or clients a fruitful year ahead.
1. 生意興隆 (Saang Yi Hing Lung)
- Translation: May your business prosper. Perfect for a business owner.
2. 馬到功成 (Ma Dou Sing Gung)
- Translation: Wishing you instant success.
3. 步步高陞 (Bou Bou Go Sing)
- Translation: Wishing you promotions and advancement step by step. Ideal for a colleague or subordinate.
4. 財源廣進 (Choi Yun Gwong Jeun)
- Translation: May wealth flow in from all directions.
5. 工作順利 (Gung Jok Seun Lei)
- Translation: May your work go smoothly. A great, practical wish for any colleague.
6. 一本萬利 (Yat Bun Maan Lei)
- Translation: May you get a tenfold thousand return on your investment. A wish for great profits.
7. 鴻圖大展 (Hung Tou Dai Jin)
- Translation: May your grand plans be realized. A wonderful wish for a boss or ambitious peer.
For Health & Happiness: Heartfelt Wishes for Family & Elders
When greeting family, especially parents and grandparents, the focus shifts to health, longevity, and overall well-being. These wishes are warm, respectful, and full of love.
1. 龍馬精神 (Lung Ma Jing Sun)
- Translation: May you have the spirit and vitality of a dragon and a horse. A classic way to wish elders great energy and health.
2. 福壽雙全 (Fuk Sau Soeng Cyun)
- Translation: May you be blessed with both happiness and longevity.
3. 青春常駐 (Cing Ceon Soeng Zyu)
- Translation: May you have eternal youth. A flattering and popular wish for older ladies.
4. 和氣生財 (Wo Hei Saang Choi)
- Translation: May harmony bring wealth. This emphasizes the importance of a peaceful family environment.
5. 兒孫滿堂 (Yi Syun Mun Tong)
- Translation: May you have a house full of children and grandchildren. A traditional blessing for a large, happy family.
6. 歲歲平安 (Seoi Seoi Ping On)
- Translation: Wishing you peace year after year.
7. 開開心心 (Hoi Hoi Sum Sum)
- Translation: Wishing you abundant happiness.
For the Younger Generation: Fun & Encouraging Wishes for Kids & Students
For children, nephews, nieces, and students, greetings are typically centered on growth, intelligence, and academic success. They are often delivered with a bright smile and a red envelope (*lai see*).
1. 學業進步 (Hok Yip Jeun Bou)
- Translation: May you make progress in your studies. The number one wish from every parent and relative!
2. 快高長大 (Faai Go Jeung Dai)
- Translation: Grow up tall and strong quickly.
3. 聰明伶俐 (Chung Ming Ling Lei)
- Translation: May you be bright and clever.
4. 精靈活潑 (Jing Ling Woot Put)
- Translation: May you be lively and energetic.
5. 學乜識乜 (Hok Mat Sik Mat)
- Translation: May you learn and master everything you try. A modern, colloquial-sounding wish.
6. 開開心心 (Hoi Hoi Sum Sum)
- Translation: Wishing you constant happiness. (Yes, it's great for all ages!)
7. 前程似錦 (Cin Cing Ci Gam)
- Translation: May you have a bright and splendid future.
Modern & Playful Twists: Creative Greetings for Friends
Move beyond the classics with these contemporary and fun wishes perfect for your friends. They’re a bit more casual and often include a touch of humor.
1. 食極唔肥 (Sik Gik M Fei)
- Translation: May you eat a lot without getting fat. The ultimate blessing for any foodie friend during the festive season!
2. 數錢數到手抽筋 (Sou Cin Sou Dou Sau Cau Gan)
- Translation: May you count so much money that your hands cramp up.
3. 日日有魚有肉 (Yat Yat Yau Yu Yau Yuk)
- Translation: May you have fish and meat every day (i.e., a life of abundance and good food).
4. 桃花運旺 (Tou Faa Wan Wong)
- Translation: May you have strong "peach blossom luck." A cheeky way to wish your single friends good luck in finding a romantic partner.
5. 升職加薪 (Sing Jik Ga Sun)
- Translation: Get promoted and a raise! A direct and desired wish among young professionals.
6. 心廣體胖 (Sum Gwong Tai Pun)
- Translation: A happy heart and a healthy (pleasantly plump) body. It means to be carefree and well-fed.
7. 要乜有乜 (Yiu Mat Yau Mat)
- Translation: May you get whatever you want. Simple, powerful, and straight to the point!
The Ultimate Combo: Putting It All Together for a Powerful Blessing
In Cantonese culture, it's very common to string multiple four-character idioms together to create a longer, more impressive, and layered blessing. Don’t be shy about combining your favorites!
- For an Elder:
> "Zuk Nei Sun Nin Fai Lok, Sun Tai Gin Hong, Lung Ma Jing Sun, Siu Hau Soeng Hoi!"
> (祝你新年快樂，身體健康，龍馬精神，笑口常開!)
> Translation: "Wishing you a Happy New Year, good health, great vitality, and a year full of laughter!"
- For a Colleague or Boss:
> "Gong Hey Fat Choy! Zuk Nei Saang Yi Hing Lung, Bou Bou Go Sing, Ma Dou Sing Gung!"
> (恭喜發財！祝你生意興隆，步步高陞，馬到功成!)
> Translation: "Happy New Year! I wish your business prosperity, promotions at every step, and instant success!"
- For a Friend:
> "Sun Nin Fai Lok! Zuk Nei Dai Gut Dai Lei, Sik Gik M Fei, Tou Faa Wan Wong!"
> (新年快樂！祝你大吉大利，食極唔肥，桃花運旺！)
> Translation: "Happy New Year! Wishing you great luck, the ability to eat lots without gaining weight, and amazing luck in love!"
### A Final Thought
No matter which Cantonese New Year wish you choose, the most important ingredient is your sincerity. A warm smile and a genuine tone will make your greeting resonate deeply. Feel free to mix and match from the lists above to create a personalized blessing that perfectly suits the moment.
Gong Hey Fat Choy!