Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), is the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and usually falls between late January and mid-February. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on January 29th, ushering in the Year of the Snake. This festival is celebrated with family reunions, feasts, fireworks, and exchanging greetings to wish good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead.

The Year of the Snake is a special occasion, symbolising wisdom, intuition, and transformation in Chinese culture. Families and relatives gather together to eat rice cakes, give New Year’s greetings, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s more than just a holiday; it’s a time to start a new with hope and to cherish the importance of family. In China, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with grand festivals, traditional performances like dragon dances and lion dances, creating a festive atmosphere.

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FIND EVENTS

Chinese New Year is believed to have originated from ancient agricultural societies as a celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of a new year, with the hope of a bountiful harvest. The festival is more than just a holiday; it’s a key aspect of understanding East Asian culture and the lives of people in these regions.

Do you want to impress your friends this Chinese New Year? Learn some traditional greetings to make their day. We are going to teach you the top 20 Chinese New Year greetings in Mandarin. These phrases will not only enhance your understanding of the culture but also help you connect with your friends and loved ones who celebrate the festival.

“Wishing You” in Mandarin =

Before diving into the specific greetings, it’s helpful to learn how to say “Wishing you” in Mandarin:

• 祝你 (Zhù nǐ) is used for one person.

These phrases can be added before any of the greetings below to make your wishes more complete and personal.

Top 20 Chinese New Year Greetings in Mandarin:

• 新年快樂 (Xīnnián kuàilè): Happy New Year

• 蛇年快乐 (Shé nián kuàilè): Happy Year of Snake

• 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái): Congratulations and make a fortune

• 万事如意 (Wànshì rúyì): May all your wishes come true

• 身体健康 (Shēntǐ jiànkāng): Stay healthy

• 出入平安 (chū rù píng ān) – Wishing you safety and peace wherever you go

• 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) – May all your wishes come true

• 财源广进 (cái yuán guǎng jìn) – May your money and treasures be plentiful
• 招财进宝 (zhāo cái jìn bǎo) – May wealth and treasures fill your home
• 新年大吉 (xīn nián dà jí) – Wishing you luck for the new year
• 吉星高照 (jí xīng gāo zhào) – May good fortune fall upon you
• 好运连连 (hǎo yùn lián lián) — Good luck again and again
•  步步高升(bù bù gāo shēn) — Promotions at every step
• 年年有余 (nián nián yǒu yú) — Surplus year-after-year
• 金玉满堂 (Jīnyù mǎntáng) – May your house be filled with gold and jade
• 一本萬利 (yī běn wàn lì) –  Wishing that you reap a huge profit from a small investment
• 财源滾滾 (cái yuán gǔn gǔn) –  May wealth come pouring in
• 吉星高照 (jí xīng gāo zhào) – May good fortune fall upon you
• 笑口常开 (xiào kǒu cháng kāi) – May your year be filled with abundance of smiles and laughter
• 龙马精神 (lóng mǎ jīng shén) – Wishing you lots of energy and good spirit

Chinese New Year is a time of joy, togetherness, and renewal. By learning these 20 greetings, you can share heartfelt wishes with your friends and those who celebrate. Whether you’re extending good fortune, happiness, or prosperity, these phrases allow you to connect deeply with the cultural essence of the New Year. May the Year of the Snake bring wisdom, success, and transformation to you and your loved ones! 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái)!