China is now gearing up for one of its biggest cultural holidays, as the Chinese New Year approaches. China operates on both the Gregorian and a traditional Chinese calendar, which gives it the dates for its own New Year. As is normal, the date falls in February rather than the Western January New Year. The date of Chinese New Year will be on February 5, and here are some of the best ways to wish a Happy New Year to those celebrating.
How to wish someone a happy Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is based on the traditional Chinese calendar which revolves around the lunar cycle.
Thus, traditions are a little different to those celebrating the New Year on the Gregorian calendar.
In the Chinese language, there are different ways to say Happy New Year, which can be both formal and informal.
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According to Mandarin and Chinese language and culture blog FluentU, there are a couple of ways to say Happy New Year in China.
Informal ways to wish someone a Happy New Year include:
– 新年好！(xīn nián hǎo)
Have a good New Year!
– 新年快乐！(xīn nián kuài lè)
Have a Happy New Year!
Greetings towards family members and friends are a little different to the informal method, these include:
– Family member:
“奶奶，新年快乐！” (nǎi nǎi，xīn nián kuài lè)
“Grandma, Happy New Year!
– Authority figure:
“王老板，新年好。” (wáng lǎo bǎn，xīn nián hǎo)
“Mr. (Boss) Wong, Happy New Year.”
– Friend:
“小南，新年快乐！” (xiǎo nán，xīn nián kuài lè)
Nan, Happy New Year.
What are Chinese New Year traditions?
Chinese New Year comes with a number of common practices, including cleaning the house, organising money, and forgiving major grudges.
One particular tradition is only shared towards the unmarried, senior and youngest members of the family, with the gift of a ‘hong bao’.
The hong bao is a red envelope including a significant amount of money, which is given to children, seniors and unmarried adults on New Years Eve (this year February 4).