Top 10 Chinese New Year’s Words

The year of the snake will be slithering our way as the year of the dragon comes to an end! There are all these customs: wearing red, eating dumplings and giving and receiving red envelopes.

Why wear red? Well, it brings good luck and wards off evil. That’s why the envelopes, decorations and signature color of Chinese New Year’s, weddings and other major events are red.

Why eat dumplings? It’s a tradition to eat dumplings because they resemble ancient Chinese currency. It’s lucky since the dumplings represent wealth and a prosperous future.

Why give or get red envelopes? Seems like luck being the reason is the trend. It’s lucky to give money in red envelopes.

So with all these customs, traditions and sayings, I’ve prepared you a list with all the jargon you’ll need for this holiday.

10. 饺子 (jiǎo zi): dumplings

It’s a tradition to eat dumplings during Chinese New Year’s.  Families will often make them from scratch.

我没有吃过饺子，很想尝尝它的味道

wǒ méi yǒu chī guò jiǎo zi, hěn xiǎng cháng cháng tā de wèi dào

I have not eaten dumplings before, I really want to try its taste

9. 红包 (hóng bāo) red envelope

During Chinese New Year’s, weddings and birthdays, red envelopes will be given.  Usually parents, grandparents and other elders will give red envelopes to children and those that aren’t married.

快过年了，我给您发个红包

kuài guò nián le, wǒ gěi nín fā gè hóng bāo

It’s almost New Year’s, I’ll give you a red envelope

8. 放鞭炮 (fàng biān pào): setting off firecrackers

The Chinese set off firecrackers because they’re suppose to scare away evil spirits. It’s a great and fun way to start off the new year.

说起过年，人们自然就会想起放鞭炮

shuō qǐ guò nián, rén men zì rán jiù huì xiǎng qǐ fàng biān pào

When speaking of New Year’s, people will automatically think of setting off firecrackers

7. 守夜 (shǒu yè): vigil; staying up until midnight/through the night

Similar to families that will stay up until midnight for Christmas (to open presents) or New Year’s as they celebrate out in Times Square, the Chinese will stay up through the night as well.

半夜，一位影楼守夜老人报警抓小偷

bàn yè, yī wèi yǐng lóu shǒu yè lǎo rén bào jǐng zhuā xiǎo tōu

In the middle of the night, an elderly man that stayed up late called the police to report a thief

6. 舞狮 (wǔ shī): lion dance

You’ve seen those lions dancing around and blinking their eyes at major parades. These lion dances are a major part of celebrating the New Year.

舞狮自然是春节里最受人喜爱的表演活动

wǔ shī zì rán shì chūn jié lǐ zuì shòu rén xǐ’ ài de biǎo yǎn huó dòng

Lion dancing is naturally the New Year’s most adored performance and activity

5. 拜年 (bài nián) say Happy New Year; pay a new year call

Often children will say Happy New Year and wish their elders wealth, prosperity and good health in return for a 红包.

天亮就要出门去拜年了

tiān liàng jiù yào chū mén qù bài nián le

At dawn, we should leave to wish others a Happy New Year

4. 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè): Happy New Year

A necessary phrase to learn for the occasion.

祝你新年快乐

zhù nǐ xīn nián kuài lè

Wish you a Happy New Year

3. 生肖 (shēng xiào): zodiac

The Chinese zodiac have 12 different animals that change every year.  This year will be the year of the snake which will bring more steadfast progress.

十二生肖，是中国传统文化的重要部分

shí èr shēng xiào, shì zhōng guó chuán tǒng wén huà de zhòng yào bù fèn

The twelve zodiac signs are a part of China’s culture and tradition

2. 回老家 (huí lǎo jiā): return to hometown

The Chinese will usually go back to their hometown where the elders (usually grandparents) are living and celebrate with their family there.

今年是我长大后第一次回老家

jīn nián shì wǒ zhǎng dà hòu dì yī cì huí lǎo jiā

This is the first year going back to my hometown since Ive grown up

1. 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái): kung hei fat choi; wish you wealth

You’ve got to know this phrase no matter what end you’re on. If you’re on the receiving end  (getting the red envelope), learn it or you won’t get one. If you’re on the giving end, know it since it’d be embarrassing to not give it.

最常用的贺年语就是恭喜发财

zuì cháng yòng de hè nián yǔ jiù shì gōng xǐ fā cái

The most commonly used New Year’s phrase is kung hei fat choi

Any other good phrases you think should be added? Comment below!

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