Chinese New Year Greetings, Wishes & Sayings (2025)
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in the world. In 2025, the Chinese New Year will fall on February 17, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac. This vibrant holiday is not just about fireworks, food, and family gatherings—it’s also about exchanging heartfelt wishes and blessings for the year ahead.
If you’re looking to send your well-wishes for this auspicious occasion, or want to learn more about the traditions of Chinese New Year greetings, this blog post will guide you through some of the most common and meaningful Chinese New Year greetings, wishes, and sayings to use in 2025.
1. “新春快乐 (Xīnchūn kuàilè)” – Happy New Year
A simple yet widely used greeting, “Xīnchūn kuàilè” translates directly to “Happy New Year” and is perfect for the occasion. It’s a cheerful and warm greeting you can use for anyone, whether friends, family, or acquaintances. It’s a great way to start the year off with positivity and joy.
2. “恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái)” – Wishing You Prosperity
This is one of the most popular Chinese New Year greetings. “Gōngxǐ fācái” literally means “congratulations and be prosperous.” It’s often exchanged among loved ones, and is a wish for wealth, success, and prosperity in the year to come. The phrase is typically accompanied by a gesture of cupping one’s hands together as if offering a gift.
3. “万事如意 (Wànshì rúyì)” – May Everything Go as You Wish
“Wànshì rúyì” is another lovely phrase that translates to “May everything go according to your wishes.” It’s an expression of goodwill and a hope that the recipient will experience a smooth, successful year. Whether it’s for work, relationships, or personal growth, this wish conveys a sense of well-wishing for every aspect of life.
4. “身体健康 (Shēntǐ jiànkāng)” – Good Health
In Chinese culture, health is of utmost importance, and this greeting conveys your wishes for the recipient’s well-being. “Shēntǐ jiànkāng” translates to “Good health.” During Chinese New Year, it’s common to wish others longevity and vitality, as it’s believed that good health lays the foundation for a successful and happy year.
5. “年年有余 (Nián nián yǒu yú)” – Surplus Every Year
“Nián nián yǒu yú” is a traditional phrase that carries a deep meaning. It translates to “May you have surplus every year.” The word “yú” (余) also sounds like “fish,” which is a symbol of abundance in Chinese culture. People often wish this greeting during the New Year as it symbolizes a wish for continued prosperity and the idea of always having more than enough.
6. “大吉大利 (Dàjí dàlì)” – Great Luck and Great Profit
This phrase is a common wish for success and good fortune. “Dàjí dàlì” translates to “Great luck and great profit.” It is a greeting that expresses a wish for success in both personal endeavors and financial matters. It is often used among business partners or colleagues to wish for success in professional life.
7. “步步高升 (Bùbù gāoshēng)” – May You Rise Higher Every Step
For those who are hoping for career advancement or personal growth, “Bùbù gāoshēng” is the perfect Chinese New Year greeting. This phrase translates to “May you rise higher every step.” It is often used when wishing someone success in their career or academic pursuits. The phrase conveys hope for constant progress and promotion in the year ahead.
8. “福星高照 (Fúxīng gāo zhào)” – May the Lucky Star Shine Upon You
“Fúxīng gāo zhào” is a wish for good luck and fortune in the coming year. The phrase refers to the “lucky star” (福星), which is believed to bring blessings and happiness. It’s a way of wishing that luck will follow the recipient throughout the year, bringing them good fortune and protection.
9. “吉祥如意 (Jíxiáng rúyì)” – Auspicious and As You Wish
“Jíxiáng rúyì” is a beautiful and meaningful phrase that translates to “Auspicious and as you wish.” The word “jíxiáng” refers to auspiciousness or good fortune, while “rúyì” signifies that things will go according to your desires. It’s a classic New Year greeting that expresses a wish for everything to go smoothly and for all the recipient’s dreams to come true.
10. “财源广进 (Cáiyuán guǎng jìn)” – May Wealth Flow In
If you’re wishing someone prosperity, this is a perfect greeting. “Cáiyuán guǎng jìn” translates to “May wealth flow in.” It’s commonly used in business contexts, as it’s a blessing for financial success and the growth of one’s wealth throughout the year. It is especially common to see on red envelopes (红包), which are given as gifts during the New Year.
11. “天天开心 (Tiāntiān kāixīn)” – May You Be Happy Every Day
“Tiāntiān kāixīn” is a lovely and simple phrase meaning “May you be happy every day.” While Chinese New Year is often associated with wealth and success, this greeting focuses on personal happiness. It’s a warm and thoughtful way to wish someone joy and contentment throughout the year.
12. “合家欢乐 (Héjiā huānlè)” – Family Happiness
Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, and this phrase is often shared to express good wishes for family harmony and joy. “Héjiā huānlè” means “Family happiness.” It conveys a hope that all family members will experience joy, love, and peace in the year to come.
As we approach Chinese New Year 2025, it’s the perfect time to send heartfelt wishes and blessings to those around you. Whether you’re wishing prosperity, health, or happiness, the Chinese New Year greetings and sayings are rich with cultural significance. By using these phrases, you can share in the joy and good fortune of this ancient and beautiful tradition. May the Year of the Snake bring you and your loved ones an abundance of happiness, success, and prosperity!
