The Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is a time of joy, renewal, and tradition. From decorating homes with vibrant couplets to exchanging red envelopes filled with luck, every gesture carries deep meaning. Words play a special role too, expressed in classic poems, folk sayings, and heartfelt greetings that convey wishes for happiness, health, prosperity, and harmony. In this collection, we’ve compiled 39 inspiring Chinese New Year quotes and greetings that capture the essence of the festival. Perfect for sharing with family, friends, or colleagues, these sayings honor tradition while spreading positivity and festive cheer. Celebrate the new year with words that inspire and uplift.
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Classic Spring Festival Couplets
1. 天增岁月人增寿，春满乾坤福满门。
Pīnyīn: Tiān zēng suìyuè rén zēng shòu, chūn mǎn qiánkūn fú mǎn mén.
Explanation: Heaven adds to the passing years; mankind adds to longevity. Spring fills the universe; blessings fill the home. (A wish for long life and a household full of happiness and good fortune in the new year.)
Many Chinese New Year quotes are rooted in traditional Chinese sayings and proverbs that express blessings, wisdom, and good fortune.
2. 爆竹声中一岁除，春风送暖入屠苏。
Pīnyīn: Bàozhú shēng zhōng yī suì chú, chūnfēng sòng nuǎn rù túsū.
Explanation: The old year is farewelled amidst the sound of firecrackers; the warm spring breeze blows as we drink Tusu wine. (From Wang Anshi’s poem “元日”, depicting the classic scenes of celebrating the Lunar New Year: fireworks and festive wine.)
3. 千门万户曈曈日，总把新桃换旧符。
Pīnyīn: Qiānmén wànhù tóngtóng rì, zǒng bǎ xīn táo huàn jiù fú.
Explanation: The bright rising sun illuminates thousands of doors and households; people always replace the old peachwood charms with new ones. (Continuing the poem, it describes the sunrise on New Year’s Day and the tradition of putting up new Spring Festival couplets to ward off evil and welcome good luck.)
Many Chinese lucky symbols are also featured in traditional Chinese New Year symbols and their meanings to invite fortune at the start of the year.
4. 一帆风顺年年好，万事如意步步高。
Pīnyīn: Yīfānfēngshùn niánnián hǎo, wànshìrúyì bùbù gāo.
Explanation: May you have smooth sailing and each year be better than the last; may everything go as you wish and may you rise higher with every step. (A comprehensive wish for a smooth, successful, and prosperous year ahead.)
5. 门迎春夏秋冬福，户纳东西南北财。
Pīnyīn: Mén yíng chūn xià qiū dōng fú, hù nà dōng xī nán běi cái.
Explanation: May your door welcome blessings from all four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter); may your household gather wealth from all four directions (east, west, south, north). (A wish for all-around good fortune and prosperity from everywhere, all year round.)
6. 生意兴隆通四海，财源茂盛达三江。
Pīnyīn: Shēngyì xīnglóng tōng sìhǎi, cáiyuán màoshèng dá sānjiāng.
Explanation: May your business be prosperous and reach the four seas; may your financial resources be flourishing and extend to the three rivers. (A specific wish for business success and abundant wealth, often used for merchants.)
7. 和顺一门有百福，平安二字值千金。
Pīnyīn: Héshùn yī mén yǒu bǎi fú, píng’ān èr zì zhí qiānjīn.
Explanation: A harmonious and agreeable family gathers a hundred blessings; the two words “peace and safety” are worth a thousand pieces of gold. (Emphasizes that family harmony and safety are the most valuable blessings.)
8. 春回大地风光好，福满人间喜事多。
Pīnyīn: Chūn huí dàdì fēngguāng hǎo, fú mǎn rénjiān xǐshì duō.
Explanation: Spring returns to the earth, the scenery is beautiful; blessings fill the world, happy events are numerous. (A general expression of joy for the beauty of spring and the hope for a happy and blessed new year.)
Many New Year greetings reference familiar Chinese New Year symbols to express wishes for luck and harmony.
Auspicious Greetings & Sayings
9. 恭喜发财，红包拿来！
Pīnyīn: Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái!
Explanation: Congratulations and may you be prosperous, now give me the red envelope! (A playful and direct greeting, often used by children to elders when asking for their lucky money contained in red packets.)
These greetings are commonly shared alongside gifts like Chinese New Year red envelopes during celebrations.
10. 新年快乐，万事如意！
Pīnyīn: Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshìrúyì!
Explanation: Happy New Year! May everything go as you wish! (The most standard and common New Year greeting.)
11. 身体健康，龙马精神！
Pīnyīn: Shēntǐ jiànkāng, lóngmǎ jīngshén!
Explanation: Good health, and the vigor of a dragon and horse! (A wish for robust physical health and energetic spirit.)
12. 阖家欢乐，团团圆圆！
Pīnyīn: Héjiā huānlè, tuántuányuányuán!
Explanation: Family happiness, and a perfect reunion! (A core wish for family joy and togetherness during the festival.)
13. 福如东海，寿比南山！
Pīnyīn: Fú rú Dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ Nánshān!
Explanation: May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea; may your longevity rival the Southern Mountain. (A specific wish for elders, wishing them immense happiness and long life.)
14. 学业进步，金榜题名！
Pīnyīn: Xuéyè jìnbù, jīnbǎngtímíng!
Explanation: Progress in your studies, and have your name on the gold list! (A wish for students to advance in their studies and achieve success in examinations.)
15. 事业有成，步步高升！
Pīnyīn: Shìyè yǒuchéng, bùbùgāoshēng!
Explanation: Success in your career, and rising step by step! (A wish for professional success and promotion.)
16. 财源广进，日进斗金！
Pīnyīn: Cáiyuán guǎngjìn, rì jìn dǒu jīn!
Explanation: May financial resources flow in widely, and may you earn a heap of gold daily! (A strong wish for abundant and continuous wealth.)
17. 吉祥如意，心想事成！
Pīnyīn: Jíxiángrúyì, xīnxiǎngshìchéng!
Explanation: Good luck and happiness, and may all your dreams come true! (A wish for general auspiciousness and the fulfillment of desires.)
18. 笑口常开，青春永驻！
Pīnyīn: Xiàokǒu cháng kāi, qīngchūn yǒng zhù!
Explanation: May you always wear a smile, and may your youth last forever! (A wish for constant happiness and everlasting youthfulness.)
19. 年年有余！
Pīnyīn: Niánnián yǒuyú!
Explanation: May you have abundance year after year! (A homophonic wish, as “鱼 (yú – fish)” sounds like “余 (yú – surplus)”. It symbolizes wishing for surplus wealth and food every year.)
Festive quotes often mention prosperity and reunion, themes also found in lucky Chinese New Year foods.
20. 岁岁平安！
Pīnyīn: Suìsuì píng’ān!
Explanation: Peace and safety all year round! (A simple yet profound wish for peace and security every year.)
21. 招财进宝！
Pīnyīn: Zhāocáijìnbǎo!
Explanation: Usher in wealth and treasure! (A direct invocation for attracting money and valuables.)
22. 万事顺遂！
Pīnyīn: Wànshì shùnsuì!
Explanation: May everything go smoothly! (A wish for all matters to proceed without hindrance.)
23. 鸿运当头！
Pīnyīn: Hóngyùn dāngtóu!
Explanation: Great luck is at your head! (A wish for someone to have great fortune shining upon them.)
24. 金玉满堂！
Pīnyīn: Jīnyùmǎntáng!
Explanation: May your hall be filled with gold and jade! (Symbolizes a household abundant in wealth and treasures, or family members full of talent and virtue.)
25. 一帆风顺！
Pīnyīn: Yīfānfēngshùn!
Explanation: May your journey be smooth sailing! (A metaphor wishing for a smooth and obstacle-free path in life or endeavors.)
26. 龙年大吉！ (Lóng nián)
Pīnyīn: Lóng nián dàjí!
Explanation: Great luck in the Year of the Dragon! (A specific greeting used during a Dragon year, wishing for exceptional good fortune.)
27. 虎虎生威！ (Hǔ nián)
Pīnyīn: Hǔhǔshēngwēi!
Explanation: May you be as vigorous and mighty as a tiger! (Used in a Tiger year, it wishes for vibrant energy and powerful momentum.)
28. 蛇序呈祥！
Pīnyīn: Shé xù chéng xiáng!
Explanation: The Snake year brings forth auspiciousness. (A more formal wish for the Year of the Snake, hoping it will be filled with good omens.)
29. 马到成功！
Pīnyīn: Mǎdàochénggōng!
Explanation: May success be achieved immediately upon your arrival! (Literally “horse arrives at success”, it wishes for instant success in one’s endeavors.)
Classical Poetry Lines
30. 故乡今夜思千里，霜鬓明朝又一年。
Pīnyīn: Gùxiāng jīnyè sī qiānlǐ, shuāngbìn míngzhāo yòu yī nián.
Explanation: Tonight, my hometown thinks of me a thousand miles away; Tomorrow morning, my frosty temples will mark yet another year. (Expresses the sadness of spending New Year’s Eve away from home and the feeling of growing old.)
31. 一年将尽夜，万里未归人。
Pīnyīn: Yī nián jiāngjìn yè, wànlǐ wèi guī rén.
Explanation: The night of the year’s end; The man who has not returned from ten thousand miles away. (A poignant line about the loneliness of not being able to return home for the New Year celebrations.)
32. 万物迎春送残腊，一年结局在今宵。
Pīnyīn: Wànwù yíngchūn sòng cánlà, yī nián jiéjú zài jīnxiāo.
Explanation: All things welcome spring and send off the lingering winter; The year concludes tonight. (States the significance of New Year’s Eve as the transition from the old year to the new.)
33. 听烧爆竹童心在，看换桃符老兴偏。
Pīnyīn: Tīng shāo bàozhú tóngxīn zài, kàn huàn táofú lǎo xìng piān.
Explanation: Listening to the burning firecrackers, my childlike heart remains; Watching the new peach charms put up, my old excitement is especially high. (Describes the enduring joy and excitement felt by both the young and old during the New Year festivities.)
34. 共欢新故岁，迎送一宵中。
Pīnyīn: Gòng huān xīn gù suì, yíngsòng yī xiāo zhōng.
Explanation: Together we rejoice in the new and old year; Welcoming and sending off all in one night. (From an emperor’s poem, it captures the essence of the New Year’s Eve celebration where people collectively bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.)
Folk Proverbs & Sayings
35. 新年新气象。
Pīnyīn: Xīnnián xīn qìxiàng.
Explanation: New Year, new atmosphere. (A common expression hoping for a fresh start and positive changes in the new year.)
36. 瑞雪兆丰年。
Pīnyīn: Ruìxuě zhào fēngnián.
Explanation: A timely snow promises a good harvest. (An agricultural proverb, but snow around the New Year is also seen as an auspicious sign for the coming year.)
37. 拜年拜到初七八，干干净净利利索索。
Pīnyīn: Bàinián bài dào chū qī bā, gāngānjìngjìng lìlisuǒsuǒ.
Explanation: Pay New Year visits until the 7th or 8th [of the first lunar month], then everything is clean and tidy. (Indicates that the intensive period of visiting relatives and friends during the festival usually concludes around the 7th or 8th day.)
38. 一夜连双岁，五更分二年。
Pīnyīn: Yī yè lián shuāng suì, wǔgēng fēn èr nián.
Explanation: One night connects two years; the fifth watch [around 3-5 am] divides two years. (A poetic description of New Year’s Eve night, which literally straddles and separates the old year from the new.)
39. 一年之计在于春。
Pīnyīn: Yī nián zhī jì zàiyú chūn.
Explanation: The whole year’s work depends on a good start in spring. (Though not exclusively for the New Year, it’s often cited then to encourage planning and setting goals for the coming year.)
China Travel Planning Guide&FAQ
🎫Do I need a visa for China?
Yes. Most visitors to China will need a visa to enter the country. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your trip, as well as your nationality. If you are a resident of the US, you must apply for a Chinese visa at the Consular Office in the country. On the other hand, inhabitants of countries like Japan, Canada, and the UK can request a visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
🤔Why is it necessary to install a VPN in China?
In China, the government has strict regulations on internet access, leading to the blocking of popular websites and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube. To access these sites, a VPN is suggested as a means of bypassing the restrictions. It is important to choose a reputable VPN provider and use caution while doing so. ExpressVPN has been historically deemed the most reliable VPN for this purpose, despite being heavily targeted by China’s censors. Nevertheless, it is still a widely preferred option owing to its ease of installation and user-friendliness.
📲Is it necessary to have a Chinese SIM card while in China?
Yes. It is crucial to acknowledge that accessing the internet in China may pose limitations due to certain websites being prohibited or filtered. To ensure uninterrupted connectivity while staying in China, purchasing a local SIM card is advisable. For optimum results, acquiring SIM cards from either China Unicom or China Mobile is recommended. While China Mobile has the most comprehensive coverage in China and is a market leader, China Unicom is more compatible with foreign phones, enabling 3G and 4G services. Or you can purchase a SIM card online.
🔮Should I buy China travel insurance?
Yes. Although China is generally a safe country for travel, it is still possible to encounter accidents or other unexpected occurrences. Therefore, obtaining travel insurance can provide a sense of security and financial protection. In my research, I have found that World Nomads is a reputable travel insurance provider that covers a wide range of activities and is recommended for the average traveler. Nevertheless, I advise you to compare insurance quotes from various providers before making a decision.
🚙Can you rent a car in China?
Unfeasible. Obtaining a Chinese driver’s license to rent a car and self-drive may seem like an option, but it is not a practical choice for most foreigners. Therefore, many prefer to opt for a driver or public transportation when navigating China, as it proves to be more convenient.
✈️What’s the best site to purchase flight tickets for China?
I suggest using Trip for affordable flights to China. As a China-based company, they often offer lower prices compared to foreign companies. Additionally, they offer English-speaking phone support in case of any issues.
🏡What is the best way to book hotels in China?
🎒What do I pack for China?
Travel adapter and converter: China uses a different electrical system than many other countries, so it’s important to bring a travel adapter and converter if you plan to use electronic devices such as phones, cameras, and laptops.
Sunscreen: The UV index in China can be high, particularly during the summer months, and prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Deodorant: It should be noted that finding deodorant in China may not be a simple task.
📚Can a guidebook for traveling to China be useful?
Yes. If you’re planning to travel to China for the first time, a travel guidebook can be a valuable resource, and Lonely Planet is one of the most reputable guides available globally. Its comprehensive itineraries and recommendations take into account your personal preferences and can save you both time and money. The insider tips are also extremely helpful in navigating China’s unique cultural landscape like a local.
Esther Zheng is a local Chinese travel blogger and the founder of Let’s Travel to China. She began exploring China during her university years and has spent over eight years traveling across nearly every province, discovering both famous landmarks and hidden gems. After sharing her authentic experiences online and helping friends plan trips, she turned her passion into a full-time travel resource. Today, Esther provides insider tips, itineraries, and local insights to help travelers experience China like a local. She’s on a mission to make planning unforgettable journeys across China easy, authentic, and inspiring.
