How to say Happy New Year in Chinese as we ring in the Year of the Ox – Manchester Evening News

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Today marks the beginning of the two-week-long Chinese New Year celebrations, otherwise known as the Spring Festival.

The annual event celebrates the end of one Lunar New Year and the beginning of another.

That’s why Chinese New Year is celebrated later in the year, rather than the January 1 date observed by the Gregorian calendar.

The date changes yearly, but falls between January 21 and February 20.

This year, it’s Friday February 12 that billions across the globe will ring in the Year of the Ox.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Sadly the celebrations will be much more subdued than usual this year.

Manchester will go without its usual dragon parade through the city centre, while Chinatown’s restaurants will be stripped back to takeaway-only offerings.

If you’re planning to celebrate Chinese New Year at home, here are a few ideas – but you’ll also want to know how to wish your loved ones a Happy New Year.

The most simple is Happy New Year: 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè) .

This is pronounced as shin nee-an kwai le .

Another common greeting is gong hei fat choy but this doesn’t literally mean Happy New Year.

Instead you are delivering a wish for prosperity and that the recipient will have a wealthy year ahead.

As this year is the Year of Ox, to say “happy ox year” it would be 牛年快乐 (niú nián kuài lè) in Mandarin.

The Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival, falls in line with the Chinese Zodiac which runs in a 12-year cycle.

Therefore, some may say Happy Spring Festival which is 春节快乐 (chūn jiē kuài lè) in Mandarin.