A look into Chinese New Year

greetings & their meanings

BY GRACE CHONG8 FEBRUARY 2021

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Header image courtesy of Lao Ma (via Shutterstock)

We’ve all been there—surrounded by aunties and uncles, all eyes trained on you as you stand in front of a set

of beckoning red packets. All that stands between you and a little extra pocket money are a few phrases, a few

Chinese New Year well-wishes, and you’re set! But in that moment, dressed in your new outfit, fingers and

Chinese New Year may be a time to spend with family, but we should share the festivities and good-will with

from your parents to security guards.

新年快樂 Pronunciation: San1 nin4 faai3 lok6; xīn nián kuài lè Meaning: Happy new year!

牛年大 Pronunciation: Ngau4 nin4 daai6 gat1; niú nián dà jí Meaning: Happy new year of the Ox!

萬事如意 Pronunciation: Maan6 si6 jyu4 ji3; wàn shì rú yì Meaning: May everything go as you hope!

吉祥如意 Pronunciation: Gat1 coeng4 jyu4 yi3; jí xiáng rú yì Meaning: I wish you good fortune on all

After a year of face masks and hand sanitisers, it’s no surprise that we’re all looking for a breakthrough in

Covid-19 news. Together, we can fight the virus, starting with some Chinese New Year greetings focused

around health and well-being. Hopefully, this year will bring us only health and happiness!

身體健康 Pronunciation: San1 tai2 gin6 hong1; shēn tǐ jiàn kāng Meaning: May you have good health!

竹報平安 Pronunciation: Zuk1 bou3 ping4 on1; zhú bào píng ān Meaning: May you only hear good

and peaceful news.

Fun fact: The purpose of lighting firecrackers during Chinese New Year is to announce that the family is well

and no tragic incident had befallen them during the past year. They were also lit to scare off demons and evil

spirits at the start of the year. The modern firecracker is constructed of paper, but originally, they were made of

bamboo (竹; zuk1). As such, this Chinese New Year greeting literally translates into ”Bamboo reporting peace!”

一帆風順 Pronunciation: Jat1 faan4 fung1 seon6; yī fān fēng shun Meaning: May you have smooth sailing

and peace wherever you go.

Family

prosperous affairs“—fully encapsulates the value of the family unit in Chinese culture. During the Chinese New

Year season, it’s not uncommon to bestow words of well-wishing on someone’s entire family as part of your

exchange. Here are some family-friendly Chinese New Year greetings!

闔家歡樂 Pronunciation: Hap6 gaa1 fun1 lok6; hé jiā huān lè Meaning: Happiness and joy for the

笑口常開 Pronunciation: Siu3 hau2 soeng4 hoi1; xiào kǒu cháng kāi Meaning: May your year be filled

with laughter and smiles!

saying mentioned here. Its tones match up with traditional Chinese New Year dining, too, as families often eat

haa1), which is the Chinese equivalent of “Haha!”

家肥屋潤 Pronunciation: Gaa1 fei4 uk1 jeon6; jiā féi wū rùn Meaning: May your family be

prosperous!

Fun fact: The literal translation of this Chinese New Year greeting is “Family fat, house moist.”

BY LOCALIIZ24 JANUARY 2020

The concept of filial piety, or respect for elders, is taught to children from a young age, so it should be no

surprise that there are specific Chinese New Year greetings frequently used to wish our grandmas and

prosperous life (as the Zhongnan Mountains).

naam4 saan1). The first half of the couplet means, “May your happiness and luck be as vast as the East China

couplet to say to the elderly, especially at birthdays.

福壽雙全 Pronunciation: Fuk1 sau6 soeng1 cyun4; fú shòu shuāng quán Meaning: May you enjoy both

longevity and good fortune.

身壯力健 Pronunciation: San1 zong3 lik6 gin6; shēn zhuàng lì jiàn Meaning: May you be healthy and

strong.

marks in your examinations.

Fun fact: The imperial examination was the civil servant entry examination system, and only the best and

emperor. This accomplishment brought great honour and status to their families and has become a saying for

students today.

學業有成 Pronunciation: Hok6 yip6 jau5 sing4; xué yè yǒu chéng Meaning: May you have academic

success and achievements.

鵬程萬裡 Pronunciation: Paang4 xing4 maan6 lei5; péng chéng wàn l Meaning: May your future

prospects be bright and brilliant.

in altitude, and create waves that would rise up to 3,000 miles with a flap of its wings. This saying compares the

future prospects of the recipient with the prowess of the bird.

Businesses & work

Hong Kong is known as a hub for innovation and opportunities, and in a city of the hustle economy, we could all

use some extra luck in our workplace and career this year! Here are some Chinese New Year greetings for

professional success.

年年有餘 Pronunciation: Nin4 nin4 jau5 jyu4; nián nián yǒu yú Meaning: I wish you an

abundance/surplus year after year.

“fish.” As such, certain regions of China will fry two fishes before the new year, keep it in the fridge until after

the new year before consuming, in a symbolic act of hoping the year provides a surplus of income and wealth.

招財進寶 Pronunciation: Ziu1 coi4 zeon3 bou2; zhāo cái jìn bǎo Meaning: May wealth and prosperity

be ushered in.

生意興隆 Pronunciation: Saang1 yi3 hing1 lung4; shēng yì xīng long Meaning: I hope your business

thrives and is prosperous