Chinese phrases
How to say happy new year in Chinese
Happy New Year in Chinese is 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè). It works for 1 January and for Chinese New Year. At Chinese New Year, you’ll also hear 过年好 and 春节快乐.
新年快乐
happy new year
Ways to say happy new year
新年快乐
Everydayhappy new year
For both new years: in person, in cards and in messages.
过年好
Everydayhappy (Chinese) New Year
The spoken greeting of the Spring Festival, when you visit relatives and neighbours.
新年好
Everydayhappy new year
Like 过年好, a little more neutral.
春节快乐
Writtenhappy Spring Festival
Common in messages, on cards and on TV.
元旦快乐
Textinghappy New Year’s Day
For 1 January only, mostly in messages to friends and colleagues.
恭喜发财
Everydaymay you prosper
A wish for wealth. Children say it with a grin and a hand out for a 红包.
羊年大吉
Writtengood luck in the Year of the Goat
On cards and posters for the year that starts on 6 February 2027.
How to answer
Say the same greeting back. Or:
你也是
you too
Easy and friendly.
同乐
same to you
Short and a bit formal, often in messages.
Common mistakes
Thinking 1 January is the big one
In China, 1 January is a one-day holiday. The big new year is the Spring Festival: 6 February in 2027.
Greeting the younger people first
When you visit family, greet the oldest people first: 爷爷奶奶过年好!
A New Year visit
阿姨，过年好！
Leon: Happy New Year, Auntie!
过年好！快进来！
Auntie: Happy New Year! Come in!
恭喜发财！
Leon: Wishing you a prosperous year!
