Gong Xi Fa Cai! Chinese New Year is a time of vibrant celebration, joyous family reunions, and cherished traditions. One of the most important customs is the exchange of auspicious greetings, or 吉祥话 (jíxiáng huà). These aren't just simple well-wishes; they are powerful blessings meant to usher in a year of good fortune, health, and prosperity for your loved ones.
Finding the perfect words can feel daunting, especially when you want to honor the tradition and convey a heartfelt message. Whether you're writing a card, sending a text, or greeting someone in person, this guide will provide you with the perfect Chinese New Year wishes in Mandarin for every person in your life. We've included the Mandarin characters, the Pinyin for pronunciation, and the English translation to help you share your blessings with confidence and sincerity.
The Essentials: Classic & Universal Greetings
These are the must-know, go-to phrases that work for almost any situation. If you only learn a few, start with these timeless classics.
1. 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè)
Happy New Year.
2. 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái)
Wishing you happiness and prosperity. (A very common and popular greeting).
3. 万事如意 (Wànshì rúyì)
May all your wishes be fulfilled.
4. 心想事成 (Xīn xiǎng shì chéng)
May all your heart's desires come true.
5. 阖家欢乐 (Héjiā huānlè)
May your whole family be filled with happiness.
6. 大吉大利 (Dàjí dàlì)
Lots of luck and profits.
7. 年年有余 (Nián nián yǒuyú)
Wishing you a surplus of prosperity year after year.
8. 岁岁平安 (Suì suì píng'ān)
Wishing you peace year after year.
For Family & Elders: Blessings for Health & Longevity
When greeting parents, grandparents, and other respected elders, the focus shifts to health, peace, and a long, happy life. These wishes show deep respect and care.
1. 身体健康 (Shēntǐ jiànkāng)
2. 福寿双全 (Fú shòu shuāngquán)
May you enjoy both happiness and longevity.
3. 笑口常开 (Xiào kǒu cháng kāi)
May you smile and laugh often.
4. 出入平安 (Chūrù píng'ān)
Wishing you safety and peace wherever you go.
5. 龙马精神 (Lóng mǎ jīngshén)
Wishing you the spirit and vitality of a dragon and horse. (Wishing great energy and health).
6. 平安喜乐 (Píng'ān xǐlè)
Wishing you a life of peace, joy, and happiness.
7. 福气满满 (Fúqì mǎnmǎn)
May your good fortune be overflowing.
8. 吉祥如意 (Jíxiáng rúyì)
Wishing you good luck according to your wishes.
For Colleagues & Business Partners: Wishes for Prosperity & Success
In a professional context, greetings are centered on career advancement, business growth, and financial success. These are perfect for your boss, coworkers, and clients.
1. 生意兴隆 (Shēngyì xīnglóng)
May your business flourish.
2. 财源广进 (Cáiyuán guǎng jìn)
May wealth flow in from all directions.
3. 工作顺利 (Gōngzuò shùnlì)
May your work go smoothly.
4. 步步高升 (Bùbù gāoshēng)
May you be promoted step by step.
5. 大展宏图 (Dàzhǎn hóngtú)
May you realize your great ambitions.
6. 合作愉快 (Hézuò yúkuài)
Wishing us a happy and pleasant cooperation in the new year.
7. 事业有成 (Shìyè yǒuchéng)
May you have great success in your career.
8. 开工大吉 (Kāigōng dàjí)
Wishing you good luck on the first day back to work.
For Friends: Heartfelt Wishes for Happiness & a Great Year
For your friends, you can be a bit more casual and personal. These wishes focus on general happiness, beauty, and all-around good luck for the year ahead.
1. 青春常驻 (Qīngchūn cháng zhù)
May you stay forever young.
2. 天天开心 (Tiāntiān kāixīn)
May you be happy every single day.
3. 好运连连 (Hǎo yùn liánlián)
May good luck be with you continuously.
4. 前程似锦 (Qiánchéng sì jǐn)
May you have a bright and splendid future.
5. 美梦成真 (Měimèng chéngzhēn)
May all your beautiful dreams come true.
6. 一切顺利 (Yīqiè shùnlì)
May everything go smoothly for you.
7. 幸福美满 (Xìngfú měimǎn)
Wishing you a life of happiness and fulfillment.
For Students: Wishing Academic Success & Bright Futures
Encourage the young scholars in your life with these wishes tailored for academic achievement and progress.
1. 学业有成 (Xuéyè yǒuchéng)
May you achieve success in your studies.
2. 学习进步 (Xuéxí jìnbù)
Wishing you great progress in your learning.
3. 金榜题名 (Jīnbǎng tímíng)
May you succeed in your examinations. (Literally: "to have one's name on the golden榜," a list of successful imperial exam candidates).
4. 天天向上 (Tiāntiān xiàngshàng)
May you make progress every day.
5. 前途无量 (Qiántú wúliàng)
Wishing you a limitless future.
6. 更上一层楼 (Gèng shàng yī céng lóu)
May you reach an even higher level of achievement.
7. 聪明伶俐 (Cōngmíng línglì)
Wishing you a year of intelligence and wit.
Short & Auspicious: Perfect for Texts & Social Media
In a hurry or need something punchy for a social media caption? These short, often four-character, idioms pack a powerful, festive punch.
1. 龙年大吉 (Lóng nián dàjí)
Great luck in the Year of the Dragon. (Note: Change "龙 Lóng" for the zodiac animal of the year).
2. 恭贺新禧 (Gōnghè xīnxǐ)
A respectful congratulations on the New Year.
3. 财源滚滚 (Cáiyuán gǔngǔn)
May wealth roll in.
4. 好运常在 (Hǎoyùn cháng zài)
May good luck be with you always.
5. 万象更新 (Wànxiàng gēngxīn)
Everything is fresh and renewed for the new year.
6. 五福临门 (Wǔ fú lín mén)
May the five blessings (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a natural death) come to your door.
7. 吉星高照 (Jíxīng gāozhào)
May the lucky star shine upon you.
No matter which wish you choose, the most important ingredient is the sincerity behind it. Feel free to combine different phrases to create a more personalized message. For example, you could say "祝您身体健康，新年快乐！(Zhù nín shēntǐ jiànkāng, xīnnián kuàilè!)" which means "Wishing you good health and a Happy New Year!" Adding a personal touch will make your greeting even more special.
Happy New Year! 新年快乐