How to Say “Merry Christmas” in Chinese
Greetings and politeness · HSK 3
"Merry Christmas" in Chinese is 圣诞节快乐 (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè). 圣诞节 literally means 'holy birth festival.' Christmas isn't a public holiday in Mainland China, but it's hugely popular among young urbanites as a 'couples' holiday'; malls decorate, restaurants do Christmas Eve (平安夜, Píng'ān yè) dinner specials, and people exchange apples wrapped in cellophane because 苹果 (píngguǒ, apple) puns with 平安 (píng'ān, peace).
Primary translation
圣诞节快乐
Shèngdàn jié kuàilè
Traditional: 聖誕節快樂
When to use it
圣诞节 literally means 'holy birth festival.' Christmas isn't a public holiday in Mainland China, but it's hugely popular among young urbanites as a 'couples' holiday'; malls decorate, restaurants do Christmas Eve (平安夜, Píng'ān yè) dinner specials, and people exchange apples wrapped in cellophane because 苹果 (píngguǒ, apple) puns with 平安 (píng'ān, peace). In Taiwan and Hong Kong it's more religiously observed. The 快乐 (happy) construction works for most holidays: 新年快乐, 生日快乐, 圣诞快乐.
Example sentences
圣诞节快乐！这是给你的礼物。
Shèngdàn jié kuàilè! Zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐwù.
Merry Christmas! This is a gift for you.
平安夜你有什么计划？
Píng'ān yè nǐ yǒu shénme jìhuà?
What are your plans for Christmas Eve?
祝你圣诞快乐，新年快乐！
Zhù nǐ shèngdàn kuàilè, xīnnián kuàilè!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!