Crash Course in Cantonese for Chinese New Year
恭喜發財
gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4
Happy Chinese New Year!
As the festivities have just started and will last for days, it is never too late to pick up some lucky Cantonese phrases for greeting people during this important Chinese holiday.
First, there is a special hand gesture when greeting people during Chinese New Year - place your left hand over right fisted hand (like this), and then slightly shake your hands up and down.
Then you can start with saying 祝你 (zuk1 nei5; Wish you...), and follow by however many relevant lucky phrases. Below are some popular ones you can choose from:
新年進步
san1 nin4 zeon3 bou6
A great new year
身體健康
san1 tai2 gin6 hong1
Good health
身壯力健
san1 zong3 lik6 gin6
Be strong and fit
工作愉快
gung1 zok3 jyu4 faai3
Happiness at work
生意興隆
saang1 ji3 hing1 lung4
A thriving business
學業進步
hok6 jip6 zeon3 bou6
Great progress at your studies
心想事成
sam1 soeng2 si6 seng4
Get everything you wish for
笑口常開
siu3 hau2 seong4 hoi1
Happiness all the time
青春常駐
ceng1 ceon1 soeng4 zyu3
Forever youth
