How To Say “Happy Lunar New Year” In Asian Languages? | GTE Localize

The Lunar New Year of 2022 is just around the corner. It is one of the most important festivals of many Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea. If you are conducting business in one of these markets or simply have colleagues who come from these countries, it is essential to know about how they celebrate this special occasion and send your best wishes.

In our latest post, we have discussed how different Asian countries observe Lunar New Year. In today’s post, let’s find out how to say “Happy Lunar New Year” or how to send your Lunar New Year wishes in Asian languages.

#1. Happy Lunar New Year in Chinese

Xīnnián hǎo (新年好), meaning “Good New Year” or “New Year Goodness” is the most popular way to wish a Chinese family and close friends a happy Chinese New Year in Mandarin. It is used to replace the normal greeting Nǐ hǎo (你好) during this special occasion.

A more formal way to say Happy Chinese New Year to strangers is Xīnnián kuàilè (新年快乐), which literally means “New Year happiness”. When you want to wish someone prosperity and wealth, say Gōngxǐ fācái (恭喜发财).

Here are some other wishes for Chinese New Year you can use:

Wishes in Chinese
How to say it in Mandarin
Meaning in English
心想事成 
Xīn xiǎng shì chéng
May all your wishes come true!

大吉大利
Dàjí dàlì
Good luck and profits!

身体健康
Shēntǐ jiànkāng
Wishing you good health!

万事如意
Wànshì rúyì
May all go well with you!

年年有余 
Nián nián yǒuyú
Surplus for the new year!

#2.

Happy Lunar New Year in 

Vietnamese

Vietnamese New Year goes by the name Tết Nguyên Đán or Tết Âm Lịch. But most of the time, people just call Tết for short. During this festival, Vietnamese people greet each other by saying Chúc mừng năm mới, in which chúc mừng means to wish/to congratulate, năm mới is the new year. This phrase literally means Happy New Year. Vạn sự như ý (Everything goes as you wish) or An khang thịnh vượng (Health and Propensity) are also often used and heard.

You will find more phrases to wish Vietnamese a happy new year on the table below:

Purposes
Wishes in Vietnamese
Meaning in English

Wealth Wishes
Tiền vô như nước
Money goes in your pocket like water

Tiền ra nhỏ giọt
Money goes out of your pocket like water drops

Phát tài phát lộc
To become prodperous

Career Wishes
Thăng quan tiến chức
Get a promotion

Công thành danh toại
To succeed in their career as they wish

Health Wishes
Sống lâu trăm tuổi
Live a long life

Dồi dào sức khỏe
Plenty of Health

General Wishes to Friends or Children
Hay ăn chóng lớn
Eat well, grow fast

Tiền đầy túi
Pocket full of money

#3.

Happy Lunar New Year in

Korean

Koreans observe two new years based on the Solar Calendar and the Lunar Calendar. The first is Sinjeong (신정), the Korean Solar New Year, and the second is Seollal (설날), the Korean Lunar New Year. In Korea, Seollal is celebrated grander than Sinjeong.

Saehae Bok Mani Badeusipsio (새해 복 많이 받으십시오), meaning Happy New Year,  is used in formal situations, greeting cards or to show a great deal of respect for the addressee. Two more standard Korean New year greetings, which is either too formal or casual and can be used for most situations, is Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요) and Haengbokan Saehae Doeseyo (행복한 새해 되세요).

Check out some other ways to wish Korean a great new year:

Wishes in Korean
How to say it in Korean
Meaning in English
새해 복 많이 받아
Saehae Bok Mani Bada
Happy New Year (Informal)

행복한 휴일 보내세요!
Haengbokan Hyuil Bonaeseyo!
Happy Holidays

휴일 잘 즐기세요!
Hyuil Jal Jeulgiseyo!
Enjoy the holidays!

겨울 휴가 잘 보내세요!
Gyeoul Hyuga Jal Bonaeseyo!
Have a great winter vacation!

내년에 뵙겠습니다!
Naenyeone Boepkketsseumnida!
See you next year!

Wrap Up

Lunar New Year is almost there! It’s time to send your best wishes to all your clients, partners, and colleagues from countries who celebrate this special festival. GTE Localize wishes you a happy and prosperous new year!