How to Say Happy New Year in Chinese? Learn Greetings, Phrases, Messages

The year 2022 has been a very turbulent one. Finally, Year 2023 is here. Let’s hope this year goes well for all of us.

As we embark on a new year, I wish you all the best for learning Mandarin Chinese.

• Learn Chinese New Year (Eve) Greetings

Further, as the new year starts, it’s important to know how to say Happy New Year in Chinese.

Mandarin Chinese Course

• Level 1 – Chinese Learning Course For Beginners
• Level 2 – Chinese Learning Course For Beginners
• Level 3 – Short Stories: Chinese Learning Course
• Level 4 – Chinese History Learning Course
• Level 5 – Ghost Stories: Chinese Learning Course

Well, China has its own new year, which falls on the 1^st Day of the Lunar Calendar, generally in January or February.

• 农历
• Nóng lì
• The traditional Chinese calendar; the lunar calendar

The English New Year (1^st January) is based on the Gregorian calendar-

• 公历
• Gōng lì
• The Gregorian calendar

Although both English and Chinese New Years are the official holidays in China, their celebrations and significance in Chinese culture are totally different. No surprise, the greetings are very different for the English New Year and the Chinese New Year.

How to say Happy (English) New Year in Chinese?

English New Year’s Day is called Yuan Dan in Chinese.

• 元旦
• Yuán dàn
• New Year’s Day

Happy is called Kuai Le.

• 快乐
• Kuài lè
• Happy; joyful

Happy New Year is called Yuan Dan Kuai Le in Chinese.

• 元旦快乐
• Yuándàn kuàilè
• Happy New Year’s Day

You can also say-

• 你好，2023！
• Nǐ hǎo, 2023
• Hello 2023!

Common Greetings, Phrases, Messages

• 祝你元旦快乐！
• Zhù nǐ yuándàn kuàilè!
• I wish you a happy New Year’s Day!

• 真心的愿你元旦快乐。
• Zhēnxīn de yuàn nǐ yuándàn kuàilè.
• I sincerely wish you a happy New Year’s Day.

How about the Chinese New Year?

How to say Happy (Chinese) New Year in Chinese?

Chinese New Year is called Chun Jie, which literally means “Spring Festival.”

• 春节
• Chūn jié
• The Spring Festival

Happy Chinese New Year is called Chun Jie Kuai Le in Chinese.

Common Greetings, Phrases, Messages

• 新年好。
• Xīnnián hǎo.
• Happy New Year.

• 新年大吉。
• Xīnnián dàjí.
• Wish you good luck in the New Year.

• 预祝春节快乐。
• Yù zhù chūnjié kuàilè.
• I wish you a happy Spring Festival.

• 恭喜发财。
• gōng xǐ fā cái.
• May you be happy and prosperous!

General Greetings, Phrases, Messages

If you want to use just one expression on all types of new year (different countries/cultures), you can say Xin Nian Kual Le.

• 新年
• Xīn nián
• New Year

• 新年快乐。
• Xīn nián kuài lè.
• Happy New Year。

• 祝你新年快乐！
• Zhù nǐ Xīn nián kuàilè!
• I wish you a happy New Year’s Day!