The greetings Chinese families actually use — with meanings, so your message lands with heart, not awkwardness.
Sending a Chinese New Year greeting? The right words matter. A generic "Happy New Year" works, but the classic blessings below carry centuries of goodwill — and sound far more thoughtful. Here are the greetings Chinese people actually write on red envelopes, cards and banners.
| Greeting | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 新年快乐 | xīn nián kuài lè | Happy New Year — the all-purpose greeting. |
| 恭喜发财 | gōng xǐ fā cái | Congratulations and wealth — the classic red-envelope blessing for prosperity. |
| 万事如意 | wàn shì rú yì | May all things go as you wish. |
| 身体健康 | shēn tǐ jiàn kāng | Wishing you good health — the most sincere blessing for elders. |
| 心想事成 | xīn xiǎng shì chéng | May whatever your heart desires come true. |
| 财源广进 | cái yuán guǎng jìn | May wealth flow in from all directions. |
| 步步高升 | bù bù gāo shēng | Rising step by step — for careers and promotions. |
| 阖家欢乐 | hé jiā huān lè | Joy for the whole family. |
| 龙马精神 | lóng mǎ jīng shén | Full of dragon-horse vigor — vibrant energy for the year. |
| 五福临门 | wǔ fú lín mén | May the five blessings arrive at your door — longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful end. |
These symbols carry deep meaning — and look stunning on wallpapers, cards and banners.
福 fú — blessing, often hung upside-down because "upside-down fu" sounds like "fortune arrives" 春 chūn — spring, new beginnings 红灯笼 hóng dēng lóng — red lantern, light and good luck 春联 chūn lián — couplets pasted at doors 红包 hóng bāo — red envelope with money 生肖 shēng xiào — the year's zodiac animal 鱼 yú — surplus and abundance (sounds like "extra") 梅 méi — plum blossom, perseverance
Browse ready-made Chinese blessing designs — phone wallpapers, cards and prints.
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