Chinese New Year Wishes in Mandarin: For Family, Friends, Work

The standard Chinese New Year greeting is 新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè, “Happy New Year”). The classic follow-up is 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái, “wishing you prosperity”). The best wishes, though, depend on who you’re talking to: elders get wishes for health, colleagues get wishes for work, and children get wishes for their studies.

The next Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027, the start of the Year of the Goat (羊年, yáng nián).

The greetings everyone uses

• 新年快乐！ — xīnnián kuàilè! — “Happy New Year!”
• 春节快乐！ — Chūnjié kuàilè! — “Happy Spring Festival!”
• 恭喜发财！ — gōngxǐ fācái! — “Wishing you prosperity!” You’ll often hear it followed by a joking 红包拿来！ (hóngbāo ná lái!, “Now hand over the red envelope!”).
• 过年好！ — guònián hǎo! — a warm, informal “Happy New Year!” common in northern China.

Tone tip: in kuàilè both syllables fall. Many learners make the second one rise, which makes it sound like a question.

For parents and elders

• 身体健康！ — shēntǐ jiànkāng! — “Good health!” The most important wish for older relatives.
• 万事如意！ — wànshì rúyì! — “May everything go as you wish!”
• 福如东海，寿比南山。 — fú rú Dōng Hǎi, shòu bǐ Nán Shān — “Fortune as vast as the East Sea, a life as long as the Southern Mountain.” A formal wish, usually for grandparents or older family.
• 祝您新年快乐，身体健康！ — zhù nín xīnnián kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng! — “Wishing you a happy New Year and good health!” Note the respectful 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ).

For friends

• 新的一年，心想事成！ — xīn de yì nián, xīn xiǎng shì chéng! — “In the new year, may your wishes come true!”
• 年年有余！ — niánnián yǒu yú! — “May you have abundance every year!” Yú (余, surplus) sounds like yú (鱼, fish), which is why fish is served at New Year.
• 羊年快乐！ — yángnián kuàilè! — “Happy Year of the Goat!”
• 羊年大吉！ — yángnián dàjí! — “Good fortune in the Year of the Goat!”

For colleagues and clients

• 工作顺利！ — gōngzuò shùnlì! — “May your work go smoothly!”
• 事业有成！ — shìyè yǒu chéng! — “Success in your career!”
• 生意兴隆！ — shēngyi xīnglóng! — “May your business flourish!” Great for clients and business owners.
• 祝您和家人新年快乐！ — zhù nín hé jiārén xīnnián kuàilè! — “Happy New Year to you and your family!”

For children and students

• 学业进步！ — xuéyè jìnbù! — “Progress in your studies!”
• 快高长大！ — kuài gāo zhǎng dà! — “Grow up tall and strong!” Common in southern China.
• 天天开心！ — tiāntiān kāixīn! — “Be happy every day!”

Red envelopes (红包)

Married adults traditionally give 红包 (hóngbāo) — red envelopes with money — to children and unmarried younger relatives. Avoid amounts containing the number 4 (四, sì), which sounds like “death” (死, sǐ). Even amounts and 8s are considered lucky.

A short line to write on the envelope or say as you give it:

• 新年快乐，健康成长！ — xīnnián kuàilè, jiànkāng chéngzhǎng! — “Happy New Year, grow up healthy!”

Today many people also send digital red envelopes through WeChat.

Visiting family: 拜年

Visiting relatives during the holiday is called 拜年 (bàinián). When you arrive, greet the eldest first with 过年好 or 新年快乐, and bring a small gift such as fruit or tea.

FAQ

How do you say Happy Chinese New Year in Mandarin? 新年快乐 — xīnnián kuàilè — or 春节快乐 — Chūnjié kuàilè.

What does “gōngxǐ fācái” mean? 恭喜发财 means “wishing you prosperity.” It’s one of the most common New Year greetings.

What should I say to elders at Chinese New Year? Wish them good health: 身体健康 — shēntǐ jiànkāng — and use the polite 您 (nín).

When is the next Chinese New Year? 6 February 2027, the start of the Year of the Goat.

What is a good Chinese New Year wish for colleagues? 工作顺利 — gōngzuò shùnlì (“may your work go smoothly”) — or 事业有成 — shìyè yǒu chéng.

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Want your New Year wishes to sound natural? Meilin explains each phrase in your language and gives you the characters, pinyin and the tone to watch.