How to Say “Happy New Year” in Chinese
Greetings and politeness · HSK 2
"Happy New Year" in Chinese is 新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè). 新年快乐 works for both January 1st and Chinese New Year (春节 Chūn jié), but context matters; between January and February, assume people mean the lunar new year. During Spring Festival, you'll hear 恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái, 'wishing you wealth') far more often, especially from Cantonese speakers and in Hong Kong.
Primary translation
新年快乐
Xīn nián kuài lè
Traditional: 新年快樂
When to use it
新年快乐 works for both January 1st and Chinese New Year (春节 Chūn jié), but context matters; between January and February, assume people mean the lunar new year. During Spring Festival, you'll hear 恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái, 'wishing you wealth') far more often, especially from Cantonese speakers and in Hong Kong. On WeChat, people spam this phrase with red packet stickers. Taiwan uses 新年快樂 for January 1st and 春節快樂 for lunar new year.
Example sentences
祝你新年快乐，万事如意！
Zhù nǐ xīn nián kuài lè, wàn shì rú yì!
Wishing you a Happy New Year and that everything goes your way!
新年快乐！红包拿来！
Xīn nián kuài lè! Hóng bāo ná lái!
Happy New Year! Hand over the red envelope!
提前祝大家新年快乐。
Tí qián zhù dà jiā xīn nián kuài lè.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance.