Want to say Happy Chinese New Year in Chinese and Mandarin? It’s not gong hei fat choy, so here’s how to give it go.
Chinese New Year falls on February 12 in 2021 and this year is the Year of the Ox.
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the traditional Chinese calendar and celebrations will last just over two weeks, until the full moon.
How to say Happy Chinese New Year in Chinese and Mandarin
There are actually multiple ways to wish friends, family, colleagues or people you meet a Happy Chinese New Year. As with many languages, which greeting you use will depend on who you are addressing – and how.
Journalist, blogger, podcaster and author Qin Xie explained for Metro.co.uk: ‘Happy Chinese New Year is xin nian (new year) kuai le (happy) in Mandarin, and it’s pronounced shin nee-an kwai le (as in the French le).
‘You can also use a shorted version, which is xin nian (new year) hao (good), which is pronounced shin nee-an how. This is probably the one you’d want to say to your friends and family.’
Missed the exact day but still want to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year? No problem. The greeting guo (spend) nian (year) hao (good) – pronounced gor nee-an how – is one that can be used both on the day and shortly after.
To say Happy Chinese New Year in Chinese, Qin Xie also explained: ‘Chinese New Year is also known as chun jie, or spring festival, so you can also wish your friends a happy new year that way.
‘So instead of saying xin nian kuai le for example, you would say chun jie (spring festival) kuai le (happy), which is roughly pronounced chwen jee-eh kwai le.‘
And similarly, xin nian hao can become chun jie hao – pronounced chwen jee-eh how.’
And just like that, you’re now set to wish your friends and families a Happy Chinese New Year!
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