In Cantonese, 新年快樂 (xīnnián kuàilè) keeps the same characters and is read san1 nin4 faai3 lok6. At Lunar New Year the greeting you will hear most is 恭喜發財 gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4 (Kung Hei Fat Choi). The rule: no word swap, only new sounds; 新年快樂 is the general Happy New Year and 恭喜發財 is the festive wish for prosperity. A third form, 新年好 san1 nin4 hou2, is also common. Check Mandarin tone marks with the pinyin converter as you compare.
| If you'd say (Mandarin) | Say (Cantonese) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 新年快樂 xīnnián kuàilè | 新年快樂 san1 nin4 faai3 lok6 | Same characters; works for 1 January and for Lunar New Year |
| 新年好 xīnnián hǎo | 新年好 san1 nin4 hou2 | Same characters; written and spoken |
| 恭喜發財 gōngxǐ fācái | 恭喜發財 gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4 | The Lunar New Year greeting, "may you get rich" |
| 恭喜 gōngxǐ (congratulations) | 恭喜 gung1 hei2 | The first half on its own is "congratulations" |
| 發財 fācái (get rich) | 發財 faat3 coi4 | Same word, new reading |
| 過年 guònián (celebrate the new year) | 過年 gwo3 nin4 | Same word, new reading |
| 紅包 hóngbāo (red envelope) | 利是 lei6 si6 | The Cantonese word for the red packet |
| 身體健康 shēntǐ jiànkāng (good health) | 身體健康 san1 tai2 gin6 hong1 | A standard add-on wish |
| 萬事如意 wànshì rúyì (all the best) | 萬事如意 maan6 si6 jyu4 ji3 | Another standard wish |
| 心想事成 xīn xiǎng shì chéng (wishes come true) | 心想事成 sam1 soeng2 si6 sing4 | A third standard wish |
| Situation | Say | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting relatives at Lunar New Year | 恭喜發財, 身體健康 | Greeting plus a wish for health |
| Greeting a shopkeeper in the new year | 恭喜發財 | Often answered with the same words |
| Texting on 1 January | 新年快樂 | The general new year line |
| Receiving a red packet | 利是, then 多謝 | Thank the giver; see 唔該 vs 多謝 |
| Writing a card | 新年好, 萬事如意 | Written register wishes |
| Talking about the festival | 農曆新年 nung4 lik6 san1 nin4 | Lunar New Year, the full name |
Reading 恭喜發財 as a plain "congratulations" at any time of year. It is a Lunar New Year (and business) wish for wealth, so sending it for a birthday or a promotion at another time of year feels off. For ordinary congratulations use 恭喜 alone. The second slip: wishing 新年快樂 only on Lunar New Year morning and nothing richer. Locals add a wish, so pair it with 身體健康 or 萬事如意.
More learner answers on the FAQ page; next Mandarin bridges: shēngrì kuàilè, xièxie, bù kèqi, or browse all Mandarin-to-Cantonese guides.
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