Do you know how to convey Chinese New Year wishes to someone celebrating the festival? Sure, you can stick to standard Chinese New Year greetings in English, like "Happy Chinese New Year" or "Happy Lunar New Year," as they are easy to remember and widely used. But if you really want to make your wishes stand out, there are phrases in Mandarin and Cantonese that can add a personal touch.
đ„No formal Chinese class required!
Thatâs why Iâm saying that these greetings are more than just words; they carry meaning and tradition, expressing good luck, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead. By learning a few key phrases, you will not only impress your family, friends, colleagues, and elders but also show thoughtfulness and cultural awareness. Even a small effort goes a long way in making your wishes feel sincere and festive.
In this article, Iâve rounded up some easy-to-learn messages in both Mandarin and Cantonese, along with tips on when and how to use them. I have also included some personalised messages that you can use based on the situation. By the end, youâll be ready to confidently go beyond the basic âHappy Chinese New Yearâ and bring smiles, laughter, and a touch of tradition to everyone you greet this Chinese New Year!
Chinese Lunar New Year Wishes in this Guide:
- Learn popular New Year messages used during the CNY
- Discover common Mandarin and Cantonese phrases, including xin nian kuai le, gong hei fat choy, hay fat choy, and nin fai lok
- Find the right CNY messages for loved ones and business contacts, with blessings for good health, luck, and fortune.
- Learn how you can personalise new year wishes
Common Chinese New Year Greetings
CNY is one of the most important festivals, celebrated not only by the Chinese community in Malaysia but also by folks in China, Korea, Vietnam1, and many other countries around the world.
It marks the arrival of the new year based on the lunar calendar and usually falls between January 21 and February 20. The celebration lasts for 15 days, beginning on the first day of the lunar calendar and ending with the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day.
In Malaysia, the final day is more commonly known as Chap Goh Mei2. It is celebrated more culturally and socially, with lanterns lit and displayed in temples and dedicated public spaces, and visits to temples to offer prayers for well-being, vitality, and abundance. Special dinners are also held to mark the end of the celebrations.
You donât need to be an expert to know everything in and out about the 15-day-long festival. For now, letâs just take a look at the common CNY expressions that are widely used in Malaysia.
Chinese New Year Wishes In Mandarin
æ°ćčŽć„œ (XÄ«nniĂĄn hÇo) - New Year Greetings
This is a shorter and more casual expression. Itâs commonly used in conversations or as a quick greeting when meeting someone during the CNY. Itâs less expressive than âHappy New Yearâ, but itâs still polite and widely understood.
æ°ćčŽćż«äč (xÄ«n niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂš) - Happy New Year
sshin-nyen kwhy-ler/
æććèŽą - gĆng xÇ fÄ cĂĄi
I can never speak this version of Happy New Year in Chinese without hearing Andy Lau sing it. He is one of Hong Kong cinema's biggest stars, and he's currently the Vice-Chairman of China's Film Association.
In China, as elsewhere in the world, the celebrations feature an hours-long, televised gala. Though many younger locals consider the show trite, Andy Lau's appearance, to sing æććèŽą, is the spectacle's highpoint.
Putting nÄ (äœ - you) in the middle - æćäœ ćèŽą makes the expressions more targeted.
This expression, which means "Joy and Abundance", is suitable for everyone. Adding ânÄâ (gĆng xÇ fÄ cĂĄ nÄ) changes it to "Joy and Abundance to you". That's how Andy sings it!
èćčŽćż«äč- shĂ© niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂš
2026 marks the cycle of the Horse, according to the zodiac. So, it's appropriate to wish folks a Happy Horse Year.
In China, it's common to wish folks "Happy (zodiac animal) New Year!" ahead of or just after the festival. But you don't have to. You can stick with the standard 'New Year Happiness'. It applies to both observations.
Like wishing folks a good Horse Year, you can wish loved ones and neighbours a good New Year (æ°ćčŽć„œ - xÄ«n niĂĄn hÇo). Don't forget the ć at the end! Roughly translated, it means "Have a good New Year, okay?"
This is a handy expression to remember because you only need to insert the proper zodiac animal each cycle.
In the zodiac, 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, vitality, and forward momentum. Individuals born under this sign are often associated with independence, courage, and a spirited personality. During this festival, many expressions focus on achievement, well-being, and smooth progress, encouraging both personal growth and professional development.
Folks born in this year are often seen as confident, social, and free-spirited, but dislike being controlled.
This is best for children, casual acquaintances, and neighbours. You can make it more colloquial by saying é©ŹćčŽć„œ (mÇ niĂĄn hÇo) - have a good Horse Year. It sounds even more natural when you add the ć (ah) particle at the end!
Chinese New Year Wishes in Cantonese
Alongside Mandarin, Cantonese (different dialects) is also a widely spoken language among the Chinese in Malaysia. Learning classic expressions in the language is a fun approach to connect with loved ones and neighbours during the festival.
- æććèŽą (Kung Hei Fatt Choi) â Wishing you happiness and prosperity
Pronounced differently in Cantonese, but it has the same meaning as the Mandarin version: wishing someone joy and abundance. - æ°ćčŽćż«äč (San nin faai lok) â Happy New Year
To cheerfully mark the start of the new year. - èș«äœć„ćș· (San Tai Gin Hong) - May you enjoy strong health
This can be used among friends and family (especially elders or someone with health concerns). - ćżæłäșæ (Sam Seung Si Sing) - May all your wishes be realised
Often used among friends and family to wish that all their heart's desires be fulfilled.
You can keep your message simple with just number 2, or layer additional wishes like 1, 3, or 4 on top to make it more personal and meaningful.
Chinese New Year Wishes for Different Recipients
1. General
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| æ°ćčŽćż«äč XÄ«n niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂš | Happy New Year |
| æ„èćż«äč ChĆ«n jiĂ© kuĂ i lĂš | Happy Spring Festival |
| æććèŽą GĆng xÇ fÄ cĂĄi | Wishing you happiness and prosperity |
| æèŽșæ°çŠ§ GĆng hĂš xÄ«n xÇ | Good luck in the upcoming year |
| äžäșćŠæ WĂ n shĂŹ rĂș yĂŹ | May everything go as you wish |
2. Family & Togetherness
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ćčŽćčŽæäœ NiĂĄn niĂĄn yÇu yĂș | Year after year of abundance |
| äșçŠäžŽéš WÇ fĂș lĂn mĂ©n | May the Five Blessings arrive at your home |
| 性ćć€§ć© DĂ jĂ dĂ lĂŹ | Big luck and great profit |
3. Wealth and Business Prosperity
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| èŽąæșæ»æ» CĂĄi yuĂĄn gÇn gÇn | May wealth keep flowing in |
| 性ć±ćźćŸ dĂ zhÇn hĂłng tĂč | Wishing for your business to flourish |
4. Career and Professional Success
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| æ„æ„é«ć bĂč bĂč gÄo shÄng | To rise continually, in the context of promotion in oneâs career |
| äșäžææ ShĂŹ yĂš yÇu chĂ©ng | May you have great success in your career. |
| æèŽąèżćź zhÄo cĂĄi jĂŹn bÇo | Ushering in lots of wealth and prosperity |
5. Academic Achievements
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ćŠäžèżæ„ XuĂ©yĂš jĂŹnbĂč | May your studies progress smoothly. |
| ćŠæææ XuĂ© yÇu suÇ chĂ©ng | May you achieve great accomplishments in your studies. |
6. Health Regards
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| èș«äœć„ćș· ShÄn tÇ jiĂ n kÄng | Wishing you good health (very common, especially for elders). |
| ç„æšć„ćș·éżćŻż ZhĂč nĂn jiĂ n kÄng chĂĄng shĂČu | Wishing you health and longevity. |
7. Love, Marriage & Newlyweds
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ćżćżçžć° xÄ«n xÄ«n xiÄng yĂŹn | To be closely attached and emotionally connected to each other |
| æćè±ć„œ yuĂš yuĂĄn huÄ hÇo | Wishing couples perfect happiness and blissful harmony |
| æ°žç»ććż yÇng jiĂ© tĂłng xÄ«n | Wishing newlyweds to stay together forever, and to be always devoted to each other |
| çŸćčŽć„œć bÇi niĂĄn hÇo hĂ© | A happy and harmonious marriage for a hundred years or a lifetime |
8. Zodiac-Year
| Greeting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| é©ŹćčŽćż«äč MÇ niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂš | Happy Year of the Horse |
These are some of the variations you can use when expressing yourself to those around you. You donât need to memorise them all â simply save this article and refer back to it whenever you need đ
You can make your expressions more personal by adding words related to studies or career. Likewise, if you have a friend aiming for a promotion, you can stack a specific one on top of a general one, for example:
GĆng xÇ fÄ cĂĄi, bĂč bĂč gÄo shÄng
(Wishing you prosperity and steady career growth)
Modern and Creative Chinese New Year Wishes
æ„èćż«äč - chĆ«n jiĂ© kuĂ i lĂš (Happy Spring Festival)
Here, again, we have a song, though it's perhaps a bit outdated. Also, it's more for children, something you might hear in kindergarten classes. Sing æ„èć°äșïŒæ„èć°äș (chĆ«n jiĂ© dĂ o le) to 'Are you Sleeping?'
This is a common expression used in Mainland China. æ„èćż«äč (ChĆ«n JiĂ© KuĂ i LĂš) means âHappy Spring Festivalâ and is used throughout the 15-day festival period, from the first day until the Lantern Festival. Itâs often used in formal or polite settings, such as at work or in writing, while in casual conversation, most locals prefer a shorter, more informal expression.
You can wish your mates æ„èć„œ - chĆ«n jiĂ© hÇo. This is a more casual version. Do not greet your elders, teachers or shopkeepers in that manner, though.
It would be very rude!
We can go further, to say that Spring Festival practices and superstitions abound. Learn what you can say and do, and words you must never speak during these celebrations.
2. 性ćć€§ć© - dĂ jĂ dĂ lĂŹ (Boundless luck and fortune)
This form of Happy New Year in Mandarin is more of a rallying cry than a well-wishing. It means "Big luck and big profit!" Those are sentiments typically aimed at anyone trying to advance in their work.
In China, it's common to offer toasts, blessings and well-wishes throughout the meal.
Imagine a team dinner in a fine restaurant, ahead of the Spring Festival break. The employees might toast their boss with this greeting, and then clink their glasses together before drinking.
Just remember to keep the rim of your glass below your boss's! A glass at the same height (or higher) means you see yourself on the same level, or better. The same etiquette applies to toasts among elders; ensure to keep your glass rim lower than theirs.
3. ćčŽćčŽæäœ - niĂĄn niĂĄn yÇu yĂș (Abundance year after year)
Who wouldn't want "Continuous blessings and abundance"? That's exactly what this phrase means. You may direct it to practically anyone, except children, of course.
It's especially suitable for newlyweds celebrating their first festival together. Or, if you just started a new job, your colleagues and new boss would thrill to hear this from you.
Do you have an uncle who just launched themselves into business? You know what to say!
4. èŽąæșæ»æ» - cĂĄi yuĂĄn gÇn gÇn (May wealth pour in continuously)
Following up on the above sentiment, you can express your hope for abundance to continue flowing.
In Mandarin, doubling particles adds emphasis and conveys sincerity.
This phrase, literally translated, says "Wealth (financial resources) roll-roll.
By now, you might have noticed that many festival expressions invoke wealth, prosperity, and well-being.
Focusing on specific expressions of goodwill is one of the aspects of the festival that makes this celebration feel personal.
5. äșçŠäžŽéš - wÇ fĂș lĂn mĂ©n (May the five blessings arrive at your home)
For festival expressions with a classic vibe, deliver "Five blessings at your gate". Or, as it is more commonly translated: "May the Five Blessings reach you".
It's the perfect expression for any elder or a high-ranking official.
Wealth, Health, Virtue, Longevity, Natural Death
In Western cultures, it seems morbid to wish anyone any type of death, particularly during a celebration. However, traditional Chinese culture accepts death as a fact of life. Therefore, wishing someone a peaceful, natural death respects the culture and the person.
6. æèŽșæ°çŠ§ - gĆng hĂš xÄ«n xÇ (Good luck in the upcoming year)
When someone is about to face a challenging ordeal, wishing them "All the best in the upcoming year" is the most appropriate festival expression.
Students preparing for their university entrance exam (é«è - gÄo kÄo) need this kind of support.
It's also ideal for someone starting a company or a new position. Remember that it's a bit generic; speaking it on its own could land flat. You should personalise the expression with "On the occasion of your (ordeal), good luck." (äžșäœ ç ... æèŽșæ°çŠ§)
7. äžäșćŠæ - wĂ n shĂŹ rĂș yĂŹ (May all go well)
This is how to wish someone a happy Chinese New Year if you're not particularly invested in them. Or, if they admit to a difficulty ahead. Saying "May all go well" is rather non-committal.
This is a versatile expression, appropriate for acquaintances and those you donât know well.
Chinese singles wishing to remain unattached will hire a boyfriend or girlfriend for the holiday.
This is one of the most interesting CNY phenomena I discovered whilst living there. Traditional Chinese culture insists on marriage and family. Today's young adults aren't necessarily so keen on that idea.
So, instead of the whole family harping at them over their woeful single status throughout the visit, they hire a partner. This temporary fiancé(e) will subject themselves to all the prospective in-law scrutiny a genuine lover would. With that in mind, wishing them "May all go well" is reasonable.
8. éŁé»è ŸèŸŸ - fÄi huĂĄng tĂ©ng dĂĄ (May you rise rapidly in career)
When sharing festival messages in English, "All the best for quick career growth" might not be the first thing that strikes you. However, it's a very common expression, directed at young professionals and students about to begin their work journey.
Other festival expressions along these lines include:
- ćčłæ„éäș (pĂng bĂč qÄ«ng yĂșn) - May your rise be meteoric
- ććźćèŽą (shÄng guÄn fÄ cĂĄi) - Promotions and prosperity.
- èžèžæ„äž (zhÄng zhÄng rĂŹ shĂ ng) - May your business grow daily
- äșäžææ (shĂŹ yĂš yÇu chĂ©ng) - Remarkable success in your career
- é©Źć°æć (mÇ dĂ o chĂ©ng gĆng) - May you have remarkable success
Remember that, in Chinese culture, wealth, prosperity, and success are the best things you can wish on others. It's not a matter of greed, but a sincere desire for everyone to do well.
9. äșäžć蟟 - shĂŹ yĂš fÄ dĂĄ (Career development & prosperity)
This expression is in line with the ones above. It means "May your career take off". This one, too, is for young professionals, folks just starting their careers, and students about to enter the workforce.
Hard work is central to the community. Working hard and striving for success underpins all the hopes parents send their children into the world with. So, offering these young ones encouragement also supports the familyâs aspirations.
10. ćșć „ćčłćź - chĆ« rĂč pĂng Än (Safety wherever you go)
"Peace and safety, coming and going": this is a festival expression the whole world can get behind!
It's particularly apt as a Spring Festival greeting, because of all the travelling individuals do around that time.
China's Spring Festival celebration marks the world's largest annual human migration.
That's when folks take to the roads, rails and skies to return to their homesteads and villages. After the festivities, migrant workers, university students, and entrepreneurs will return to the cities. For these travellers, "Peace and safety, coming and going" is the perfect expression.
Some of these expressions might be more common in Mainland China than in Malaysia, but itâs really handy to know a few extra lines you can pull out whenever the occasion calls for it!
How to Deliver Chinese New Year Wishes
You can stick to the English version if you feel like you donât have the confidence to use regional dialect expressions. Here are some variations, so that you donât sound boring:
- "Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Horse filled with good fortune, health, and happiness".
- "May the Year of the Horse bring you wisdom, strength, and success in all your endeavours".
- "Happy New Year! May the Horse's energy inspire you to achieve your dreams and bring you joy throughout the year".
- "Gallop into the Year of the Horse with courage and confidence".
- "May this Lunar New Year be as spirited and vibrant as the Year of the Horse itself".
For those who want to take it up a notch, you can combine a general expression with a more specific one from this article, like this:
Happy New Year
æ°ćčŽćż«äč â XÄ«n niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂš
âAbundant blessings in the Year of the Horseâ
é©ŹćčŽć€§ć â MÇ niĂĄn dĂ jĂ
Now your expressions wonât sound generic and will show a little extra thought and care for the person.
Tips for Personalisation
- Mention the positive things: The Year of the Horse is associated with strength, freedom, vitality, perseverance and passion. It symbolises energy, movement, and independence.
- Be sincere: The most important part of any festival expression is the sincerity behind the words.
In Person: Tips on Proper Etiquette When Greeting Elders and Peers
If you were invited to an open house and you have no idea how to greet elders and others in the house without offending anyone or making mistakes, hereâs what you need to keep in mind:
When visiting a friendâs house, don't forget to greet everyone in the family as a sign of respect. Here, you donât have to customise for everyone, unless you know them. Just wish a simple âXÄ«n niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂšâ would do.
Keep it polite and warm.
A slight bow, a smile, or offering both hands when receiving red packets (ang pao) shows courtesy and sincerity. Itâs not guaranteed that youâll get one, but you can definitely look forward to being treated to a delicious feast!
For elders, focus on well-being, peace, and longevity. For peers, you can include encouragement for career growth or achievement. If you feel confident, go ahead and try them. If not, sticking to a simple âXÄ«n niĂĄn kuĂ i lĂšâ works perfectly.
Skip questions about marriage, salary, or career pressure â keep the moment joyful and light. Donât be a party-pooper!
Through Digital Means: Sending New Year Wishes via Text and Social Media
- Keep them short and sincere
A simple message with a meaningful wish works best, especially on WhatsApp or SMS. For example,
âHappy Lunar New Year. May this new year bring abundance, health and prosperity to you and your loved ones!â
- Personalise when possible
Simply add a line related to the recipient â studies for students, career or health wishes for loved ones, close colleagues or anyone else. - Customise them based on the platforms.
Text/WhatsApp: For loved ones and close colleagues
Email: Customers, clients, or work contacts.
Social Media: Followers, friends and family - Send them on New Yearâs Eve or the first day for the most impact.
For social media/WhatsApp, pairing a thoughtful caption with a royalty-free image is more than enough to show your care and effort.
There you have it! As promised, here's the curated list of CNY wishes you can share with loved ones, relatives, colleagues, clients and anyone who's celebrating. With these options, you're no longer limited to the same old phrases; you can personalise your expressions and make them more thoughtful and sincere.
Now, discover the famous CNY foods and the stories behind them.
The purpose of a fresh year is not only to have a fresh year. We need to have a new soul.
Gilbert K. Chesterton
References
- World Population Review. (2026, January 19). Countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/what-countries-celebrate-the-lunar-new-year
- Visit Malaysia. (n.d.). https://rai.malaysia.gov.my/visit
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