Hong Kong Expat's Guide to 50 Chinese New Year Greetings in Cantonese and Their Meanings
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in Hong Kong. As an expat, learning Cantonese greetings and their meanings can help you connect with locals and fully embrace the festive spirit. Here’s a guide to 50 common Chinese New Year greetings in Cantonese (with Jyutping pronunciation) and their meanings:
---
1. 恭喜發財 (Gung1 Hei2 Faat3 Coi4)
- Meaning: "Wishing you prosperity and wealth."
- Usage: The most popular greeting, often followed by the playful response "利是逗來 (Lai6 Si6 Dau6 Loi4)" – "Give me a red envelope!"
2. 新年快樂 (San1 Nin4 Faai3 Lok6)
- Meaning: "Happy New Year."
- Usage: A universal greeting for the occasion.
3. 身體健康 (San1 Tai2 Gin6 Hong1)
- Meaning: "Wishing you good health."
- Usage: Health is highly valued, especially for elders.
4. 萬事如意 (Maahn6 Si6 Jyu4 Ji3)
- Meaning: "May everything go as you wish."
- Usage: A versatile and heartfelt wish for success and happiness.
5. 大吉大利 (Daai6 Gat1 Daai6 Lei6)
- Meaning: "Wishing you great luck and prosperity."
- Usage: Often used to wish good fortune in the new year.
6. 龍馬精神 (Lung4 Maa5 Zing1 San4)
- Meaning: "Wishing you energy and vitality like a dragon and horse."
- Usage: A wish for strength and vigor.
7. 財源廣進 (Coi4 Jyun4 Gwong2 Zeon3)
- Meaning: "May wealth come from all directions."
- Usage: A wish for abundant financial success.
8. 步步高昇 (Bou6 Bou6 Gou1 Sing1)
- Meaning: "May you rise step by step."
- Usage: A wish for career advancement and progress.
9. 生意興隆 (Sang1 Ji3 Hing1 Lung4)
- Meaning: "Wishing your business prosperity."
- Usage: Perfect for business owners or colleagues.
10. 學業進步 (Hok6 Jip6 Zeon3 Bou6)
- Meaning: "Wishing you progress in your studies."
- Usage: A wish for students or young learners.
11. 心想事成 (Sam1 Soeng2 Si6 Sing4)
- Meaning: "May all your wishes come true."
- Usage: A heartfelt wish for fulfillment.
12. 出入平安 (Ceot1 Jap6 Ping4 On1)
- Meaning: "Wishing you safety wherever you go."
- Usage: A wish for safe travels and daily life.
13. 福星高照 (Fuk1 Sing1 Gou1 Ziu3)
- Meaning: "May the star of fortune shine upon you."
- Usage: A wish for good luck and blessings.
14. 年年有餘 (Nin4 Nin4 Jau5 Jyu4)
- Meaning: "May you have abundance year after year."
- Usage: Often associated with having surplus wealth or food.
15. 笑口常開 (Siu3 Hau2 Soeng4 Hoi1)
- Meaning: "May you always wear a smile."
- Usage: A wish for happiness and joy.
16. 青春常駐 (Cing1 Ceon1 Soeng4 Zyu6)
- Meaning: "May you stay forever young."
- Usage: A wish for eternal youth and vitality.
17. 家庭幸福 (Gaa1 Ting4 Hang6 Fuk1)
- Meaning: "Wishing your family happiness."
- Usage: A warm wish for family harmony.
18. 一帆風順 (Jat1 Faan4 Fung1 Seon6)
- Meaning: "May your journey be smooth sailing."
- Usage: A wish for smooth progress in life.
19. 鴻運當頭 (Hung4 Wan6 Dong1 Tau4)
- Meaning: "May good fortune be with you."
- Usage: A wish for luck and success.
20. 金玉滿堂 (Gam1 Juk6 Mun5 Tong4)
- Meaning: "May your home be filled with wealth and treasures."
- Usage: A wish for abundance and prosperity.
21. 如意吉祥 (Jyu4 Ji3 Gat1 Coeng4)
- Meaning: "Wishing you good luck and happiness."
- Usage: A versatile and positive wish.
22. 五福臨門 (Ng5 Fuk1 Lam4 Mun4)
- Meaning: "May the five blessings arrive at your door."
- Usage: Refers to longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful death.
23. 招財進寶 (Ziu1 Coi4 Zeon3 Bou2)
- Meaning: "May wealth and treasures come your way."
- Usage: A wish for financial prosperity.
24. 花開富貴 (Faa1 Hoi1 Fu3 Gwai3)
- Meaning: "May wealth and honor bloom like flowers."
- Usage: A poetic wish for prosperity.
25. 竹報平安 (Zuk1 Bou3 Ping4 On1)
- Meaning: "Wishing you peace and safety."
- Usage: A wish for a peaceful life.
26. 福壽雙全 (Fuk1 Sau6 Soeng1 Cyun4)
- Meaning: "Wishing you both happiness and longevity."
- Usage: A wish for a long and fulfilling life.
27. 歲歲平安 (Seoi3 Seoi3 Ping4 On1)
- Meaning: "Wishing you peace year after year."
- Usage: A wish for continuous peace and safety.
28. 吉星高照 (Gat1 Sing1 Gou1 Ziu3)
- Meaning: "May the lucky star shine upon you."
- Usage: A wish for good fortune.
29. 風調雨順 (Fung1 Tiu4 Jyu5 Seon6)
- Meaning: "May the weather be favorable."
- Usage: A wish for harmony and balance.
30. 國泰民安 (Gwok3 Taai3 Man4 On1)
- Meaning: "Wishing the nation peace and prosperity."
- Usage: A wish for the well-being of the country.
31. 家和萬事興 (Gaa1 Wo4 Maahn6 Si6 Hing1)
- Meaning: "A harmonious family brings prosperity."
- Usage: A wish for family harmony and success.
32. 福如東海 (Fuk1 Jyu4 Dung1 Hoi2)
- Meaning: "May your happiness be as vast as the Eastern Sea."
- Usage: A wish for boundless happiness.
33. 壽比南山 (Sau6 Bei2 Naam4 Saan1)
- Meaning: "May your longevity rival the Southern Mountain."
- Usage: A wish for a long life.
34. 龍騰虎躍 (Lung4 Tang4 Fu2 Joek6)
- Meaning: "May you be as vigorous as a dragon and tiger."
- Usage: A wish for energy and success.
35. 瑞氣祥雲 (Seoi6 Hei3 Coeng4 Wan4)
- Meaning: "May auspicious clouds bring good fortune."
- Usage: A poetic wish for blessings.
36. 福壽安康 (Fuk1 Sau6 On1 Hong1)
- Meaning: "Wishing you happiness, longevity, and health."
- Usage: A comprehensive wish for well-being.
37. 百事可樂 (Baak3 Si6 Ho2 Lok6)
- Meaning: "May everything be joyful."
- Usage: A playful wish for happiness.
38. 六六大順 (Luk6 Luk6 Daai6 Seon6)
- Meaning: "Wishing you smooth success in all things."
- Usage: A wish for everything to go smoothly.
39. 七星高照 (Cat1 Sing1 Gou1 Ziu3)
- Meaning: "May the seven stars shine upon you."
- Usage: A wish for good luck and blessings.
40. 八面玲瓏 (Baat3 Min6 Ling4 Lung4)
- Meaning: "May you be skillful and adaptable."
- Usage: A wish for success in all endeavors.
41. 九九同心 (Gau2 Gau2 Tung4 Sam1)
- Meaning: "May we all be united in heart."
- Usage: A wish for unity and harmony.
42. 十全十美 (Sap6 Cyun4 Sap6 Mei5)
- Meaning: "Wishing you perfection in all things."
- Usage: A wish for everything to be perfect.
43. 福祿雙全 (Fuk1 Luk6 Soeng1 Cyun4)
- Meaning: "Wishing you both happiness and prosperity."
- Usage: A wish for a balanced and fulfilling life.
44. 財源滾滾 (Coi4 Jyun4 Gwan2 Gwan2)
- Meaning: "May wealth come pouring in."
- Usage: A wish for abundant financial success.
45. 吉祥如意 (Gat1 Coeng4 Jyu4 Ji3)
- Meaning: "Wishing you good luck and happiness."
- Usage: A versatile and positive wish.
46. 平安喜樂 (Ping4 On1 Hei2 Lok6)
- Meaning: "Wishing you peace and joy."
- Usage: A heartfelt wish for happiness.
47. 福滿乾坤 (Fuk1 Mun5 Kin4 Kwan1)
- Meaning: "May happiness fill the universe."
- Usage: A grand wish for universal blessings.
48. 步步高陞 (Bou6 Bou6 Gou1 Sing1)
- Meaning: "May you rise step by step."
- Usage: A wish for career advancement.
49. 福壽綿綿 (Fuk1 Sau6 Min4 Min4)
- Meaning: "Wishing you endless happiness and longevity."
- Usage: A wish for a long and happy life.
50. 新春大吉 (San1 Ceon1 Daai6 Gat1)
- Meaning: "Wishing you great luck in the new year."
- Usage: A festive wish for the new year.
---
### Tips for Using These Greetings:
- Pair with a smile: A warm smile makes your greeting even more heartfelt.
- Use red envelopes (利是, Lai6 Si6): When giving red envelopes, pair them with a greeting like "恭喜發財 (Gung1 Hei2 Faat3 Coi4)."
- Practice pronunciation: Cantonese tones can be tricky, so practice with locals or language apps.
By using these greetings, you’ll not only spread joy but also deepen your connection with Hong Kong’s vibrant culture. 恭喜發財 (Gung1 Hei2 Faat3 Coi4)! 🧧
