The beginning of a new year is a time of joy and celebration across the world, and Taiwan is no exception. The new year is a time for family gatherings, festive decorations, and the exchange of good wishes. Learning how to express “Happy New Year” in Chinese adds a cultural touch to your celebrations and allows you to connect with Chinese-speaking friends and family.
Two Different New Years in Taiwan
In Taiwan, two significant new year celebrations are observed:
Gregorian New Year (元旦)
The Gregorian New Year is celebrated on January 1st, similar to many other countries around the world.
| 元旦 | ㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄢˋ | Yuándàn | New Year’s Day |
|---|
Lunar New Year (春節)
On the other hand, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (春節), follows the lunar calendar, usually falling between January 21 and February 20. The Lunar New Year 2024 will fall on Saturday 10th.
| 春節 | ㄔㄨㄣ ㄐㄧㄝˊ | Chūnjié | Spring Festival |
|---|
The Gregorian New Year is a time for lively parties with friends, but the Lunar New Year holds a resemblance closer to our Christmas traditions. During this festive season, families gather for a joyous dinner and the exchange of red envelopes.
The term 新年 (ㄒㄧㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ – Xīnnián), literally meaning “new year,” is common to both celebrations.
The Most Common Way to Say Happy New Year in Chinese
新年快樂 is by far the most common and widely accepted greeting, suitable for both the Gregorian New Year and the Lunar New Year.
Happy Lunar New Year/ Spring Festival in Chinese
For those delving into the specifics of the Lunar New Year, a culturally resonant greeting is 春節快樂, which literally translates to “Happy Spring Festival.
Popular Chinese New Year Greetings
While there’s nothing stopping you from using those greetings on January 1st, they are most commonly associated with the Lunar New Year.
- 恭喜發財 (ㄍㄨㄥ ㄒㄧˇ ㄈㄚ ㄘㄞˊ – Gōngxǐ fācái) – Wishing Happiness and Prosperity in the New Year.
- 大吉大利 (ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ – Dàjí dàlì) – Translating to “Lots of luck and profits!”
- 萬事如意 (ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ – Wànshì rúyì) – Expressing a wish for everything to go well.
Chinese Vocabulary Related to New Year
Here are some essential Chinese vocabulary words related to the holiday:
| Chinese | Bopomofo | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 除夕 | ㄔㄨˊ ㄒㄧ | Chúxī | New Year’s Eve |
| 拜年 | ㄅㄞˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ | Bàinián | Paying a New Year’s visit |
| 紅包 | ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄠ | Hóngbāo | Red envelope, a traditional New Year’s gift |
| 煙火 | ㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ | Yānhuā | Fireworks |
| 鞭炮 | ㄅㄧㄢ ㄆㄠˊ | Biānpào | Firecrackers |
| 香檳 | ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄧㄣ | Xiāngbīn | Champagne |
| 福 | ㄈㄨˊ | Fú | Prosperity or good fortune |
In Taiwan, the Gregorian New Year means lively parties, while the Lunar New Year resembles Christmas with family dinners and red envelope exchanges. Learning to say “新年快樂” adds cultural flair, connecting you with Chinese-speaking friends. Whether it’s “大吉大利” or “春節快樂,” these greetings capture the spirit of prosperity and joy, making your New Year celebrations truly special. Cheers to a year of happiness and good fortune—恭喜發財!
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