Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a time of vibrant celebration, delicious feasts, and cherished family reunions. It’s a holiday bursting with traditions and symbolism, all centered on sweeping away the old and welcoming a future filled with luck, prosperity, and happiness. As red lanterns light up the streets and the air fills with excitement, you may find yourself wanting to share in the joy and send a thoughtful greeting.
Finding the right words is a beautiful way to show respect and care for friends, family, and colleagues who are celebrating. Whether you’re crafting a message for a formal business email, a heartfelt card for your grandparents, or a quick text to a friend, this guide offers the perfect wish for every situation. Let's welcome the new year with words that bring warmth and good fortune to all.
The Essential Classics: Traditional Greetings & Their Meanings
These are the tried-and-true greetings you'll hear most often. They are perfect for almost any situation and carry the core spirit of the celebration.
1. 恭喜发财 (Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái): The most famous greeting, it translates to "Wishing you great happiness and prosperity." It’s a classic way to wish someone financial luck and success in the new year.
2. 新年快乐 (Xīn Nián Kuài Lè): This is the most direct translation of "Happy New Year." It’s a universal and warm greeting suitable for everyone.
3. 万事如意 (Wàn Shì Rú Yì): "May all your wishes be fulfilled." This is a beautiful and encompassing wish for someone's hopes and dreams to come true.
4. 年年有余 (Nián Nián Yǒu Yú): "Wishing you a surplus and abundance year after year." This is a clever play on words, as the character for "surplus" (余, yú) sounds the same as the character for "fish" (鱼, yú).
5. 大吉大利 (Dà Jí Dà Lì): "Wishing you lots of luck and great profit." A powerful and positive wish for good fortune in all endeavors.
6. 步步高升 (Bù Bù Gāo Shēng): "May you rise higher with every step." This is an excellent wish for someone's career, wishing them promotions and continuous improvement.
7. 新春大吉 (Xīn Chūn Dà Jí): "Great luck in the new spring!" A lovely way to acknowledge the "Spring Festival" aspect of the holiday.
For Family and Elders: Wishes of Health, Longevity, and Togetherness
When addressing family, especially older relatives, wishes for health and happiness are often more valued than wishes for wealth. The tone should be deeply respectful and full of warmth.
1. Wishing Grandpa and Grandma a new year filled with endless health, joy, and peace. 身体健康 (Shēn Tǐ Jiàn Kāng)!
2. May this new year bring our family closer and fill our home with laughter and love. Happy Lunar New Year!
3. To my dearest parents, thank you for everything. I wish you both a year of good health, happiness, and tranquility.
4. Happy Chinese New Year! May you be blessed with the longevity of the mountains and a fortune as vast as the sea.
5. Hoping the new year brings you both good health and a heart full of joy. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
6. 阖家欢乐 (Hé Jiā Huān Lè)! Wishing our entire family happiness and joy in the coming year.
7. May you have a peaceful and healthy new year, surrounded by everyone who loves you.
8. Thinking of you all during this special time. May the Year of the [Current Animal] bring our family harmony and great happiness.
In the Workplace: Professional Wishes for Colleagues and Partners
For colleagues, clients, or your boss, the wishes should be professional yet optimistic, focusing on shared success and a prosperous future together.
1. Wishing you and your company a prosperous and successful Chinese New Year. May our partnership continue to flourish.
2. Happy Lunar New Year! We look forward to another year of successful collaboration.
3. May the new year bring your business new opportunities, great success, and soaring profits. 生意兴隆 (Shēng Yì Xīng Lóng)!
4. Wishing you and your team a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
5. It’s been a pleasure working with you this past year. May the new year bring you continued success and good fortune.
6. Happy Chinese New Year to a great boss! Wishing you a year of success, and our team a year of great achievements under your leadership.
7. May your ventures be successful and your work be rewarding in the new year and beyond.
8. Warmest wishes for a Happy Chinese New Year. May it be a year of great growth and prosperity for us all.
9. Hoping the new year brings you a wealth of new ideas and ventures. All the best!
For Your Friends: Modern, Casual, and Fun Messages
For friends and peers, you can be more casual and playful. These messages are perfect for texts, group chats, and social media posts.
1. Happy Lunar New Year! Hope you get all the red envelopes and eat all the delicious food! 🧧
2. Out with the old, in with the new! Hope the Year of the [Current Animal] is absolutely amazing for you.
3. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Let’s make this new year our best one yet.
4. Happy LNY! Wishing you good luck, good health, and good times.
5. Hope your new year is bright, fun, and full of adventure! Let’s catch up soon.
6. Wishing you 12 months of happiness and 52 weeks of fun. Happy Chinese New Year, my friend!
7. May your new year be as bright and awesome as you are!
8. Firecrackers, dumplings, and good company. What more could we ask for? Happy New Year!
9. Ready to roar into the new year with you! Wishing you all the best.
Beyond Prosperity: Heartfelt Wishes for Happiness, Health, and Success
Sometimes, you want to send a message that’s more personal and specific than a general wish for wealth. These wishes focus on personal growth, health, and overall well-being.
1. May the new year wash away your worries and bring you a fresh start filled with peace and happiness.
2. Wishing you a year where all your dreams take flight and your hard work leads to great achievements.
3. For my friend in school: May this year bring you great focus and success in your studies. 学业有成 (Xué Yè Yǒu Chéng)!
4. May the coming year bless you with robust health, unwavering strength, and endless energy.
5. Hoping the new year brings you clarity, purpose, and the courage to pursue everything that makes you happy.
6. Wishing you a year filled with wonderful moments, simple joys, and cherished memories.
7. May your spirit be renewed and your path be clear. Wishing you a happy and fulfilling New Year.
8. Here's to a year of good health, a happy heart, and a peaceful mind. Happy Chinese New Year.
9. May every day of the new year be a step toward the life you've always wanted.
### A Final Touch of Sincerity
No matter which wish you choose, the most important ingredient is your genuine sentiment. Feel free to mix and match these ideas or add a personal touch—perhaps by mentioning a shared memory from the past year or a specific hope you have for the person. Your heartfelt effort to connect is the greatest gift of all.
Happy Chinese New Year!