Chinese New Year greetings you must know
Chinese New Year is just around the corner and the season for well-wishers is upon us. Most people know two phrases – 新年快乐 xīnnián kuàilè which means “happy new year” and 恭喜发财 gōngxǐ fācái which means “I wish you prosperity”. That was ok back in the 90s for an Asian-American kid. But nowadays the greetings have gotten a whole lot fancier and the rhyming game is at a whole different level.
Butthere are different greetings for different people and situations.
General ones
牛年大吉！
Niú nián dàjí!
Good luck for the Year of the Ox!
万事如意！
Wànshì rúyì!
May all go well with you!
心想事成！
Xīn xiǎng shì chéng!
May all your wishes come true!
一帆风顺！
Yīfān fēngshun!
Wishing you every success!
岁岁平安！
Suì suì píng'ān!
Wishing you everlasting peace and safety for the years to come!
阖家幸福！
Hé jiā xìngfú!
Wishing you a happy home!
To elders
健康长寿！/ 福寿安康！
Jiànkāng chángshòu! / Fúshòu ānkāng!
May you have good health and longevity!
福如东海，寿比南山！
Fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān!
May your happiness be as immense as the Eastern Sea and may you live as long as the Southern Mountains!
To business people
生意兴隆！
Shēngyì xìnglong!
Wishing your business prospers!
财源广进！
Cáiyuán guǎng jìn!
May a river of gold flow into your pockets!
To colleagues
工作顺利！
Gōngzuò shùnlì!
May everything go well with your work!
步步高升！
Bùbùgāo sheng!
Wishing you frequent promotions!
事业有成！
Shìyè yǒu chéng!
Wishing you a successful career!
To students
学习进步！
Xuéxí jìnbù!
Wishing you progress in your studies! 学业有成！
Xuéyè yǒu chéng!
Wishing you a great achievement in your studies! 金榜题名！
Jīnbǎng tímíng!
Wish you success in the exam! (specifically for someone who has an important exam such as the 高考 gaokao coming up)
