Lucky phrases for the Chinese New Year

The Chinese like to greet each other with special phrases called "吉祥話“ (jí xiáng huà) during the Chinese New Year, . The term "吉祥話" (jí xiáng huà) literally means "lucky saying" or "lucky phrases", and it is usually said after the greeting "新年快樂“ (xīn nián kuài lè), which means happy new year.

To the Chinese people, it is important to send good wishes to friends and family at the beginning of a year in hopes of keeping the good luck with their loved ones all year round.

As the Chinese New Year is approaching, let's learn to say a few commonly used "吉祥話“ (jí xiáng huà) today.



1. 恭喜發財 (gōng xǐ fā cái)

Traditional - 恭喜發財
Simplified - 恭喜发财

恭喜 (gōng xǐ) ＝ congratulations
發財 (fā cái) ＝ to make a fortune.

By greeting people 恭喜發財 (gōng xǐ fā cái), you are saying "congratulations for having yet another new year, and I wish you prosperity and wealth.


2. 財源廣進 (cái yuán guǎng jìn)

Traditional - 財源廣進
Simplified - 财源广进

財 (cái) = fortune or wealth
源 (yuán) = origin or source

When we put these two words together, 財源 (cái yuán) means the source of wealth, which is, the source of your income.

廣 (guǎng) = extensive or wide
進 (jìn) = to enter, or incoming.

By saying 財源廣進 (cái yuán guǎng jìn), you are wishing people to have loads of sources of income, and they could receive wealth and fortune in abundance.


3. 步步高陞 (bù bù gāo shēng)

Traditional - 步步高陞
Simplified - 步步高升

步 (bù) = a step

By putting two of these words together, 步步 (bù bù) means every step.

高 (gāo) = tall, or high
陞 (shēng) = to be promoted
{p.s.  when written in this character "升" (shēng), it means to rise or to elevate.}

So together, 步步高陞 (bù bù gāo shēng) means to rise higher in every step of the way. It is referring to a job promotion or elevation of someone's social status.


4. 萬事如意 (wàn shì rú yì)

Traditional - 萬事如意
Simplified - 万事如意

萬 (wàn) ＝ a number unit that means 10,000. It can also be used to refer to things in large quantities.
事 (shì) = matters or affairs.
如 (rú) = according to or the same as
意 (yì) = intention or a wish

So the phrase 萬事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) means everything goes the way you wish for.

We hope you find this posting interesting, and we wish everyone 新年快樂 (xīn nián kuài lè), 萬事如意 (wàn shì rú yì).