Chinese Wishes for New Year and Birthdays

Looking for the perfect Chinese wishes to share during Lunar New Year or on someone’s birthday? Whether you want to impress friends, connect with family, or show respect to business partners, this guide covers over 50 Mandarin and Cantonese phrases with meanings and pronunciation—perfect for any occasion.

Chinese Wishes for New Year and Birthdays

Chinese New Year Wishes

Chinese New Year is a time of renewal, connection, and celebration. This section offers a wide range of blessings categorized by meaning and audience, from wishing prosperity and success to expressing heartfelt joy and peace.

Wishes for Anyone and Any Occasion

新年快乐

Meaning: Happy New Year

  • Mandarin: 新年快乐

  • Pinyin: Xīn nián kuài lè

  • Pronunciation: shin nyen kwai luh

  • Cantonese: 新年快樂

  • Jyutping: San1 nin4 faai3 lok6

  • Pronunciation: san nin fai lok

万事如意

Meaning: May everything go your way

  • Mandarin: 万事如意

  • Pinyin: Wàn shì rú yì

  • Pronunciation: wan shir roo yee

  • Cantonese: 萬事如意

  • Jyutping: Maan6 si6 jyu4 ji3

  • Pronunciation: man si yu yee

心想事成

Meaning: May all your wishes come true

  • Mandarin: 心想事成

  • Pinyin: Xīn xiǎng shì chéng

  • Pronunciation: shin syang shir chung

  • Cantonese: 心想事成

  • Jyutping: Sam1 soeng2 si6 sing4

  • Pronunciation: sum seung si sing

Wishes for Wealth & Prosperity

恭喜发财

Meaning: Wishing you wealth and prosperity

  • Mandarin: 恭喜发财

  • Pinyin: Gōng xǐ fā cái

  • Pronunciation: gong she fa tsai

  • Cantonese: 恭喜發財

  • Jyutping: Gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4

  • Pronunciation: gung hey fat choy

财源广进

Meaning: May wealth flow in from all directions

  • Mandarin: 财源广进

  • Pinyin: Cái yuán guǎng jìn

  • Pronunciation: tsai ywen gwahng jin

  • Cantonese: 財源廣進

  • Jyutping: Coi4 jyun4 gwong2 zeon3

  • Pronunciation: choy yoon gwong jun

招财进宝

Meaning: May you attract wealth and treasure

  • Mandarin: 招财进宝

  • Pinyin: Zhāo cái jìn bǎo

  • Pronunciation: jow tsai jin bao

  • Cantonese: 招財進寶

  • Jyutping: Ziu1 coi4 zeon3 bou2

  • Pronunciation: jiu choy jun bo

财源滚滚

Meaning: May your wealth roll in continuously

  • Mandarin: 财源滚滚

  • Pinyin: Cái yuán gǔn gǔn

  • Pronunciation: tsai ywen goon goon

  • Cantonese: 財源滾滾

  • Jyutping: Coi4 jyun4 gwan2 gwan2

  • Pronunciation: choy yoon gwan gwan

年年有余

Meaning: May you have abundance year after year

  • Mandarin: 年年有余

  • Pinyin: Nián nián yǒu yú

  • Pronunciation: nyen nyen yo yoo

  • Cantonese: 年年有餘

  • Jyutping: Nin4 nin4 jau5 jyu4

  • Pronunciation: nin nin yau yu

Wishes for Happiness, Health & Peace

身体健康

Meaning: Wishing you good health

  • Mandarin: 身体健康

  • Pinyin: Shēn tǐ jiàn kāng

  • Pronunciation: shun tee jyen kahng

  • Cantonese: 身體健康

  • Jyutping: San1 tai2 gin6 hong1

  • Pronunciation: sun tai gin hong

心想事成

Meaning: May all your wishes come true

  • Mandarin: 心想事成

  • Pinyin: Xīn xiǎng shì chéng

  • Pronunciation: shin syang shir chung

  • Cantonese: 心想事成

  • Jyutping: Sam1 soeng2 si6 sing4

  • Pronunciation: sum seung si sing

万事如意

Meaning: May everything go your way

  • Mandarin: 万事如意

  • Pinyin: Wàn shì rú yì

  • Pronunciation: wan shir roo yee

  • Cantonese: 萬事如意

  • Jyutping: Maan6 si6 jyu4 ji3

  • Pronunciation: man si yu yee

Wishes for Success

生意兴隆

Meaning: May your business flourish

  • Mandarin: 生意兴隆

  • Pinyin: Shēng yì xīng lóng

  • Pronunciation: shung yee shing long

  • Cantonese: 生意興隆

  • Jyutping: Sang1 ji3 hing1 lung4

  • Pronunciation: sang yee hing lung

蒸蒸日上

Meaning: May everything rise day by day

  • Mandarin: 蒸蒸日上

  • Pinyin: Zhēng zhēng rì shàng

  • Pronunciation: jung jung ri shang

  • Cantonese: 蒸蒸日上

  • Jyutping: Zing1 zing1 jat6 soeng5

  • Pronunciation: jing jing yat seung

Wishes for Friends and Family

新年快乐

Meaning: Happy New Year

  • Mandarin: 新年快乐

  • Pinyin: Xīn nián kuài lè

  • Pronunciation: shin nyen kwai luh

  • Cantonese: 新年快樂

  • Jyutping: San1 nin4 faai3 lok6

  • Pronunciation: san nin fai lok

合家欢乐

Meaning: Wishing the whole family happiness

  • Mandarin: 合家欢乐

  • Pinyin: Hé jiā huān lè

  • Pronunciation: huh jia hwan luh

  • Cantonese: 合家歡樂

  • Jyutping: Hap6 gaa1 fun1 lok6

  • Pronunciation: hap ga fun lok

Wishes for Business Clients

生意兴隆

Meaning: May your business flourish

  • Mandarin: 生意兴隆

  • Pinyin: Shēng yì xīng lóng

  • Pronunciation: shung yee shing long

  • Cantonese: 生意興隆

  • Jyutping: Sang1 ji3 hing1 lung4

  • Pronunciation: sang yee hing lung

财源滚滚

Meaning: May your wealth roll in

  • Mandarin: 财源滚滚

  • Pinyin: Cái yuán gǔn gǔn

  • Pronunciation: tsai ywen goon goon

  • Cantonese: 財源滾滾

  • Jyutping: Coi4 jyun4 gwan2 gwan2

  • Pronunciation: choy yoon gwan gwan

Wishes for Colleagues and Bosses

工作顺利

Meaning: May your work go smoothly

  • Mandarin: 工作顺利

  • Pinyin: Gōng zuò shùn lì

  • Pronunciation: gong dzwor shwin lee

  • Cantonese: 工作順利

  • Jyutping: Gung1 zok3 seon6 lei6

  • Pronunciation: gung jok sun lei

事业有成

Meaning: May your career be successful

  • Mandarin: 事业有成

  • Pinyin: Shì yè yǒu chéng

  • Pronunciation: shir yeh yo chung

  • Cantonese: 事業有成

  • Jyutping: Si6 jip6 jau5 sing4

  • Pronunciation: si yip yau sing

Wishes for Kids and Students

学业有成

Meaning: May you succeed in your studies

  • Mandarin: 学业有成

  • Pinyin: Xué yè yǒu chéng

  • Pronunciation: shweh yeh yo chung

  • Cantonese: 學業有成

  • Jyutping: Hok6 jip6 jau5 sing4

  • Pronunciation: hok yip yau sing

学习进步

Meaning: May you improve in learning

  • Mandarin: 学习进步

  • Pinyin: Xué xí jìn bù

  • Pronunciation: shweh shee jin boo

  • Cantonese: 學習進步

  • Jyutping: Hok6 zaap6 zeon3 bou6

  • Pronunciation: hok jap jun bo

Wishing Chinese New Year – Tips & Etiquette

Knowing what to say is just part of the tradition—how and when you say it matters too. This section explains key etiquette points and tips so your wishes are not only well-chosen but also well-received.

When to Say Chinese New Year Wishes

  • Start of Lunar New Year: Begin offering wishes from New Year’s Eve through the first two weeks (especially during the first 5 days).

  • Earlier is fine: In professional contexts, it’s okay to send greetings a few days before.

  • In-person greetings: If visiting someone’s home, always say your wishes when you enter.

Tailoring Wishes Based on Relationship

  • To Elders: Use formal, respectful phrases (e.g., 健康长寿 Jiàn kāng cháng shòu – “Wishing long life and health”).

  • To Friends: Keep it light and warm (e.g., 心想事成 Xīn xiǎng shì chéng – “May all your wishes come true”).

  • To Business Clients: Always include prosperity-oriented phrases (e.g., 财源滚滚 Cái yuán gǔn gǔn – “May wealth roll in”).

Gifts & Greetings Go Together

  • Red Envelopes (红包 hóng bāo): Commonly paired with phrases like 恭喜发财 Gōng xǐ fā cái.

  • Fruit Baskets or Tea Sets: Pair with 吉祥如意 Jí xiáng rú yì – “Auspiciousness and everything as you wish”.

  • Avoid unlucky words: Never mention death, sickness, or the number 4 when giving greetings.

Mandarin vs. Cantonese – Which to Use?

  • Mainland China / Taiwan / Overseas Mandarin speakers: Use Mandarin greetings.

  • Hong Kong / Guangdong / many overseas Chinese communities: Use Cantonese.

  • Safe choice in multicultural settings: Say both, or choose a neutral English wish like “Happy Chinese New Year!”

Chinese Birthday Wishes

Birthday wishes in Chinese culture vary by age, relationship, and context. Below are warm and meaningful greetings for children, elders, friends, and more—each with pronunciation and regional variation.

General Birthday Wishes

生日快乐

Meaning: Happy birthday

  • Mandarin: 生日快乐

  • Pinyin: Shēng rì kuài lè

  • Pronunciation: shung rih kwai luh

  • Cantonese: 生日快樂

  • Jyutping: Saang1 jat6 faai3 lok6

  • Pronunciation: saang yat fai lok

岁岁平安

Meaning: Wishing you peace year after year

  • Mandarin: 岁岁平安

  • Pinyin: Suì suì píng ān

  • Pronunciation: sway sway ping ahn

  • Cantonese: 歲歲平安

  • Jyutping: Seoi3 seoi3 ping4 on1

  • Pronunciation: seui seui ping on

天天开心

Meaning: May you be happy every day

  • Mandarin: 天天开心

  • Pinyin: Tiān tiān kāi xīn

  • Pronunciation: tyan tyan kai shin

  • Cantonese: 天天開心

  • Jyutping: Tin1 tin1 hoi1 sam1

  • Pronunciation: tin tin hoi sum

Birthday Wishes for Elders

福如东海

Meaning: May your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea

  • Mandarin: 福如东海

  • Pinyin: Fú rú dōng hǎi

  • Pronunciation: foo roo dong high

  • Cantonese: 福如東海

  • Jyutping: Fuk1 jyu4 dung1 hoi2

  • Pronunciation: fook yu dung hoi

寿比南山

Meaning: May you live as long as the Southern Mountain

  • Mandarin: 寿比南山

  • Pinyin: Shòu bǐ nán shān

  • Pronunciation: show bee nan shan

  • Cantonese: 壽比南山

  • Jyutping: Sau6 bei2 naam4 saan1

  • Pronunciation: sau bay nam saan

健康长寿

Meaning: Wishing long life and good health

  • Mandarin: 健康长寿

  • Pinyin: Jiàn kāng cháng shòu

  • Pronunciation: jyen kahng chang show

  • Cantonese: 健康長壽

  • Jyutping: Gin6 hong1 coeng4 sau6

  • Pronunciation: gin hong cheung sau

FAQ

How do you say “Happy Chinese New Year” in Mandarin and Cantonese?

  • In Mandarin: 新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè), pronounced “shin nyen kwai luh”
  • In Cantonese: 新年快樂 (San nin faai lok), pronounced “san nin fai lok”

What are the best New Year wishes for business clients?

Use phrases like 财源滚滚 (Cái yuán gǔn gǔn) – “May wealth roll in” and 合作愉快 (Hé zuò yú kuài) – “Happy cooperation”

Are birthday wishes different for elders and children?

Yes. For elders, say 寿比南山 (Shòu bǐ nán shān) – “May you live long”; for kids, say 快高长大 (Kuài gāo zhǎng dà) – “Grow up strong and fast”

Can I mix Mandarin and Cantonese greetings in one card?

Yes, especially for multicultural audiences. Just be sure to keep the tone consistent and respectful.

Is it okay to send New Year wishes before the official date?

Absolutely. Many businesses and friends send greetings up to a week in advance, especially if mailing cards or gifts.