Happy New Year in Chinese: How to Say, Write & Wish in 2026

Happy New Year in Chinese: How to Say, Write and Wish in 2026

Happy New Year in Chinese is "新年快乐" (Xīnnián Kuàilè), which translates to "New Year happiness." This is the most common Chinese New Year greeting used across Mandarin-speaking communities during the Lunar New Year and the Gregorian New Year.

In the Year of the Horse 2026, saying Happy New Year in Chinese carries extra significance as families and friends gather to celebrate with traditional customs, red envelopes and festive feasts. Whether you say Xīnnián Kuàilè in Mandarin or Sān Nīn Fāai Lōk in Cantonese, the warm sentiment of wishing joy and prosperity remains the same.

This guide covers how to say, write and pronounce Happy New Year in Chinese, along with 50+ greetings you can use for family, friends and colleagues.

How to Say Happy New Year in Chinese

There are three common ways to wish someone a Happy New Year in Chinese, depending on dialect and formality:

Mandarin vs Cantonese Pronunciation

How to Write Happy New Year in Chinese Characters

The phrase 新年快乐 (Xīnnián Kuàilè) is written with four Chinese characters. Here is what each one means:

In simplified Chinese (used in mainland China and Singapore), write: 新年快乐. In traditional Chinese (used in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), write: 新年快樂.

Tip: When writing this greeting on cards or banners, use red paper with gold ink for an authentic, festive look.

Xīnnián Kuàilè vs Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái: What Is the Difference?

Both phrases are used during Chinese New Year, but they carry different meanings:

Many people use both phrases together: “Xīnnián Kuàilè! Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!” for a complete New Year greeting that wishes both happiness and prosperity.

For more prosperity-focused phrases, explore our complete guide to Chinese New Year wishes.

50+ Happy New Year Wishes in Chinese (With English Translations)

General New Year Wishes

1. 新年快乐！愿你2026年充满欢乐和幸福！ – Happy New Year! May your 2026 be filled with joy and happiness!
2. 祝您新年愉快，吉祥如意！ – Wishing you a joyful New Year filled with prosperity!
3. 新年到了，祝您好运连连！ – The New Year is here; wishing you continuous good luck!
4. 2026年新年快乐！愿一切美好如约而至！ – Happy New Year 2026! May all good things come as promised!
5. 祝您新年幸福安康，家庭和睦！ – Wishing you happiness, health and family harmony!
6. 新年快乐，愿幸福美满永伴您左右！ – Happy New Year! May joy and happiness always be with you!
7. 新的一年，愿您心想事成，万事如意！ – May all your wishes come true and everything go smoothly!
8. 新年新气象，愿您天天好心情！ – New Year, new beginnings! Wishing you good cheer every day!
9. 2026年，祝您美梦成真！ – In 2026, may all your dreams come true!
10. 愿新年带给您幸福和希望！ – May the New Year bring you happiness and hope!

Prosperity and Wealth Wishes (恭喜发财)

11. 恭喜发财，财源广进！ – Wishing you wealth and abundant resources!
12. 祝您新年发大财，事业更辉煌！ – May you gain great fortune and a thriving career!
13. 财运亨通，2026年大发利市！ – Wishing you great luck and profits in 2026!
14. 新年吉祥，祝您财源滚滚！ – May good fortune and wealth keep coming!
15. 愿您2026年生意兴隆，财运旺盛！ – May your business flourish and wealth abound in 2026!
16. 恭喜发财，愿您红红火火！ – Wishing you prosperity and great success!
17. 新年快乐，愿您财运连连，事业腾飞！ – Happy New Year! May wealth and success soar for you!
18. 祝您金玉满堂，幸福无疆！ – Wishing you a wealth of gold and jade and boundless happiness!
19. 恭喜发财，愿您今年事业大展宏图！ – Wishing you great success in your career this year!
20. 愿您新年财运顺畅，福运连连！ – May your wealth flow smoothly and blessings be endless!

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Health and Peace Wishes (健康平安)

21. 祝您健康平安，新年快乐！ – Wishing you health, peace and a Happy New Year!
22. 愿新年带给您幸福和健康！ – May the New Year bring you happiness and health!
23. 新年到来，愿您健康长寿！ – With the New Year here, I wish you health and long life!
24. 祝您新年身体健康，万事如意！ – Wishing you good health and smooth success in everything!
25. 愿您新年平安无恙！ – Wishing you a safe and sound New Year!
26. 祝您家庭幸福，身体健康！ – Wishing your family happiness and good health!
27. 2026年，愿您生活幸福平安！ – In 2026, may you have a happy and peaceful life!
28. 新年快乐，愿您健康常伴！ – Happy New Year! May health always be with you!
29. 祝您身体健康，幸福美满！ – Wishing you good health and great happiness!
30. 愿您在新年里幸福安康！ – May the New Year bring you happiness and well-being!

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Success and Achievement Wishes (功成名就)

31. 新年祝您事业有成！ – Wishing you success in your career in the New Year!
32. 愿2026年您的事业蒸蒸日上！ – May your career flourish in 2026!
33. 祝您新年大展宏图！ – Wishing you great achievements in the New Year!
34. 愿您步步高升，新年快乐！ – Wishing you continuous success and a Happy New Year!
35. 2026年祝您前程似锦！ – In 2026, may you have a bright future!
36. 愿您在新年里功成名就！ – May you achieve fame and success in the New Year!
37. 祝您2026年事业辉煌！ – Wishing you a brilliant career in 2026!
38. 新年快乐，祝您宏图大展！ – Happy New Year, and may you achieve grand plans!
39. 祝您2026年硕果累累！ – Wishing you abundant success in 2026!
40. 愿您新年顺利，事业有成！ – Wishing you smooth success in your career this New Year!

Auspicious Wishes (吉祥如意)

41. 愿您新年吉祥如意！ – May you have a New Year of luck and fulfillment!
42. 祝您新年好运连连！ – Wishing you continuous good luck in the New Year!
43. 愿2026年充满吉祥如意！ – May 2026 be filled with luck and fortune!
44. 祝您在新年吉祥如意！ – Wishing you luck and prosperity in the New Year!
45. 新年快乐，愿您诸事如意！ – Happy New Year! May all things go well for you!
46. 祝您2026年好运连连！ – Wishing you continuous good fortune in 2026!
47. 新年吉祥，愿您心想事成！ – A lucky New Year to you—may all your wishes come true!
48. 愿您新年平安顺遂！ – Wishing you peace and smooth success in the New Year!
49. 新年祝您好运如潮！ – Wishing you good luck as constant as the tides in the New Year!
50. 愿2026年吉祥如意！ – Wishing you an auspicious and successful 2026!

Cultural Insights

Celebrating the Lunar New Year goes beyond just exchanging greetings. The Spring Festival (春节, Chūn Jié) marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle and symbolizes fresh starts, family reunions, and prosperity.

In Chinese culture, certain numbers and colors carry special significance. Red symbolizes good luck, which is why red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo) with money are given during celebrations. The number 8 (八, bā) is considered especially lucky because it sounds like the word for wealth (发, fā).

Traditions include thorough house cleaning before the New Year, decorating with red lanterns and couplets, preparing reunion dinners (年夜饭, niányèfàn), and setting off fireworks to ward off evil spirits. Many also visit temples, watch lion and dragon dances, and observe customs unique to their region.

Regional Variations in Pronunciation

While Mandarin is the standard, Chinese dialects vary significantly. Here's how "Happy New Year" sounds in different regions:

• Mandarin (普通话) – 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè)
• Cantonese (广东话) – 新年快樂 (San nin faai lok)
• Hokkien/Min Nan (闽南语) – 新年快乐 (Sin nî khoài-lo̍k)
• Hakka (客家话) – 新年快樂 (Sîn-ngien-khoài-lo̍k)
• Shanghainese (上海话) – 新年快乐 (Xin gni khua le)

These regional differences reflect China's linguistic diversity and cultural richness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When wishing someone a Happy New Year in Chinese, avoid these common errors:

• Using 新年快乐 too early – Wait until New Year's Day or after; before that, say 新年好 (Xīnnián hǎo)
• Confusing tones – Chinese is a tonal language; mispronunciation can change meanings entirely
• Writing traditional vs. simplified incorrectly – Know your audience; Mainland China uses simplified (新年快乐), while Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau use traditional (新年快樂)
• Giving inappropriate gifts – Avoid clocks (sounds like "death"), umbrellas (associated with funerals), and white or black items
• Using unlucky numbers – The number 4 (四, sì) sounds like "death" (死, sǐ) and should be avoided

Conclusion

Learning to say Happy New Year in Chinese opens doors to deeper cultural understanding and meaningful connections. Whether you choose 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè), 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái), or any of the other wishes we've explored, your effort to speak Chinese will be genuinely appreciated.

The Lunar New Year celebration is more than just a holiday—it's a time for family reunions, reflection on the past year, and setting intentions for the year ahead. By understanding these greetings and customs, you're not just learning a language; you're embracing centuries of tradition and cultural wisdom.

As we enter the Year of the Snake in 2025, may your greetings bring joy, your words foster connection, and your celebrations be filled with prosperity and happiness. 新年快乐!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What's the difference between 新年快乐 and 春节快乐? – 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) is a general "Happy New Year" greeting, while 春节快乐 (Chūnjié kuàilè) specifically refers to the Spring Festival celebration.
2. Can I say Happy New Year in Chinese on January 1? – Yes, you can use 新年快乐 for both Western and Chinese New Year, though the Lunar New Year celebration is more significant in Chinese culture.
3. How do I respond when someone wishes me a Happy New Year in Chinese? – Simply say 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) back, or 同乐同乐 (Tónglè tónglè), which means "same to you."
4. Is it appropriate to text these greetings, or should they be said in person? – Both are appropriate! Chinese people commonly send New Year wishes via text, WeChat, or social media, though in-person greetings during family gatherings are traditional.
5. What gifts should I give during Chinese New Year? – Popular gifts include red envelopes (红包) with money, fruit baskets (especially oranges symbolizing wealth), tea, and festive sweets. Avoid clocks, shoes, and items in sets of four.