How Do You Say Happy New Year in Chinese (4 Best Ways)

Chinese New Year 2026 is the Year of the Horse, a time for warm wishes across China and overseas. Wondering how to say and write Happy Chinese New Year in authentic ways? This guide shares the some best Mandarin and Cantonese greetings, tailored wishes for 2026, and the correct Chinese characters to send your heartfelt New Year regards perfectly.

Part1. 4 Best Ways to Wish Someone a Happy New Year

Now, let’s explore the four most popular expressions for wishing someone a happy Chinese New Year during the festive season.

1. 新年好(xīn nián hǎo)  – New Year Goodness

• In Mandarin: xīn nián hǎo /sshin-nyen haoww/

• In Cantonese: san nin hou

2. 新年快乐(xīn nián kuài lè) – Happy New Year 

New Year in Chinese’ with the phrase ‘Xin Nian Kuai Le.’ Elevates celebrations with linguistic gems and spreads joy across cultural borders!

Let’s break the phrase down character by character:

• Xin (新) – Meaning “new”
• Nian (年) – Meaning “year”
• Kuai (快) – Meaning “quick/fast.” Used here to mean “happy.”
• Le (乐) – Meaning “happiness” or “joy.”

So the four characters together literally mean “New Year Happiness,” conveying the sentiment of a happy new year.

Cantonese Pronunciation of 新年快乐 – Happy New Year 

In Cantonese, Xin Nian Kuai Le is pronounced ‘Shin-nyen kwai-luh’. Below is the pinyin and pronunciation audio of Happy New Year in Cantonese

Chinese Mandarin Pronunciation of 新年快乐 – Happy New Year 

In Chinese Mandarin, it is ‘Xīn nián kuài lè. Below is the pinyin and pronunciation audio of Happy New Year in Chinese Mandarin.

The phrase “新年快乐” is very versatile. It can be used for the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, and the Solar New Year on January 1st.

3. 春节快乐(chūn jié kuài lè) – Happy Spring Festival 

Immerse in vibrant traditions, dazzling lanterns, and family reunions as China welcomes the spring festival with joy, auspicious customs, and a tapestry of festive delights.

Breaking down the phrase:

• Chūn (春) – Means “spring”
• Jié (节) – Means “festival” or “holiday.”
• Kuài Lè (快乐) – Together means “happiness” or “to wish happiness.”

So “chūn jié kuài lè” directly translates to “Spring Festival Happiness,” or “Happy Spring Festival” in English.

Chinese Mandarin Pronunciation of 春节快乐 – Happy Spring Festival  

With proper tones:

• Chūnjié kuàilè

Cantonese Pronunciation of 春节快乐 – Happy Spring Festival  

In Cantonese, the pronunciation is:

• Chwn-jyey kwai-luh

4. Gong Xi Fa Cai (恭喜发财) – Wishing Wealth and Prosperity 

In regions of Southern China, especially among Cantonese speakers, the New Year greeting “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (恭喜发财) is very popular. This phrase places a strong emphasis on wealth and financial success, as fa cai literally means “to become rich” or “to make a fortune.” Rather than simply wishing happiness, it expresses hopes for prosperity, business success, and increased income in the coming year. For this reason, it is commonly used in commercial settings, among business partners, and when giving red envelopes during Chinese New Year.

Breaking it down:

• Gong xi (恭喜) – Means “congratulations” or “best wishes.”
• Fa Cai (发财) – Means “to become wealthy.”

Join the celebration, sending heartfelt wishes for financial success and good fortune in the Lunar New Year and beyond.

Together, “Gong Xi Fa Cai” conveys well-wishes for achieving prosperity in the year ahead.

• In Mandarin, it is pronounced like this:

• In Cantonese, it is pronounces like this:

The phrase reminds us that Chinese New Year is a time to wish your family and friends good fortune. Whether said in Mandarin or Cantonese, it will bring a smile in return!

Part 2. How to Wish Someone Happy Chinese New Year 2026

2026 is the Lunar Year of the Horse, and Chinese New Year wishes hit different when they’re tailored to the person and festive moment, whether you’re handing a red envelope to elders, chatting with friends over New Year’s hot pot, or messaging business partners. Pair these classic Chinese blessings with a warm tone, and your horse-year regards will feel extra sincere:

• For family elders (grandparents/parents)：马年大吉，身体健康，龙马精神！
• For close friends (festive gatherings)：祝你马年行大运，事事顺意，一路开挂！
• For business partners & coworkers (work greetings/texts)：马年财源广进，事业蒸蒸日上，万事亨通！
• For distant relatives & acquaintances (casual WeChat messages)：新春快乐，马年吉祥，阖家幸福！

Part 3. How to Write ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ in Chinese?

Write in left-to-right order (modern standard for digital/handwritten cards, red envelopes, messages)—the only order you need for daily use!

Step 1: Write 新 (xīn) – New

1. Start with the left radical 亲: dot → horizontal → vertical → horizontal → dot → dot → horizontal → vertical
2. Add the right stroke 斤: horizontal → vertical hook →撇 →捺
3. Key tip: Left narrow, right wide; keep strokes neat and aligned.

Step 2: Write 年 (nián) – Year

1. Horizontal → vertical → horizontal → horizontal → vertical → horizontal
2. Key tip: The top horizontal is short, the middle horizontal is the longest; the final horizontal seals the character.

Step 3: Write 快 (kuài) – Happy/Fast

1. Left radical 忄 (heart radical): dot → dot → vertical (write the two dots slightly slanted)
2. Right part 夬: horizontal → vertical → horizontal fold →撇 →捺
3. Key tip: The heart radical is slim; the right part is bold to balance the character.

Step 4: Write 乐 (lè) – Joy/Happy

1. Vertical fold → vertical → horizontal → left fold hook → horizontal
2. Key tip: The bottom left fold hook is the core stroke—keep it smooth, don’t make the hook too sharp.

Part 4. Other Dialects and Greetings 

China is a vast country with a diversity of languages and cultures. While we have covered Mandarin and Cantonese New Year greetings, there are many other Chinese dialects with their special phrases.

For example, in certain provinces, Minnan, Hakka, and Gan Chinese languages have unique greetings and customs. Overseas Chinese communities blend local languages with Chinese New Year vocabulary.

People often wish for health, happiness, prosperity, or peace in the new year. Regional greetings add beautiful variety, showing the Chinese language and culture’s richness.

Learning a few New Year phrases in dialects beyond Mandarin and Cantonese can make your celebrations even more meaningful.

Part 5. Speaking Properly and Politely 

When offering Chinese New Year well-wishes, there are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind:

• Use proper titles and show respect
• Avoid phrases with negative connotations
• Do not say words that sound like inauspicious terms
• Could you keep it simple and sincere?

Remember, your greeting conveys care for the listener. Taking the time to speak properly and politely makes a good first impression.

Focus on positive phrases that feel authentic. Finding the right sentiment that resonates with you and the listener will go a long way in brightening someone’s new year.

Conclusion 

Whether you say “Xin Nian Kuai Le,” “Sun Nin Fai Lok,” “Gong Xi Fa Cai,” or another New Year greeting, the most important thing is conveying a heartfelt sentiment. Chinese New Year is about connecting with loved ones and looking for better times. Mastering these “How do you say Happy New Year” phrases is a great step toward sharing positive vibes. As we welcome the Year of the Rabbit, may good health, joy, and prosperity find you in the days ahead. If you’d like to learn more information, you can click the link below. WuKong Chinese will continue to accompany you on your learning journey.

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Mao Ying | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree in International Chinese Education from Peking University. Dedicated to the field of Chinese language education, with 7 years of experience as an international Chinese language teacher.